Tip Off

The tip-off is a jump ball between a player from each team that occurs in the center circle. Every basketball game is started using a tip-off.

The term “tip-off” (or its shortened “tip”) is effectively synonymous with “kickoff time” in other sports. Reporters and game previews will list the start time next to tip-off. For example, if a game starts at 5:00, it is not uncommon to hear the term “five o’clock tip”.

Although the tip-off is a simple concept, there are a few specific rules that must be followed to keep things running smoothly:

• the jumpers must wait until the ball reaches its highest point before it is touched;
• the jumpers cannot grab the ball, they must tip it;
• all other players must remain outside the center circle;
• all other players must remain still until the ball is tipped.

A jump ball is a method of starting or restarting play. The referee tosses the ball in one hand for two opposing players to jump up to. The jumping players will try and tip it to a teammate. On tip-offs, each team chooses one of their players to participate in the jump ball. This usually means both team’s centers compete for the jump ball. This is because they are the tallest players on the court and have the best chance of reaching the highest.

In the NBA, every jump ball situation requires an actual jump ball. In college basketball, though, the alternating possession arrow determines which team gets the ball. The possession arrow initially goes to the team that lost the tip-off.