center jump: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (specialized sports terminology)Formal (sports reporting, rulebooks); Informal (coaching, commentary)
Quick answer
What does “center jump” mean?
A sports term referring to the initial jump ball that starts a game, traditionally in basketball, where the referee tosses the ball between two opposing players who jump to tap it to a teammate.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sports term referring to the initial jump ball that starts a game, traditionally in basketball, where the referee tosses the ball between two opposing players who jump to tap it to a teammate.
Can refer more broadly to any competitive beginning or pivotal moment where two parties vie for initial control or advantage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more commonly used in American sports contexts due to basketball's prominence. In UK contexts, it might be explained more often. The spelling 'centre jump' would be used in British English.
Connotations
Evokes traditional basketball imagery. In the US, it has a nostalgic connotation for older fans familiar with the rule.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general language. Almost exclusively found in historical sports texts, rule discussions, or commentary about game beginnings.
Grammar
How to Use “center jump” in a Sentence
Team A won the center jumpThe game began with a center jumpThe referee administered the center jumpVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “center jump” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The centre jump was won by the visiting team's tallest player.
- Old rules required a centre jump after every scored basket.
American English
- The center jump determined which team got first possession.
- Coaches devised special plays for the center jump.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically, a 'center jump' might describe the start of a competitive bidding process or market launch.
Academic
Used in sports science or history of sport papers discussing rule evolution.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used by sports enthusiasts discussing game starts.
Technical
Precise term in basketball rulebooks and official coaching materials.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “center jump”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “center jump”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “center jump”
- Using 'center jump' for any jump ball during the game (it's specifically the opening one).
- Confusing it with the 'center circle' (the location).
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun (not typically necessary).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the NBA now only uses a single jump ball (tip-off) to start the game. Subsequent jump balls are replaced by the alternating possession rule. 'Center jump' is now a historical term for the rule that used to restart play after every basket and period.
In modern usage, they are often synonyms for the opening jump ball. Historically, 'center jump' was the more formal term, especially for jumps after periods, while 'tip-off' colloquially referred to the game's start. Today, 'tip-off' is far more common.
It is almost exclusively a noun phrase. The action is described as 'to jump center' or 'to participate in the center jump'. You would not typically say 'the referee center jumps the ball'.
Very rarely. It is uniquely associated with basketball's specific rules. Other sports with similar starting procedures (e.g., a face-off in hockey) use their own distinct terminology.
A sports term referring to the initial jump ball that starts a game, traditionally in basketball, where the referee tosses the ball between two opposing players who jump to tap it to a teammate.
Center jump is usually formal (sports reporting, rulebooks); informal (coaching, commentary) in register.
Center jump: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsentə dʒʌmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɛnɾɚ dʒʌmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CENTER of the court where the game JUMPS into action.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEGINNING IS A JUMP; COMPETITION IS A VERTICAL CONTEST.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'center jump' most specifically refer to in basketball?