jump ball

American  

noun

Basketball.

1. a ball tossed into the air above and between two opposing players by the referee in putting the ball into play.

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jump ball British  

noun

1. basketball a ball thrown high by the referee between two opposing players to put it in play, as after a stoppage in which no foul or violation was committed

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Etymology

Origin of jump ball

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

He expects all three to be even more aggressive this time around, “given the potential jump ball for assets and routes.”

From Barron's • May 1, 2026

With 35 seconds left and the score tied at 61, Clemson struggled to get a shot off as Davidson forced a jump ball and then Gerda Raulusaityte forced a tie-up of her own.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026

Things were intense from the opening jump ball, which resulted in another jump ball only three seconds later after UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez and USC’s Kennedy Smith fought for a loose ball.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2025

Why: All polling seems to suggest that this is a complete jump ball of a race.

From Slate • Nov. 5, 2024

Art looked undernourished and lost as he stepped into the circle to jump ball with Sanders.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy