Double lane violation is a frequent call during free throws in both the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but a rare one in professional and international tournaments. Casual basketball fans, who are not really that particular with the technical side of basketball, end up clueless why missed second free throws end up in a “jumpball” situation without an actual jumpball, and that the “possession arrow” points the possession to a particular team.
One particular call resulted in controversy in game three of the NCAA seniors basketball finals between San Beda College and Colegio de San Juan de Letran, with the latter winning the championship in overtime. The game changer happened with six ticks left, when Letran’s Jom Sollano missed his second free throw. His teammates Kevin Racal and Mcjor Luib, though, stepped inside the shaded lane while Sollano was still aiming for his shot. San Beda’s Arthur de la Cruz followed suit, as both Racal and de la Cruz positioned for the rebound before Sollano’s release of his second free throw. The result is a double lane violation, which resulted in a “jumpball.” But since jumpballs are no longer done in amateur basketball (except to open the game), the “possession arrow” determines which team holds possession during “jumpball” situations.
Jon Sollano’s second free throw in OT of the championship game between Letran and San Beda. Photo by Martin San Diego | FCF
As a backgrounder, lane violation is an age-old rule in both amateur and professional basketball, prohibiting any act of impeding a player’s freedom to shoot his free throws. Meaning, rebounders must not enter the shaded lane (the court’s painted area) while the shooter is preparing his free throws. Rebounders can only jostle for the rebound upon release of the free throw. The underlying principle behind this prohibition is that free throws are supposedly taken freely, since this is a player’s reward for being fouled in the act of shooting or with the opposing team exceeding four fouls in a quarter.
IN PHOTOS: Letran ends San Beda dynasty, grabs NCAA 91 championship
FULL STORY: Letran ends decade of heartbreak, bags NCAA Season 91 hoops crown
A lane violation is called only when the free throw shooter misses his shot. If a teammate commits the violation, then possession automatically goes to the opposing team. If a player from the opposing team commits the violation, then the free throw shooter will be awarded another shot. But if players from both teams commit the violation, just like the abovementioned incident in the NCAA, a double lane violation is called, resulting in a “jumpball,” and referees will refer to the “possession arrow” to determine which team holds possession.
A “possession arrow” is a recent rule in amateur basketball innovated by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to economize time, instead of doing a jumpball in situations where possession of the ball is on a deadlock. Examples of jumpball situations include the grabbing of ball of both offensive and defensive players, double lane violations, double fouls, ball stuck on the rim, and when both offensive and defensive players touches the ball before it goes out of bounds. The possession arrow though is not used in professional leagues.
Possession WHAT arrow?!
For those who have watched UAAP and NCAA games live, the possession arrow is held on the technical committee table. It shifts directions during jumpball and when a quarter ends. After the opening jumpball, the possession arrow will point to the team that did not win the tip.
In the double lane violation incident in game three of the NCAA seniors basketball finals, the possession arrow pointed to Letran, who were up, 84-82, that is why they held possession and went on to win the game.
LISTEN: NCAA fans chant “wag iboto” after Pacquiao’s presence announced
IN PHOTOS: Letran ends San Beda dynasty, grabs NCAA 91 championship
FULL STORY: Letran ends decade of heartbreak, bags NCAA Season 91 hoops crown
