double dribble
 

this became a point of controversey in a game I watched this week end.

A1 passes to A2 (this is a bullet) A2 sticks out a hand and the ball hits it and goes to the floor then A2 picks it up with two hands and begins to dribble.

coach goes nuts and calls for "Double Dribble" then one official blows the whistle and makes the call across the floor. They get together and talk about it and decide it isn't an "illegal Dribble" although they both use the term "Double Dribble".

Lets ignore the way the call was handled first - and comment on the Rule - I have seen officials call this both ways - I do not call it an Illegal dribble as I do not consider it to be a bat to begin a dribble but I would like to see other opinions on this.

Then you can bash the rookies for their handling of the call.

It's the official's judgment as to whether A2 "muffed" the pass (in which case s/he can recover the ball and dribble) or directed the pass to the ground to start a dribble (in which case the dribble ends when A2 touches the ball with both hands).

Definately a HTBT but, from your description, it sounds like A2 did not have control and the subsequent dribble is legal.

I hope the official who made this long distance call got an earful after the game from the one who was there and passed on it.

one of the observers asked the official who passed on it - If he was sure that he had not missed anything in his partners primary!!!! :eek: