A jump ball is the method used to begin 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.
A jump ball occurs at the start of the game (called the opening tip), to begin the start of overtime, and to settle any tie-up situations. The latter occurs 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.
However, college basketball uses the possession arrow to settle all jump ball situations after the opening tip. Whenever such an event occurs, the team that the possession arrow is currently "pointing to" gets the ball. The arrow then rotates to point to the other team. At the start of the game, the team that the arrow points to first is the one 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.
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