Avoiding Carrying in Basketball: Hand Placement and Dribble Control
Teach players to dribble legally with these simple cues:
Hand Position: Keep your hand on top or on the side of the ball, never underneath.
Fingertip Control: Guide the ball with your fingertips, not your palm.
Continuous Bounce: Emphasize smooth, uninterrupted motion. No pauses or rests.
Game-Speed Drills: Practice hesitation, crossover, and spin moves at game speed.
Visual Cue for Referees: Teach players that if their hand crosses below the ball’s “equator,” it’s likely a carry.
What Carrying Is and How to Fix It
What Is Carrying in Basketball?
Carrying the ball—often called palming—is an illegal dribbling move where the player’s hand slips under the ball or the ball comes to a brief stop while dribbling. According to official basketball rules, a legal dribble must be continuous and controlled with the hand on top or the side of the ball.
When a player allows the ball to “rest” in their hand, or momentarily stops the ball before continuing the bounce, they’ve disrupted that continuous motion—and that’s where the violation occurs.
This kind of handling gives players extra time or control when changing direction or speed. Because it provides an unfair advantage and breaks the flow of the game, referees call it a violation and award the ball to the opposing team.
Why Carrying Is a Problem in Youth and High School Basketball
Carrying is especially common at the youth and high school levels for a few key reasons:
Developing coordination: Younger players haven’t built consistent dribbling habits yet, so hand placement and motion control are still being learned.
Copying advanced moves: Players often imitate college or NBA highlights without understanding the legal limits. When they try to replicate a hesitation or crossover, they might unknowingly carry.
Loose officiating in early games: In youth leagues, referees may not always call every carry, which can lead to bad habits becoming ingrained.
Teaching players what a legal dribble looks and feels like at an early stage is essential to long-term skill development.
Common Situations That Lead to Carrying Violations
Coaches should be aware of the four most common times players carry the ball:
Crossover Dribbles
When switching hands, players often let their hand slip underneath the ball to maintain control. But this scoop motion is what turns a clean crossover into a violation. Emphasize quick hands, low stance, and side-to-side movement rather than lifting the ball.Hesitation Dribbles
Hesitations are designed to freeze the defender—but when the ball stops bouncing, even slightly, it becomes a carry. Train players to keep the ball active through the hesitation, using their body to fake the slowdown rather than gripping the ball.Spin and Behind-the-Back Moves
These require advanced wrist and body coordination. If players turn their wrist too far or change direction while the ball is too high, they can lose control or scoop it unintentionally. Build these moves slowly and emphasize clean footwork with active dribbling.Slow or High Dribbles
Players who dribble too high (especially when tired) are more likely to have their hand slide under the ball. High dribbles are legal—but only if the hand stays on top and there’s no pause. Encourage low, controlled bounces even during relaxed possessions.
How Referees Identify Carrying
Referees are trained to look for:
Hand position: If a player’s hand is below the midpoint (the "equator") of the ball, it’s likely a violation.
Break in rhythm: A visible stop in the ball’s motion, even if brief, signals illegal control.
Scooping motion: Lifting the ball up with the wrist rather than allowing it to bounce cleanly.
Direction changes: If the player changes direction and their hand moves under the ball to do it, that’s an indicator.
Understanding how officials evaluate this violation helps players self-correct and coaches teach with clarity.
Coaching Cues to Prevent Carrying the Ball
Here are coaching strategies and technical cues to reduce carrying violations:
Emphasize Fingertip Control
Teach players to dribble with their fingertips, not their palm. This improves feel and helps avoid the resting motion that causes carries.Drill Hand Placement
Use mirror drills or slow-motion video to help players recognize where their hand is during the dribble. Reinforce that the hand should never be under the ball.Use Progressions
Start with basic, low dribbles. Add speed and complexity gradually—don't jump straight to spin moves or crossovers. Each level should be mastered legally before moving on.Incorporate Legal Hesitation Work
Show the difference between a legal hesitation (where the ball keeps bouncing) and an illegal one (where the ball stops). Add visual demonstrations and freeze-frame analysis if possible.Train at Game Speed
Carrying violations often happen in real games because players practice at a slower pace. Make sure drills replicate full-speed scenarios so legal dribbling becomes instinctual under pressure."Ball Doesn’t Stop" Rule
As a golden rule: if the ball ever stops or pauses in your hand—intentional or not—it’s a violation. Repeat this often in practice.
Legal vs. Illegal Dribble Moves
Some legal moves look risky but are fine if executed correctly. Teach players the difference so they don’t limit their creativity out of fear.
| Legal | Illegal |
|---|---|
| Hesitation (ball keeps bouncing) | Ball rests or pauses |
| Quick direction change (hand stays on top or side) | Hand slides under the ball |
| High dribble (if continuous and controlled) | Ball is scooped upward instead of bounced |
Game Impact of Carrying Violations
Carrying may seem like a small error, but it can have major consequences during a game:
Turnovers in key moments
A carry stops momentum and gives away possessions—especially painful late in close games.Breaks offensive rhythm
When a ball handler is called for a carry mid-play, it disrupts flow and can frustrate teammates.Signals poor fundamentals
Repeated carrying tells opponents and scouts that a player isn’t fully in control of their handle.
That’s why even high-level coaches emphasize legal dribbling as much as they do advanced offensive concepts.
Why It Matters for Skill Development
For youth and high school coaches, teaching players how to avoid carrying is not just about avoiding whistles—it’s about building solid, scalable ball-handling fundamentals.
Players who learn to:
Dribble under pressure
Change direction cleanly
Maintain control without stopping the ball
...are the ones who can run offenses, break presses, and create plays consistently at any level.
Avoiding carrying builds habits that lead to better handles, fewer turnovers, and more trust from teammates and coaches.
