In Basketball, a held ball occurs when two opposing players simultaneously gain possession of the ball, often leading to a struggle for control. When the referee identifies this situation, they will call a held ball and typically award possession to one team based on the alternating possession rule. This means that the team that does not have the current possession will get the next jump ball or inbound opportunity. To avoid a held ball, players should use good passing techniques and avoid situations where multiple players are reaching for the ball.