Along with passing, dribbling is one of the primary methods used in basketball to transport the ball up and down the court. In fact, players are unable to move on the court while possessing the basketball without dribbling. This is a skill that can take years to master. The rules for dribbling are basic, but within these parameters is a massive creative freedom that continues to be explored and challenged by the world's elite basketball players.
Basic Dribbling
Dribbling is defined as bouncing the ball down to the court and back up to your hand, keeping the ball in constant motion and controlling and propelling the ball with your fingertips. You must do this whenever you are moving and taking more than one step. You are also only allowed to dribble continuously once per possession--if you pick up the ball and stop dribbling, you must either shoot or pass the ball. If you take more than one step without dribbling, you will be charged a traveling penalty and your team will lose possession of the ball.
Palming and Resting
One of the technicalities of dribbling is that the ball can never come to rest. This means that you are not allowed to cradle the ball with your palm in such a way that the ball is no longer moving, from either its inertia or your propulsion. You also cannot turn your hand while dribbling so that the ball rests on any part of your hand.
Double Dribble
Double dribble is defined two ways: it is both the act of picking up your dribble and then proceeding to dribble again, as well as the act of touching the ball twice before it hits the ground once. The latter act can happen when the ball-handler realizes mid-dribble that he or she has to compensate for an obstacle or previously unknown pressure, usually coming from a defender. In either case, double dribble results in the loss of a possession.
Basic Dribbling
Dribbling is defined as bouncing the ball down to the court and back up to your hand, keeping the ball in constant motion and controlling and propelling the ball with your fingertips. You must do this whenever you are moving and taking more than one step. You are also only allowed to dribble continuously once per possession--if you pick up the ball and stop dribbling, you must either shoot or pass the ball. If you take more than one step without dribbling, you will be charged a traveling penalty and your team will lose possession of the ball.
Palming and Resting
One of the technicalities of dribbling is that the ball can never come to rest. This means that you are not allowed to cradle the ball with your palm in such a way that the ball is no longer moving, from either its inertia or your propulsion. You also cannot turn your hand while dribbling so that the ball rests on any part of your hand.
Double Dribble
Double dribble is defined two ways: it is both the act of picking up your dribble and then proceeding to dribble again, as well as the act of touching the ball twice before it hits the ground once. The latter act can happen when the ball-handler realizes mid-dribble that he or she has to compensate for an obstacle or previously unknown pressure, usually coming from a defender. In either case, double dribble results in the loss of a possession.
