In basketball, the Alternating Possession rule is a method used to determine which team receives the ball in jump ball situations after the opening tip-off.
Instead of using a physical jump ball, the team awarded possession is determined by the direction of the possession arrow.
Here's how it works: The team that loses the opening tip-off is given the initial possession arrow, meaning they will receive the ball the next time a jump ball situation occurs.
After this, the arrow switches to point to the other team, indicating they will get the ball in the following jump ball scenario. The arrow continues to alternate between the two teams for the remainder of the game.
The alternating possession rule was introduced in college basketball in 1981 to help speed up gameplay and prevent taller players from dominating ball possession.
It has since been adopted by most amateur leagues below the college level, including high school and youth basketball. However, professional leagues like the National Basketball Association still use jump balls to determine possession in these situations.
In addition to jump balls, the alternating possession rule is used when officials are unable to determine which team should receive the ball after an unclear out-of-bounds play.
Rather than forcing the referees to make an uncertain call, the team with the possession arrow is awarded the ball.
Another key aspect of the rule is that the team with the possession arrow at the end of the first, second, and third quarters will start with the ball in the following quarter.
This ensures that teams alternate possession to start each period.
While the alternating possession rule may not be as exciting as a physical jump ball, it provides a fair and efficient way to determine ball possession in situations where a clear call cannot be made.
It helps keep the game moving and ensures that both teams have equal opportunities to gain possession throughout the contest.