
Carrying is an illegal move in basketball that can result in a violation. It occurs when a player's hand is placed underneath the ball while dribbling, or when there is a pause in the dribble and the player resumes dribbling after the pause. To avoid carrying, players should focus on dribbling with both hands, keeping the dribble low, and using their fingertips to control the ball. They should also practice quick changes of direction and controlling the ball while in motion. Carrying is often confused with a double dribble, which is called when a player completely picks up the ball and starts dribbling again.
How to Stop Carrying in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dribbling Technique | Keep your hand on top of the basketball. Avoid placing your hand underneath the ball. |
| Dribble Height | Keep the dribble low to the ground. |
| Ball Control | Use your fingertips to control the ball. Practice dribbling with both hands. |
| Ball Handling | Limit unnecessary movements that may cause you to lose balance. Maintain control of the ball during changes in direction and while in motion. |
| Practice | Improve ball handling skills through practice. Drills, such as dribbling on your knees or while sitting down, can help reinforce proper dribbling technique and strengthen muscles. |
| Game-like Drills | Incorporate small-sided games into practice to simulate game-like situations and reinforce dribbling skills. |
| Understanding the Rule | Know the definition of a carrying violation: a pause in dribbling while the ball remains in one or both hands, followed by a resumption of dribbling. |
| Refereeing | Understand that referees are trained to spot the difference between a legal "pocket dribble" and an illegal carrying violation. |
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What You'll Learn

Avoid placing your hand underneath the ball when dribbling
To avoid carrying in basketball, players must dribble with their hand on top of the basketball. A carrying violation occurs when a player places their hand underneath the ball and either carries it from one point to another or brings it to a pause and then continues to dribble.
To prevent placing your hand underneath the ball, focus on keeping your dribble low and using your fingertips to control the ball. This technique, known as dribbling with your "finger tips and wrists", strengthens the muscles needed for proficient dribbling and reduces the likelihood of your hand ending up underneath the ball.
Another way to improve dribbling technique is to start with dribbling drills while sitting down or on your knees. These drills restrict upper-arm movement, forcing you to rely more on your wrists and fingertips for control. As you progress, incorporate quick changes of direction into your drills to simulate game-like situations.
Additionally, practice dribbling with both hands. This will not only improve your overall ball handling skills but also give you more options for controlling the ball without resorting to carrying. Remember, carrying gives the offense an unfair advantage by allowing unnatural movements. By keeping your dribble low and using your fingertips, you can maintain better control and avoid placing your hand underneath the ball.
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Keep your dribble low
Keeping the dribble low is an essential technique to avoid carrying violations in basketball. Here are some tips to help you master this skill:
When dribbling, focus on using your fingertips to control the ball, keeping it close to the ground. This technique ensures that your hand remains on top of the ball and prevents your hand from going underneath it, which is a common cause of carrying violations. Practice dribbling with a low, controlled movement, almost as if you are painting the surface with your fingertips.
To improve your dribbling technique, start by practising dribbling on your knees. This drill forces you to rely on your fingertips and wrists, building the necessary muscles for proficient dribbling. It also removes the influence of your upper arms, which can cause unnecessary movement and lead to carrying violations.
Another effective drill is dribbling while sitting down. This exercise allows you to focus solely on your dribbling technique without the distraction of movement. Experiment with different dribbling styles—stationary, in front, side to side, forward to back, and even around your body. The more you practice these low dribbling techniques, the better you'll become at maintaining control of the ball, which is crucial for avoiding carrying violations.
Additionally, work on developing quick changes of direction while maintaining a low dribble. This skill will help you navigate defenders effectively during a game. Remember, keeping your dribble low gives you a better chance to react to defenders and adjust your movement accordingly, reducing the risk of your hand sliding under the ball and causing a carrying violation.
By incorporating these drills into your practice routine, you'll develop a more controlled and efficient dribbling style, reducing the likelihood of carrying violations and improving your overall ball handling skills.
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Use your fingertips to control the ball
To avoid committing a carrying violation in basketball, it is important to use your fingertips to control the ball. This technique ensures that your hand remains on top of the basketball, preventing your hand from going underneath it.
Using your fingertips to dribble the ball allows for greater control and helps to maintain a consistent dribble. It is a more precise way of dribbling and can help you avoid carrying calls. When you use your fingertips, you are able to make quick changes in direction while keeping the ball under control. This is an essential skill to develop, as it gives defenders less of an advantage and allows you to protect the ball from them.
To improve your fingertip control, you can start by dribbling on your knees. This drill eliminates upper-arm movement and forces you to rely on your fingertips and wrists to dribble the ball. It also helps strengthen the muscles needed for proficient dribbling. Additionally, you can try dribbling drills while sitting down. These drills can be varied to include stationary dribbling, dribbling in front of you, side to side, forward to back, and around your body.
Another benefit of using your fingertips to control the ball is that it encourages a lower dribble. A lower dribble reduces the risk of your hand sliding under the ball, which is a common cause of carrying violations. By keeping the dribble low, you also decrease the distance the ball has to travel, making it easier to control and adjust your dribble as needed.
Practicing with a focus on using your fingertips to control the ball will help you develop a more precise and controlled dribble. This will not only reduce carrying violations but also improve your overall ball-handling skills, making you a more confident and effective player on the court.
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Avoid pausing during your dribble
To avoid pausing during your dribble, it is essential to maintain control of the basketball at all times. This means keeping your dribble low and using your fingertips to guide the ball, rather than allowing your hand to slide underneath it. Practicing dribbling with both hands will improve your overall ball handling and reduce the risk of carrying.
One effective way to improve dribbling technique is to start with dribbling drills while sitting down or on your knees. These drills help isolate the wrist and finger movements required to dribble effectively, strengthening the necessary muscles and improving control. Additionally, they force players to keep their upper arms still, which is crucial for maintaining a consistent dribble.
To further enhance your dribbling skills and avoid pausing, focus on quick changes of direction while dribbling. This will help you become more comfortable with the ball and improve your overall ball handling. Practicing dribbling at different speeds and angles will also help you maintain control and avoid carrying.
Another important aspect of avoiding pauses during your dribble is to keep the ball in motion. This means ensuring that the ball doesn't come to rest in your hand. You can achieve this by developing a smooth and continuous dribble, using quick and precise finger and wrist movements to guide the ball.
Lastly, it's crucial to understand the difference between a carry and a pocket dribble or hesitation move. A pocket dribble involves keeping your hand behind the ball, without letting it slide underneath. While this may look like a pause, it is not a violation as long as the pause is brief and the ball doesn't go underneath your hand. Understanding this distinction will help you refine your dribbling technique and avoid carrying violations.
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Practice dribbling with both hands
One of the best ways to improve ball handling and avoid carrying is to practice dribbling with both hands. This is because carrying is called when a player stops dribbling by letting the ball rest in one or both hands and then resumes dribbling. Therefore, ball handlers should work on dribbling with both hands, keeping the dribble low, and using their fingertips to control the ball.
Dribbling drills can help players improve their skills and avoid carrying. For example, players can start by dribbling on their knees, which will force them to dribble with their fingertips and wrists, strengthening the muscles needed to dribble a basketball effectively. Additionally, dribbling drills while sitting down can also be beneficial, as they allow players to work on their dribbling technique in a controlled setting. Players can dribble in front of them, side to side, forward to back, and even switch hands to improve their dribbling with both hands.
Another effective way to improve dribbling skills is through small-sided games. These games allow players to practice their dribbling in game-like situations, replicating what they will encounter in a live game. This helps players transfer the skills they learn from stationary and cone drills to a more competitive and dynamic environment.
It is important to note that carrying the basketball can be a difficult violation to detect in real-time, even for officials. However, by focusing on practicing dribbling with both hands, players can improve their ball-handling skills and reduce the likelihood of committing a carrying violation.
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Frequently asked questions
A carry, or carrying violation, occurs when a player allows the basketball to come to rest in one or both hands and then resumes dribbling. It can also be called when a player holds the ball in one hand without letting it fall naturally. This is different from a double dribble, where a player completely picks up the ball and starts dribbling again.
Allowing carrying would give the offense an unfair advantage. The dribbler could move in unnatural directions, making it extremely difficult for the defense to contain the basketball.
To avoid carrying, ball handlers should focus on keeping their hand on top of the ball and limiting their movements to maintain control. They should also practice dribbling with both hands, keeping the dribble low, and using their fingertips to control the ball.
Carrying calls in youth basketball often occur when a player dribbles too high, hesitates and their hand slides under the ball, sprints while dribbling, or accidentally palms the ball while stationary.
Coaches can correct players who frequently carry the basketball by teaching proper dribbling techniques. This includes stationary ball-handling drills, cone drills, and small-sided games that replicate live-game situations to improve dribbling skills.











































