Carrying the Ball

/ˈkɛərɪɪŋ ðə bɔːl/
[ kair-ing thuh bawl ]

Definition of Carrying the Ball

In basketball, carrying the ball is a violation involving illegal hand positioning while dribbling.

What is Carrying the Ball?

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Carrying the ball, also known as palming, in basketball is against the rules. It's a type of violation that occurs when a player moves their hand under the ball for more than a brief moment while dribbling. When the player's hand is positioned under the ball and they continue to dribble that's considered carrying the ball because it disrupts the continuity of the dribble and can give the player an unfair advantage.

Examples of how to use the basketball term Carrying the Ball

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  1. The referee whistled for carrying the ball, and the possession was given to the opposing team.
  2. He has a tendency to commit the carrying the ball violation when under intense defensive pressure.
  3. It's essential to maintain control of the dribble without carrying the ball.

Carrying the Ball Strategy Tips

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Maintaining a steady dribble with your hand on top or to the side of the ball can help avoid carrying the ball. Regular and varied dribbling practices can also improve ball handling skills and reduce violations.
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What does Carrying the Ball mean in Basketball?

Carrying the ball is a violation in basketball, it happens when a player's hand is under the ball while dribbling. This disrupts the natural flow of a simple dribble and can give the player an unfair advantage.

How would you explain Carrying the Ball in layman's terms?

Carrying the ball is like pausing your dribble temporarily. If you scoop the ball and stop the dribble for a second, and then start again, that's carrying the ball - and it's not allowed in basketball.

Why is Carrying the Ball considered a violation?

Carrying the ball is considered a violation as it disrupts the fluidity of dribbling and the play. It can potentially give an unfair advantage to the player by making it hard for the defenders to steal the ball.

How can a player avoid committing a Carrying the Ball violation?

A player can avoid committing a carrying the ball violation by ensuring they always keep their hand on top or to the side of the ball while dribbling. Continuous dribbling practice also helps improve ball handling and prevent this violation.

In which levels of basketball is carrying the ball strictly enforced?

Carrying the ball is strictly enforced at all levels of basketball, but it's especially watched for in professional leagues and college basketball.

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