What Is a Loose Ball in Basketball?

In basketball, the term "loose ball" is used to describe a situation where the ball is in play but neither team has possession of it. This can occur for instance when the ball is shot at the basket and rebounds off of the backboard or when a pass is deflected and the ball is rolling along the floor. Fouls committed when the ball is loose are called loose ball fouls, and coaches devise practice drills that emphasize the importance of gaining possession of a loose ball.

A loose ball can occur in a variety of ways. The ball is considered loose as mentioned when it leaves a shooter's hand and does not go into the basket. Once it hits the rim or the backboard it is a loose ball. Balls that are poked away from a dribbling player and then wind up rolling or bouncing on the floor are loose balls. A loose ball can occur when a player drops the ball or fails to catch a pass, leaving the ball on the court and up for grabs. Other scenarios that can cause a loose ball are when defensive players tip the ball away on an inbounds play, and when a shot is blocked but remains in play.

A basketball player can earn a reputation as being one that hustles when he or she gets to and then gains possession of a loose ball. Coaches look for players that have this ability and will tend to give them more playing time over even more talented individuals because coaches realize the importance of getting to loose balls. The more possessions a team has during the course of a game, the more points it can score; the more loose balls a team is able to come up with can translate into victories.

A loose ball foul is a personal foul that is committed while neither team has possession of the ball. When this happens, the squad that committed the foul will be charged with a team foul and the offending player will have a personal foul charged to him. The team that was offended gets the basketball on the sideline to inbound nearest the place on the court where the loose ball foul occurred. However, if the offending team is in the penalty situation in terms of fouls, the team that was fouled will be awarded one free throw, with a bonus foul shot given if the first one is made.

Coaches will devise different drills to accentuate the importance of getting to loose balls. One such drill calls for the team to divide into two groups and then each group lines up on opposite sidelines, both at the same end of the court. The coach will give each player a number, with both groups having someone that is designated as No. 1, No. 2 and so forth. The players are instructed to get down on all fours facing away from the court and then the coach will place the ball somewhere on the court the same distance from each group. The coach will yell out a number and a player from each group that corresponds to that number will get up, turn around, spot the ball and then attempt to beat the opposing player to it and gain possession. The player that garners the basketball then takes it to the basket and tries to score with the other player defending. Coaches allot one point for getting the loose ball and one if the player scores before the defender gets the ball. Coaches will run this drill until one group scores 10 points.

Another drill that puts the emphasis on loose balls is run with the team forming three lines at half court. The coach will roll the ball along the floor toward the basket and one player from two of the lines will chase after it and try to possess it. Once possession is accomplished, a player from the third line will run down the court as a "trailing player," much like what could happen in a game and the player with the ball will throw the ball to her. She will try to score, with the player that did not come up with the loose ball attempting to defend. This drill teaches players how to hustle for a loose ball and then what to do with it once they have it.