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
McAlister is a good jump ball threat and a vertical target that can pick up yards after the catch.
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Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
Only two days earlier, Bridges had tipped a crucial jump ball directly to Hardaway.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Williams could thrive as a jump ball receiver and getting touches with jet sweeps at the next level.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
After Herro drew a foul on Jarrett Allen and it was overturned with 39.4 seconds left and Miami down 5, the Heat won a jump ball at center court.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
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Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Apr. 2025
Only two days earlier, Bridges had tipped a crucial jump ball directly to Hardaway.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2025
Williams could thrive as a jump ball receiver and getting touches with jet sweeps at the next level.
—Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2025
After Herro drew a foul on Jarrett Allen and it was overturned with 39.4 seconds left and Miami down 5, the Heat won a jump ball at center court.
—Jared Weiss, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for jump ball
Cite this Entry
“Jump ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jump%20ball. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
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