Device And Method For Tracking Possession In Basketball

Abstract

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.

1 . A device for tracking possession in a basketball game employing an alternating rule of possession to determine which of two competing teams are entitled to possession upon the occurrence of a jump ball, said device comprising:
 an elastic wrist band having a 360 degree outer surface composed of a first 180 degree half and a second 180 degree half;   said first half of said wrist band bearing a first predetermined color or pattern representative of one of said two competing teams; and   said second half of said wrist band bearing a second predetermined color or pattern representative of the other of said two competing teams, whereby selective rotation of said wrist band causes display of one of said predetermined colors or patterns to designate the team entitled to the next possession upon the occurrence of a jump ball.   
   
   
       2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic band comprises cloth. 
   
   
       3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and the said second predetermined color or pattern comprises black. 
   
   
       4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and said second predetermined color or pattern comprises alternating black and white stripes. 
   
   
       5 . A wrist band comprising a 360 degree outer surface composed of first and second portions;
 said first portion comprising a first predetermined color or pattern; and   said second portion comprising a second predetermined color or pattern.   
   
   
       6 . The wrist band of  claim 5 , wherein said wrist band comprises elastic. 
   
   
       7 . The wrist band of  claim 5 , wherein said wrist band comprises cloth. 
   
   
       8 . The wrist band of  claim 7 , wherein said wrist band comprises elastic. 
   
   
       9 . The wrist band of  claim 5 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and the said second predetermined color or pattern comprises black. 
   
   
       10 . The wrist band of  claim 5 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and said second predetermined color or pattern comprises alternating black and white stripes. 
   
   
       11 . A method of keeping track of possession in a basketball game employing a rule of alternating possession to determine which of two competing teams is entitled to possession of the ball on the next occurrence of a jump ball, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a wrist band comprising a 360 degree outer surface composed of first and second portions;   providing a first predetermined color or pattern on said first portion of said wrist band;   providing a second predetermined color or pattern on said second portion of said wrist band;   designating a first of the two competing teams as represented by said first predetermined color or pattern;   designating a second of the two competing teams as represented by said second predetermined color or pattern;   providing an official for said basketball game;   said official wearing said wrist band and rotating said wrist band on each occurrence of a jump ball to selectively display either said first portion or said second portion of said wrist band to indicate which of said two teams is entitled to possession of the basketball.   
   
   
       12 . The wrist band of  claim 11 , wherein said wrist band comprises elastic. 
   
   
       13 . The wrist band of  claim 11 , wherein said wrist band comprises cloth. 
   
   
       14 . The wrist band of  claim 13 , wherein said wrist band comprises elastic. 
   
   
       15 . The wrist band of  claim 11 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and the said second predetermined color or pattern comprises black. 
   
   
       16 . The wrist band of  claim 11 , wherein said first predetermined color or pattern comprises white and said second predetermined color or pattern comprises alternating black and white stripes.