Jump signals | Jump-ball plays

Control of the ball is paramount to the success of a basketball team and jump-ball situations afford additional opportunities for such ball possession. Generally, at least eight to ten jump-ball situations will occur during a game and the team that gains possession o£ these toss-up situations increases greatly their chances for victory.

A jump-ball situation may occur at the center circle or at the offensive or defensive free-throw circles. The same basic techniques may be used to gain possession at all three positions but greater emphasis must be placed on defense when jumping at the defensive circle, since the opponents can tap the ball into an immediate scoring position.

Most teams use one of two jump-ball formations:

1. Box formation (Chart  146). This formation is strong defensively and may be used at any of the jump positions. It is particularly recommended when jumping at the defensive free-throw circle.

2. Diamond formation (Chart 147). This formation presents excellent offensive scoring situations but is weaker defensively than the box formation. Its use at the defensive jump circle should be limited to those situations when control of the tap is expected.

CHART 146. The box formation. Cutting methods similar to those shown may be used to gain possession when the opposing jumper is expected to control the tap. Movement of the players may be clockwise or counter-clockwise but each player must know his assignment and the movement of all players coordinated.

CHART 147. The diamond formation. 5 must carry the major defensive responsibility. As 5 drops back for defense, 3 and 4 must cut in front of the most likely receivers. 2 may cut either left or right or guard against a back tap.

CHART 148. Influencing the direction of the tap. On the jump alignment, 4 slides down toward X3 to discourage tap in this direction. 5 stays close to X5. One side of X2 is left open and the jumper, X1, is "invited" to tap to X2. On the toss, 5 converges with 2 onto X2 in an effort to intercept tap.

CHART 149. Jump-ball play at the offensive circle. 1 taps to 2. 3 sets screen for 5 who cuts for basket taking pass from 2.

Both the box and diamond formations have considerable merit and a variety of cutting moves designed to gain control and a number of plays designed to score may be successfully used from both formations. Charts 146 and 147 illustrate cutting methods from each formation that may be used in efforts to secure ball possession. These cutting methods are only necessary when the opposing jumper has the height advantage and should control the tap.

Jump Signals

Many teams use a number of jump signals to advantage. A desire to convey to teammates the direction of the tap is one key reason for use of signals. Simply calling the player's name to whom the tap may go is used by some. Others call some word or number to indicate left or right, front or back, while others may rub one side of the body to indicate tap direction. The "clock" method is preferred by many in which the jump circle is assumed as the face of a clock. If a player calls "12", he intends to tap the ball straight ahead to the 12 o'clock position. Should he call "3" he will tap to his right to the 3 o'clock position, and so on.

Another opportunity for use of signals is when the jumper assumes he definitely can or cannot get the tap. If he is almost certain of tap control, he may call "sure" jump and the team may be ready to initiate an offensive play to score. If he is doubtful of his ability to get the tap, he may call "safe" jump to allow his teammates to go on the defensive using practiced cutting methods to attempt to gain ball possession. Of course, calling a key to a special jump-ball play is another reason for use of signals.

When the opposing jumper has the height advantage, "inviting" him to tap to a certain teammate is a sound technique in gaining ball control. On the jump alignment, one opponent should be left open to encourage the opposing jumper to tap to this player. On the toss, players should converge on this opponent to intercept the tap. The technique is diagrammed in Chart 148.

Jump-Ball Plays

Charts 149 through 153 diagram jump-ball plays that can be used successfully. Most of the plays can be adapted for use at any of the three jump locations. In addition, the reader is referred to Charts 100 and 101 in Chapter 8 for two jump-ball plays that often result in fast-break situations.

CHART 150. Jump-ball play at the offensive circle. 1 taps to 2 and cuts outside 2 for a handoff and drive.

CHART 151. A "back-tap" play. On the toss, 4 and 5 screen their respective opponents away from the ball and 3 cuts into backcourt to receive the tap.

CHART 152. A very simple tip-off play. As 1 taps to 2, 3 cuts hard for the basket for pass. This play can also be used from the defensive jump circle.

CHART 153. A tip-off play. 1 taps to 3 who hands off to 5 cutting by. 2 sets screen for 1 who cuts for basket for pass from 5.

Are You Ready To Move Onto The Next Lesson? Click Here...