started a dribble?

[Chris Whitten]

I'll describe this thing as well as I can. Its something I see a few times during the year, but rarely see it called. Usually I see it in a varsity boys or JV boys game with very good players with quick hands.

A1 is holding the ball in a crowd but has it stripped, creating a loose ball. A1 tries to regain possession, but B1 swats the ball two quick times in his attempt to gain possession, each time with the ball bouncing on the floor. B1 then grasps the ball with both hands and begins to dribble toward his basket. I may be way off, but it seems our more seasoned officials will give B1 a pass for action during the scrum, not deeming the two swats as dribbles. How can this be justified?