What Is a Double Dribble in Basketball?

A player may dribble, stop and then pass or shoot. What they cannot do is stop with control and start dribbling again. The rule prevents a ball-handler from repeatedly resetting their dribble to escape pressure.

Beginners sometimes confuse double dribble with travelling. Double dribble concerns restarting the bounce; travelling concerns illegal movement of the feet while holding the ball.

Common double-dribble examples

• The player dribbles, picks up the ball with two hands, then bounces it again.
• The player places a hand under the ball, brings it to rest, then resumes the dribble.
• The player dribbles with both hands at the same time and then continues bouncing.
• The player stops the dribble, pivots under pressure and tries to dribble away.

When can a player dribble again?

A new dribble can be legal after the player loses control because of a shot, an opponent's touch or certain fumbles recognised by the rules. The exact judgement depends on whether the first dribble had ended with player control and what happened before the next bounce.

Simply dropping the ball intentionally does not create a reset. Officials judge the whole action, not the player's label for it.

What is the penalty?

Double dribble is a violation, not a personal foul. Play stops and the opponents receive the ball for a throw-in at the designated spot under the applicable rule set. No individual foul is added to the player's total.

• Practise jump stops and pivots after picking up the dribble.
• Keep the dribble alive until a pass or shot is available.
• Use both hands in drills, but one hand at a time on the live dribble.
• Review the moment control was gained when analysing a disputed call on video.