Double dribble
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In the game of basketball, a double dribble is a violation in which a player dribbles (bounces) the ball, clearly holds it with a combination of either one or two hands (while either moving or stationary), and then proceeds to dribble again without first either attempting a field goal or passing off to a teammate.
A double dribble violation includes other forms of dribbling violations such as striking the ball with a closed fist or dribbling the ball with both hands.
[edit] Official NBA rules
In the National Basketball Association, a dribble is movement of the ball, caused by a player in control, who throws or taps the ball into the air or to the floor.
- The dribble ends when the player:
- Touches the ball simultaneously with both hands
- Permits the ball to come to rest while he is in control of it
- Touches the ball more than once while dribbling, before it touches the floor
- Dribbles to gain possession of the ball and to dribble again afterwards is not a double dribble
[edit] Officials' hand signals
If a double dribble occurs, the official will first blow his whistle. To signal the violation of a double dribble, the official will place both hands straight with fingers straight out in front of him palms facing the ground and move one hand up and the other hand down. The double dribble sign is called the "illegal dribble" sign in the rule book.
[edit] Penalty
If a double dribble violation occurs, then the ball is awarded to the opposing team out of bounds nearest the point where the violation took place.
