How Carrying the Ball Is Called in Basketball Explainer
Carrying, also called palming, occurs when a dribbler puts part of the hand under the ball and carries it from one point to another or brings it to a pause before continuing the dribble. The illegal pause gives the player extra control that a normal bounce does not permit.
Hand position alone is not the entire test. Skilled players may dribble high, change pace, and place the hand on the side of the ball. Officials look for the ball coming to rest or being transported in the hand rather than rebounding freely toward the floor.
A carry often appears during a hesitation or crossover when the ball handler freezes the ball to make a defender react and then resumes the same dribble. If the player fully gathers and starts again, the action may also fit the related second-dribble rule.
The penalty is a violation and loss of possession, not a personal foul. The opponent receives a throw-in from the designated spot. The rule preserves the basic challenge of controlling the ball through repeated bounces while still allowing modern changes of speed and direction.
Yes. The violation involves getting under it and carrying or pausing it.
No. It is a ball-handling violation.
Loss of possession and an opponent throw-in.
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