Device And Method For Tracking Possession In Basketball

摘要

A method and device for tracking the team or side entitled to the next possession of a “jump ball” in a basketball game employing a rule of alternating possession. An official, such as a referee, wears an elastic cloth wrist band of the type commonly worn by tennis players. Half of the exposed surface (180 degrees of the 360 degree exposed surface of the wrist band) is colored a first predetermined color or pattern, and the other half (the other 180 degrees of the exposed surface of the wrist band) is colored a second predetermined color or pattern. In a first preferred embodiment, the first and second predetermined colors are white and black. In a second preferred embodiment, the first predetermined color is white, and the second predetermined color consists of alternating black and white stripes coordinated to match the black and white shirt customarily worn by a basketball referee.;In the method of tracking possession, the referee initially designates one of the two teams in a basketball game as corresponding to the first predetermined color or pattern, and designates the other team as corresponding to the second predetermined color or pattern. The referee then places the wrist band on his or her wrist, orienting the band by sliding it about the wrist to orient the color or pattern associated with the team entitled to the next possession on the occurrence of the next “jump ball” to face upwardly, on the upper surface of the wrist or forearm. At each “jump ball,” the referee or other official slides the wrist band 180 degrees to display the other color or pattern.