Rules

The double dribble rule in basketball

A double dribble is one of the first violations new players learn about, and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what the double dribble rule actually says in plain language, with examples of what is and is not a violation.

What is a double dribble?

There are two common ways to commit a double dribble:

1. Dribbling again after you stop. Once you end your dribble by catching the ball or holding it, you cannot start a new dribble. You have to pass, shoot, or pivot.
2. Dribbling with both hands at the same time. Touching the ball with both hands at once during a dribble ends that dribble. If you keep dribbling after that, it is a violation.

The penalty is a turnover. The other team gets the ball out of bounds near where the violation happened.

When does a dribble end?

Understanding the double dribble rule comes down to knowing when your dribble is over. In general, your dribble ends when you:

• Catch the ball with one or both hands.
• Let the ball come to rest in one or both hands.
• Touch the ball with both hands at the same time.

Once that happens, you have used your dribble. The common phrase is that you have “picked up” the ball.

Note that letting the ball come to rest in one hand and then continuing to dribble is usually called a carry (also called palming), which is closely related. See carrying in basketball.

What is not a double dribble

A lot of plays look like a double dribble but are legal. In general:

• Your dribble is deflected or knocked away by another player. If a defender touches the ball and you recover it, you can usually dribble again.
• You shoot and the ball hits the rim or backboard. A shot ends your possession of that dribble. If you rebound your own miss, you can dribble again.
• You pass and get the ball back. A new possession means a new dribble.
• You fumble the ball before you start dribbling. Bobbling a catch is not a dribble. You can recover and then dribble.
• The ball bounces off your foot or leg mid-dribble and you keep control. An accidental touch is generally not a violation on its own.
• Changing hands during a dribble. Switching from one hand to the other between bounces, as in a crossover, is legal as long as only one hand touches the ball at a time.

What about losing the ball after you have already ended your dribble? A fumble does not give you a fresh dribble, so if you pick the ball up, drop it, and then dribble it, that is typically a violation. How each league words fumbles and air balls varies, so check your league’s rules for edge cases.

Common double dribble examples

Does the rule differ between NBA, college, FIBA and high school?

The core idea is the same everywhere: one dribble per possession, one hand at a time. Details and wording vary between the NBA, NCAA, FIBA and high school rulebooks, especially for edge cases like air balls, fumbles, and throwing the ball off the backboard. Officials at each level also emphasize different things. If you play in an organized league, read that league’s current rules or ask an official.

For youth leagues, referees often give very young players some leeway as they learn. That changes quickly as players get older.

Why players double dribble

Most double dribbles are not about not knowing the rule. They come from pressure. A player picks up the ball too early, gets trapped, panics, and puts it back down. Or a player loses control, grabs the ball with both hands to save it, and then keeps going.

The fix is mostly ball handling. Players who are comfortable dribbling under pressure do not need to pick the ball up early, and players who keep the ball low and controlled do not need to grab it with two hands.

How to avoid double dribbling

1. Do not pick up your dribble without a plan. Only stop when you know where the pass or shot is going.
2. Keep your dribble alive under pressure. Use a retreat dribble to back out of trouble instead of picking up.
3. Protect the ball with your body. See how to protect the ball.
4. Practice pivoting. If you do pick up, pivot to find a passing angle instead of panicking.
5. Build control with both hands. A weak hand you trust means fewer emergency two-hand grabs. See weak-hand dribbling.

Building a handle that holds up

Handles AI: Basketball Trainer is an iPhone app that helps with the control side. Coach Ace calls moves out loud while the app tracks the ball, and a dribble only counts when the ball goes down, hits the floor and comes back. Training to react to called moves under a little time pressure helps you stay calm with the ball instead of picking it up.

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