Jump ball
The jump ball is a variant of basketball to bring the ball into play. In the NBA it is still used in the game, in most other leagues it is only used at the beginning of the game. Previously it was also performed at the beginning of each period and when there was a tie for the ball. A fight for the ball is undecided when two or more players from opposing teams have grabbed the ball and it can no longer be played without too much physical effort. Since 2004, in many leagues (not in the NBA), the so-called “throw-in arrow” has been used in these two “jump ball situations” via the rule “alternating possession”, which gives both teams alternate possession in such situations. In the early years of basketball there was even a jump ball after each basket. However, since this was too much of an advantage for a team with a particularly tall player, this was abolished in favor of the throw-in at the baseline.
When performing the jump ball, 2 opposing players (mostly the center ) stand in the middle of the center line, each in their own half of the field, shoulder to shoulder. The remaining players of both teams are distributed outside the center circle and are allowed to move freely there. The ball is thrown vertically between the two players by the referee, whereupon they jump as high as possible in order to tap the ball in the direction of another player, who can then catch it and bring it under his control. After correct execution of the jump ball, the music box is started. Each of the two jumpers may touch the ball twice, after which he must have touched a non-jumper or the ground before one of the two jumpers can pick up the ball himself.