Basketball Live Vs. Dead Ball

Basketball Live vs. Dead Ball

At all times in a basketball game, the ball is either live or dead. The referees control the state of the ball by blowing their whistles during play. Keep reading to learn more about the difference between live and dead balls in basketball.

Basketball Live Ball Rules

When the ball is live, the game clock and shot clock are ticking. It is very easy to know when the ball is live since players will be moving on the floor whenever that is the case. The ball becomes live when the referee gives a team possession of the ball to put it into play.

There are three ways to put the ball into play that will make it live in basketball:

1. Jump ball
2. Throw-in
3. Free throw

Basketball Jump Ball

On a jump ball, one player from each team stands in the center circle as the referee tosses the ball into the air. The ball becomes live once the referee releases the ball. Both players will attempt to tip the ball to a teammate to gain possession.

Basketball Throw-In

On an in-bounds pass, the referee will give the ball to a player on the team with possession. This player stands out of bounds on the sidelines or baselines and passes it to a teammate on the floor. The ball becomes live once the player gets the ball from the referee.

Basketball Free Throw

On a free throw, the referee gives the foul shooter the ball to shoot. Once the shooter gets the ball, the ball becomes live. If the shooter misses the free throw, any player is able to grab the live ball.

Basketball Dead Ball Rules

There are rules in basketball that determine when the referee will blow their whistle and call a dead ball. A dead ball will be called during a basketball game for the following reasons:

• A field goal or free throw is made
• The ball goes out of bounds
• A foul is called
• A violation is called
• A timeout is called
• A held-ball situation
• When a player is injured
• The game clock expires at the end of each half
• When a mistake is made by the shot clock or game clock operator

Basketball Substitutions and Turnovers

A substitution is when a player on the floor is replaced by another player on the bench. Teams can make unlimited substitutions during a game, but only when the ball is dead.

Turnovers can be categorized as either live or dead ball turnovers. A live ball turnover is when the ball stays in play, such as a stolen pass, while a dead ball turnover occurs when the ball must be inbounded, like after a travel. Usually, live ball turnovers are worse for a team because they can more easily lead to a fast break.

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