jump ball
noun
: a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate
also
: a ball put into play in this manner
Examples of jump ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Odunze is also a reliable blocker in the run game and treats every jump ball as an opportunity to prove himself.
—
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
On the next possession, Davis swallowed up a Betts layup attempt for a jump ball, roaring and flexing to her bench in glee.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024
Both fought hard for possession, which resulted in the referees pointing both thumbs up to signal a jump ball.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
Pendleton Heights, leading by one point, attempted to run the clock down, but the ball was poked loose and in a scramble Greenfield-Central forced a jump ball, retaining possession with 28.1 seconds remaining.
—The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024
Love finished a 19-17 Broncos win 20-of-31 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, but the two touchdowns were a ricocheted ball that landed in Romeo Doubs’ arms and a jump ball that just as easily could have been a Pat Surtain II interception.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Tied with two minutes remaining, both teams had blocks down the stretch, including Jayden Hardaway of Memphis blocking Smith at the rim leading to a jump ball with 12 seconds remaining.
—Clay Bailey, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
To wit: Ben Dowsett going nearly 5,000 words on the jump ball, that contested toss that has started every game of basketball since 1891.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 24 Feb. 2024
That soon changed as the Panthers gummed up the middle of the floor, deflected entry passes and forced jump balls.
—The Enquirer, 29 Jan. 2024
Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Apr. 2024
On the next possession, Davis swallowed up a Betts layup attempt for a jump ball, roaring and flexing to her bench in glee.
—Luca Evans, Orange County Register, 9 Mar. 2024
Both fought hard for possession, which resulted in the referees pointing both thumbs up to signal a jump ball.
—Nathan Canilao, The Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2024
Pendleton Heights, leading by one point, attempted to run the clock down, but the ball was poked loose and in a scramble Greenfield-Central forced a jump ball, retaining possession with 28.1 seconds remaining.
—The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024
Love finished a 19-17 Broncos win 20-of-31 for 180 yards and two touchdowns, but the two touchdowns were a ricocheted ball that landed in Romeo Doubs’ arms and a jump ball that just as easily could have been a Pat Surtain II interception.
—Parker Gabriel, The Denver Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Tied with two minutes remaining, both teams had blocks down the stretch, including Jayden Hardaway of Memphis blocking Smith at the rim leading to a jump ball with 12 seconds remaining.
—Clay Bailey, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2024
To wit: Ben Dowsett going nearly 5,000 words on the jump ball, that contested toss that has started every game of basketball since 1891.
—Peter Rubin, Longreads, 24 Feb. 2024
That soon changed as the Panthers gummed up the middle of the floor, deflected entry passes and forced jump balls.
—The Enquirer, 29 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'jump ball.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Jump ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20ball. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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