What Is Double Dribble in Basketball: Rules and Impact

As a parent, you are going to hear a lot of strange terms and phrases while your kids play sports. One phrase that's common in basketball is, 'What is double dribble in basketball?' We will cover the full explanation here.

The parents in the stands are confused as the whistle blows after their kid just stopped dribbling... only to start again. They'll learn that a double dribble in basketball is something to avoid.

• Breaking Down the Double Dribble
  • Why is it Called "Double" Dribble?
  • The Official Ruling
  • The Unfair Advantage
  • Variations and Exceptions
  • Double Dribble in Youth Basketball
  • What is Double Dribble in Basketball Training?
  • The Double Dribble in Professional Leagues
  • Impact of Double Dribbles
• FAQs about what is double dribble in basketball
  • What is considered a double dribble in basketball?
  • What is the difference between travel and double dribble?
  • Why is double dribble illegal?
• Conclusion 

The rule is pretty straightforward. A double dribble happens when a player dribbles the ball, stops, and then starts dribbling again. It's an illegal dribble.

You can only dribble once. A player also can’t dribble with two hands at the same time.

The 'double' refers to the two distinct dribbling actions. It emphasizes that a player is doing something twice (dribbling) that they're only allowed to do once in a continuous sequence. The rule exists to keep the basketball game fair.

According to Wikipedia, 'In basketball, an illegal dribble (colloquially called a double dribble or dribbling violation) occurs when a player ends their dribble by catching or causing the ball to come to rest in one or both hands and then dribbles it again with one hand or when the player touches it before the ball hits the ground.' This can be confusing to understand, but at the end of the day, once a dribble is ended with their hands on the ball, they cannot restart the dribble.

So then, a turnover is rewarded. The other team gets the ball.

The main reason this rule exists is to prevent an unfair advantage. If players could stop and start dribbling at will, it would become too easy to maintain possession and maneuver around defenders.

This restriction adds a layer of strategy to the game. It forces players to think ahead.

There are a couple of situations that might look like a double dribble but aren't. They are worth understanding.

If a player fumbles the ball and has to momentarily use both hands to regain control, it is not considered a double dribble. This is because it has to be a controlled dribble.

This violation is pretty frequent with youth players. It is not always something easily noticed until a coach corrects their play.

Youth leagues might have slightly different rules. The referee always knows all of the basketball rules, though.

Coaches use specific drills. The reason is that it helps players develop better ball control.

Practicing dribbling with one hand is essential. Some use training like 'double drenching' when they practice to develop more skills. Players have to dribble, pick up the ball, and then pass or shoot within a limited time frame.

Another thing to teach is good passing to help develop good teamwork skills. This also helps avoid getting players into situations where they stop their dribble and have limited options, leaving their teammates as a good outlet.

Here's a helpful table for summarizing the key distinctions related to double dribbling:

Even pro players in the NBA occasionally get called for a double dribble. Though much more infrequent, it still happens.

In most of the NBA games, there are several referees. Sometimes one of them misses the call.

The double dribble impacts gameplay quite a bit. There is always potential to impact the basketball game in bad ways.

Turnovers like this give the defense free possession. This disrupts a team's offensive game plan.

A double dribble in basketball is a violation that occurs when a player dribbles the ball, stops their dribble by holding the ball with one or both hands, and then starts dribbling again. The Merriam-Webster defines a double dribble as,' an illegal action in basketball made when a player dribbles the ball with two hands simultaneously or continues to dribble after grasping the ball in one or both hands.'

Travel is a moving violation while holding onto the ball. Traveling happens by taking more steps than allowed or illegally moving the pivot foot. A double dribble violation, however, occurs after a completed dribble with the dribble starting again.

A double dribble is illegal so it forces players to think a play all the way through before driving towards the basket. Once a ball-handler ends a dribble, they become more defendable. Without the rule, they would be free to take the ball almost any distance as needed, resulting in an unfair advantage over defense.

Learning what double dribble is in basketball and its importance to the game is important as youth play begins. While on the surface, the rules are straightforward. Many different situations need clarification so it takes a while to fully grasp them.

Double dribbling gives insight into why rules are implemented in all sorts of sports and the role it has to teach all sorts of life skills, on and off the court.