Beginning a dribble with two hands

[bbcof83]

A colleague of mine at a post season meeting asked this question of a respected official:

"Is a 'power dribble' a legal move? I have been told that a dribble starts when the ball is pushed down with one hand so I believe starting with two hands is illegal."

For those who may not know (some at the meeting didn't), a power dribble is a two handed, one dribble action usually done by a post to gather themselves during a drop step before he/she lays it in.

I don't have my book on me, but does it say anywhere that starting a dribble with two hands is illegal? Seems silly to me if it is and I don't think I would ever have the fortitude to call a good power dribble a violation for that reason.

[refguy]

Legal. And you may continue a dribble started with two hands with one hand thereafter.

[JRutledge]

Nothing in the rulebook that says a player cannot start a dribble with two hands. A dribble can end when touching both hands simultaneously, but a single dribble is OK as long as you catch the ball.

Peace

[rockyroad]

There is no prohibition in the rules about starting a dribble with both hands. Once the dribble has started, touching it with both hands ends that dribble. So the "power dribble" is only a one-dribble technique - not becuase the dribble is started by pushing the ball to the floor with both hands, but because they catch it with both hands after the one bounce.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

"Is a 'power dribble' a legal move? I have been told that a dribble starts when the ball is pushed down with one hand so I believe starting with two hands is illegal."

He was told wrong. Please tell me the respected official set him straight.

[bbcof83]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Please tell me the respected official set him straight.

Yes, he set him straight. He said, though he wasn't able to quote a rule, he would never rule this a violation. That's why I had to throw it out on the forum today to see if I could get a 100% confirmation.

[Raymond]

Obviously they never say Darryl Dawkins play.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

Yes, he set him straight. He said, though he wasn't able to quote a rule, he would never rule this a violation. That's why I had to throw it out on the forum today to see if I could get a 100% confirmation.

you can add the fact that the rule does not say a dribble begins by pushing the ball "with one hand."

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by bbcof83

A colleague of mine at a post season meeting asked this question of a respected official:

"Is a 'power dribble' a legal move? I have been told that a dribble starts when the ball is pushed down with one hand so I believe starting with two hands is illegal."

For those who may not know (some at the meeting didn't), a power dribble is a two handed, one dribble action usually done by a post to gather themselves during a drop step before he/she lays it in.

I don't have my book on me, but does it say anywhere that starting a dribble with two hands is illegal? Seems silly to me if it is and I don't think I would ever have the fortitude to call a good power dribble a violation for that reason.

Dude, do you own a rule book?

4-15-1
A dribble is ball movement caused by a player in control who bats (intentionally strikes the ball with the hand(s)) or pushes the ball to the floor once or several times.