
In basketball, palming, also known as carrying, is a violation that occurs when a player dribbles the ball in an illegal manner. This happens when the player's hand comes to rest underneath the ball, momentarily carrying it instead of dribbling, and then continuing to dribble. This action can give the player an unfair advantage, as it disrupts the fluidity of the game. While the enforcement of the palming rule may vary depending on the referee's discretion, it is designed to maintain fairness and continuous play. The rule challenges players to develop proper dribbling techniques and enhances spectators' appreciation of the skill involved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is palming? | Palming, often called carrying, is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles the ball in an illegal manner. |
| How does it happen? | When a player dribbles the ball and turns their hand under the ball and momentarily holds it while dribbling. |
| Rules | National Basketball Association Rule No. 10 (Section II (d)) states, "A player who is dribbling may not put any part of his hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again." |
| Penalty | The penalty is that possession of the ball is given to the opposing team. |
| Enforcement | The enforcement of the palming rule can vary and is often left to the discretion of the referee, who must judge whether the dribble was illegally interrupted. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Palming, also known as carrying, is a violation in basketball
- The rule prohibits players from putting their hand under the ball
- Palming can cause inconsistent calls, leading to confusion among players and fans
- The rule is designed to keep the game fair and continuous, challenging players' dribbling skills
- Some spectators misunderstand the rule, seeing carries that aren't called

Palming, also known as carrying, is a violation in basketball
The palming rule is designed to keep the game fair and continuous, challenging players to dribble without gaining an unnatural advantage over the defense. A clear understanding of the rule is crucial for players to develop proper ball-handling techniques and for fans to appreciate the skill on display.
The enforcement of the palming rule can vary and is often left to the discretion of the referee, who must judge whether the dribble was illegally interrupted. This has led to inconsistent calls, causing confusion and debate among players, coaches, and fans.
Some spectators and players have expressed frustration over the inconsistent enforcement of the palming rule, especially when star players or NBA stars get away with illegal moves. However, others have noted that the rules have evolved, and what was once considered a violation may no longer be the case, allowing for more intricate and outlandish crossovers that market the game.
To ensure fair officiating, Division 1 officials are scrutinized for their calls, and incorrect calls can result in fines, suspensions, or terminations. While some may disagree with certain interpretations of the palming rule, it is essential for maintaining a level playing field and encouraging the development of proper dribbling techniques.
Finding Familiar Places: Where Was That?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The rule prohibits players from putting their hand under the ball
The game of basketball has a number of rules that limit the ball handler's advantage. One such rule is the palming rule, also referred to as carrying. This rule prohibits players from putting their hand under the ball while dribbling.
The National Basketball Association Rule No. 10 (Section II (d)) explicitly states that "a player who is dribbling may not put any part of his hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again." Essentially, palming occurs when a player momentarily halts their dribble by turning their hand under the ball, only to continue dribbling. This action can grant the player an unfair advantage by making it challenging for defenders to predict and react to their movements.
The enforcement of the palming rule can vary, and it is often left to the referee's discretion to judge whether the dribble was illegally interrupted. However, the rule is in place to maintain fairness and fluidity in the game. It ensures that players dribble the ball correctly without gaining an unnatural advantage over the defence.
The understanding and application of the palming rule are crucial for both players and fans. Players need to develop proper ball-handling techniques, while fans can enhance their appreciation of the skill and strategy involved in the game. The rule emphasizes the importance of maintaining a level playing field where defenders have a fair chance to react to the offensive player's movements.
While some spectators may misunderstand or debate the intricacies of the palming rule, it serves a vital purpose in basketball. By prohibiting players from putting their hand under the ball, the rule encourages the development of precise dribbling skills and strategic gameplay, contributing to the overall excitement and fairness of the sport.
Mastering the Basketball Boss Crossover
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Palming can cause inconsistent calls, leading to confusion among players and fans
Palming, also known as carrying, is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles the ball in an illegal manner. This happens when a player's hand comes to rest underneath the ball, momentarily carrying it instead of dribbling, and then continuing to dribble. This action can give the player an unfair advantage by making it difficult for defenders to predict and react to their movements.
The palming rule is designed to keep the game fair and continuous, challenging players to dribble without gaining an unnatural advantage. While the rule is straightforward, its enforcement can vary, leading to inconsistent calls and confusion among players and fans.
Referees have a degree of discretion in judging whether a dribble was illegally interrupted, and their decisions can be influenced by factors such as the player's advantage gained or the clarity of the violation. Inconsistent calls can spark confusion and debate, especially when violations appear obvious to spectators but are not called by referees.
The complexity of officiating a game compared to observing it from the sidelines is often overlooked, and critics of inconsistent calls should consider the challenges faced by referees in making split-second decisions. Additionally, the pressure on officials to conform to certain expectations and avoid fines, suspensions, or terminations may impact the consistency of their calls.
To address inconsistent calls and confusion, players, coaches, and fans should strive for a clear understanding of the palming rule and its interpretation by officials. This understanding will enhance their appreciation of the skill and strategy involved in adhering to the rules while maintaining a fair and fluid game.
LeBron's Basketball Obsession: Hours of Practice
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$8.53

The rule is designed to keep the game fair and continuous, challenging players' dribbling skills
The palming rule in basketball is designed to maintain fairness and continuity in the game, testing players' dribbling skills without allowing them to gain an unfair advantage. Palming, also known as carrying, occurs when a player dribbles the ball with their hand underneath it, momentarily halting and then continuing the dribble. This action can disrupt the fluidity of the game and provide an unfair advantage by making it challenging for defenders to predict and react to the offensive player's movements.
The rule against palming ensures that players dribble the ball correctly and encourages the development of proper ball-handling techniques. It challenges players to be creative and skilful in their dribbling without resorting to tactics that give them an unnatural advantage. A clear understanding of the palming rule is crucial for both players and fans to appreciate the skill and strategy involved in the game.
While the rule is designed to promote fairness, its enforcement can vary and is often left to the referee's discretion. Inconsistent calls can lead to confusion and debate among players, coaches, and fans. The complexity of the rule and the fast-paced nature of the game can make it challenging for referees to make consistent calls.
Some spectators and players have expressed frustration over the inconsistent enforcement of the palming rule, particularly when star players or historical figures appear to get away with carrying. The interpretation of the rule has evolved over time, with some arguing that older players were restricted by stricter interpretations, limiting their dribbling options.
The palming rule emphasizes the importance of proper dribbling technique and encourages players to develop their ball-handling skills within the boundaries of the rules. By prohibiting players from gaining an unfair advantage through palming, the rule contributes to the overall fairness and fluidity of the game, creating a challenging and exciting environment for players and spectators alike.
Elite Basketball Socks: Elevate Your Game
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Some spectators misunderstand the rule, seeing carries that aren't called
Carrying, or palming, is a ball-handling violation in basketball. It occurs when a player dribbles the ball in an illegal manner, gaining an unfair advantage over the defence. The National Basketball Association Rule No. 10 (Section II (d)) defines carrying as:
> "A player who is dribbling may not put any part of their hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again."
The palming rule is designed to keep the game fair and continuous, challenging players to dribble the ball without resorting to tactics that give them an unnatural advantage. However, the enforcement of the rule can vary, and inconsistent calls can lead to confusion and debate among players, coaches, and fans.
Some spectators misunderstand the rule and see carries that aren't called. This may be due to the referee's discretion in judging whether the dribble was illegally interrupted. Understanding the palming rule is crucial for both players and fans to appreciate the skill and fairness of the game.
To improve understanding and consistency in calling palming violations, clear and consistent communication of the rule by officials and commentators is essential. Additionally, educational initiatives, such as rule explanation segments during broadcasts or social media campaigns, can help spectators better comprehend the nuances of the palming rule.
Basketball: Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Palming, also known as carrying, is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player dribbles the ball in an illegal manner.
A player palms the ball when their hand comes to rest underneath it during dribbling, momentarily carrying it instead.
Palming gives the player with the ball an unfair advantage by disrupting the fluidity of the game and making it difficult for defenders to predict and react to the offensive player's movements.
No, palming is not allowed in basketball. However, enforcement of the palming rule can vary and is often left to the referee's discretion.
If a player is caught palming the basketball, possession of the ball is given to the opposing team. This counts as a turnover.











































