Double dribble and carrying, explained: the rules that govern the dribble
Two of basketball's most common violations — dribbling twice and carrying the ball — what each one is, why they're illegal, and where the line falls on a modern crossover.
How a legal dribble works
A dribble is the only way a player can move with the ball: bouncing it continuously with one hand. The moment you stop the dribble — catch the ball in one or both hands so it comes to rest — your dribble is over. From there you can pass or shoot, but you can't start bouncing again. Almost every dribbling violation comes down to breaking one of those simple limits.
Double dribble
A double dribble happens in two ways. The first is dribbling with both hands at once — using two hands ends the dribble instantly. The second, and more common, is picking up your dribble and then starting a new one: once you've gathered the ball and stopped, dribbling again is illegal. Either version is a violation, and the ball is awarded to the other team.
Carrying (palming)
Carrying, often called palming, is about the hand position during the dribble. A legal dribble is a bounce, with the hand striking the top of the ball. If a player lets their hand slip under the ball and momentarily holds or scoops it before pushing it back down, they've carried it — effectively pausing the dribble and restarting, which isn't allowed. Like a double dribble, it's a turnover.
Why crossovers aren't always carries
Flashy crossovers, hesitations and behind-the-back moves often look like carries, but they're legal as long as the hand stays roughly on top or the side of the ball and the dribble never truly pauses. The key is whether the ball comes to rest in the hand. Officials give some leeway to the speed of the modern game, which is why a lightning crossover is fine but a slow, obvious scoop under the ball gets whistled.