The jump ball that starts the game, known as the opening tip, takes place at center court.

A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It is similar to a faceoff in ice hockey. Two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after it is tossed up into the air in between them by an official. Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005. ... A typical faceoff at centre ice A faceoff is the method used to begin play in ice hockey. ... Ice hockey, known simply as hockey in areas where it is more common than field hockey, is a team sport played on ice. ...

In the NBA, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game (called the opening tip), the start of any extra period, to settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball, and to settle any held balls. Held balls occur when two opposing players both lay equal claim to the ball, and after trying to wrestle it from each other, end up in a stalemate. A jump ball may also be called if there are different calls by two or more referees. The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ...

However, most competitions other than the NBA use the alternating possession rule to settle all jump ball situations after the opening tip. This uses a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table. Whenever such a jump ball situation occurs, the team whose basket that the possession arrow is currently pointing to gets the ball. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team. At the start of the game, the arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip.

The alternating possession arrow rule went into effect in college basketball in 1981. Ever since, it has been controversial. Proponents argue that jump balls give the team with taller players and better leapers an unfair advantage over the other. But those favoring a rules change argue that the possession arrow has frequently undone a trailing team's defensive effort because it is the other team's turn to get the ball. 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The International Basketball Federation, with recommendation by NCAA Men's Supervisor of Officials Hank Nichols, on the FIBA World Technical Commission at the time, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003, with a major difference. In overtime periods, play begins with the arrow. In other organizations, another jump ball is conducted. The International Basketball Federation (French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball), more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA (pronounced ), is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

FIBA mandated that the Union of European Basketball Leagues (ULEB), the conductor of the Euroleague and ULEB Cup, adopt the FIBA rule in 2005 as part of FIBA sanctioning the Euroleague effective the 2005-06 season. Previously, the ULEB used the NBA jump ball rules. The Euroleague is a high-caliber professional basketball league with teams from all over Europe. ...

See also

• Rules of basketball

The rules of basketball are the rules and regulations that govern the play, officating, equipment and procedures of basketball. ...

External links

• Moran, Malcolm. "Possession arrow creates hoops impasse", USA Today, 2004-08-27.