Hand checking and palming

[jweiler]

NCAA Women want the hand check called even if it is only a touch on the dribbler. A touch, only one, is acceptable before the dribble begins - allowing the defender to measure only.

I don't think the men are that fussy about it. The feel I get is that if a hand check alters the movement - changes direction or prevents desired movement of the dribbler or cutter, then it needs to be called. In addition, riding a dribbler on the way to the hole, whether his course is altered or not, should be called, but if less than a dribble from the basket, hold the whistle a little bit to let them get the try off.

On palming, I still try to judge it by whether the ball comes to rest - in other words stops for a period of time that is longer than you would expect at the top of a dribble. This usually happens on a change of direction (crossover) or hesitation move by the dribbler.