What is a dribble

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by just another ref

This has been debated at length before. Nearly everyone disagreed with me.
(imagine that) Read the definition of a dribble.


".....when a player pushes the ball to the floor...."

No subsequent touch is mentioned in the definition.

The problem with that interpretation (as I'm sure you know from previous discussions ) is that a bounce pass also fits that definition.

A dribble and a bounce pass can both be started exactly the same way: by pushing or batting the ball to the floor. You don't know which one it is until the ball is touched again. A bounce pass is next touched by a teammate; a dribble is next touched by the dribbler.

So while there is no question that the player has pushed the ball to the floor in each case, the official doesn't know whether it's a dribble or a pass until the ball is touched again.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

A dribble and a bounce pass can both be started exactly the same way: by pushing or batting the ball to the floor. You don't know which one it is until the ball is touched again.

So, pause and judge.

There's nothing that says we need to blow the whistle the millisecond the ball hits the floor. Look at the play. If you judge an illegal dribble, tweet. If you judge a bounce pass, you have nothing.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by bainsey

So, pause and judge.

There's nothing that says we need to blow the whistle the millisecond the ball hits the floor. Look at the play. If you judge an illegal whistle, tweet. If you judge a bounce pass, you have nothing.

I hear a lot of those.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by just another ref

I hear a lot of those.

Nice catch. Fixed. Thanks.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

A dribble and a bounce pass can both be started exactly the same way: by pushing or batting the ball to the floor.

A pass and a try for goal can be started the same way. How do you know when to award two free throws? Judgment call. When there is any doubt, give the benefit to the offensive player, but the big majority of the time, it is not difficult to tell the difference between a pass and the start of a dribble.

[MiamiWadeCounty]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

The problem with that interpretation (as I'm sure you know from previous discussions ) is that a bounce pass also fits that definition.

A dribble and a bounce pass can both be started exactly the same way: by pushing or batting the ball to the floor. You don't know which one it is until the ball is touched again. A bounce pass is next touched by a teammate; a dribble is next touched by the dribbler.

So while there is no question that the player has pushed the ball to the floor in each case, the official doesn't know whether it's a dribble or a pass until the ball is touched again.

The rules say: The dribble may be started by pushing, throwing, tapping or batting the ball to the playing court. It says it MAY BE STARTED, not IT SHALL BE STARTED. So from this rule alone, the act of pushing the ball down to the floor does not constitute a dribble. Does it?

[APG]

The most common and accepted application of this rule (as far as I can tell) is there needs to be a subsequent touch to determine if it's truly a dribble. I can say, I've never seen the rule applied as JAR and brainsey have suggested.