Understanding Alternating Possession Rules in Basketball Officiating

This training video highlights the critical importance of readiness for officials at the start of the second half. It illustrates how the Trail official effectively positions themselves to observe the inbound action without being too close to the inbounder. A significant teaching point is emphasized regarding the alternating possession arrow, which remains unchanged even when a foul occurs before the ball is legally touched. In this scenario, an offensive player commits a push-off, leading to the defensive team gaining possession while retaining the arrow for the next alternating possession throw-in. This reinforces the need for officials to be aware of the implications of fouls on possession rules, ensuring accurate and fair officiating throughout the game.

Play BreakDown

Sac State AP Rules Play: This is the opening throw in to start the second half. A great reminder that we need to be ready to officiate from the very start. The Trail does a great job backing out and not being too tight to the inbounder so he can observe the action. The biggest teaching point is that the alternating possession arrow doesn’t change if there is a foul by the offense or defense before the ball is legally touched. On this play, the offensive player White #10 pushes off before the ball is legally touched, so the defensive team will take over at the 28 foot line in their front court with 20 seconds on the shot clock. The White team will keep the arrow for the next AP throw in. Note, let’s say on this play before the offensive push off we called a holding foul by Black #55 of the defense, the White team would inbound the ball, and still keep the AP arrow.