Basketball Rules On Changing The Possession Arrow

The possession arrow in basketball indicates which team has possession of the ball. According to the official rules of the National Basketball Association, "a team is in possession when a player is holding, dribbling or passing the ball. Team possession ends when the defensive team gains possession or there is a field goal attempt." The opponent can gain possession by stealing the ball from the offensive team or can be awarded possession for various infractions by the offensive team.

  1. Jump Ball Possession

    • Ball possession at the beginning of the game and overtimes is determined by a jump ball in the center circle. Two opponents face off in the center circle and try to tap the ball to a teammate after the official tosses it up. Possession goes to the team that receives the ball from the jumper's tap.

    Change of Possession for Jump Ball Violations

    • The ball possession is given to the opposing team when any of the following happens during the jump ball: a jumper touches the ball after it's tossed but before it reaches the highest point, a jumper steps out of his half of the center circle before the ball has been touched, a jumper catches the ball before it touches the floor, basket, backboard or a non-jumping player, or a non-jumper steps into the circle before the ball is tapped.

    Change of Possession for Other Violations

    • When the offensive team commits certain violations, the possession of the ball is given to the opponent out of bounds at the sideline. These violations include a three-seconds offensive violation, illegal assist, offensive screen set out-of-bounds, offensive free throw violation, flagrant foul penalty, traveling, double dribbling, striking or kicking the ball (except in a throw-in), swinging the elbows, the 24-second violation, offensive basket interference, throw-in violation, a five-second back-to-the-basket violation, as well as a loose ball foul inside the free throw line extended.

    Change of Possession for Wild or Out-of-Bounds Balls

    • Ball possession is given to the opponent if the ball enters the basket from underneath, passes directly behind the backboard, hits the horizontal basket support, hits the vertical basket support, or when a ball goes out-of-bounds on the baseline or sideline.

    Change of Possession After Field Goal Attempt

    • After a failed field goal attempt, the defensive team may catch the rebound ball and gain possession. When the field goal attempt is successful, the defensive team gains possession of the ball and takes it out at the baseline.