Palming

[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by mcdanrd
I had a friendly disagreement with a partner between games on Saturday. It had to do with palming/travel and high dribble. After the game, I reread Point of Emphasis 4 on page 66 of the NFHS Rules Book. I was under the impression that a high dribble was just that, a dribble. The PoE makes it sound like a player can palm/travel the ball with his/her palm facing the floor. I understand that there is sometimes the appearance of a ball coming to rest with the palm down, but I guess my question is, Given the laws of physics, is that possible? and, how do you determine whether it's simply a high dribble or a travel?

The high dribble is just that, a high dribble, unless the hand gets under the ball. The POE is addressing the play where A1 may go up on his tiptoes, give a slight hesitation, and then return the ball to the floor. Usually the ball ends up spinning in the dribbler's hand or he does a quick little wrist flick. Palming.