Double dribble
A basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
Overview
A player may dribble the ball with one hand at a time. A double dribble is called either when the player uses both hands on the ball during a dribble, or when they stop their dribble by catching the ball and then start dribbling again.
Like traveling, a double dribble is a violation rather than a foul and results in a turnover, with the ball awarded to the opposition from the sideline.
Key points
- Only one hand may control the ball on each dribble.
- Once a dribble is picked up, the player may pass or shoot but not dribble again.
- Touching the ball with both hands ends the dribble.
- A double dribble is a violation, not a personal foul.
Where it’s used
Sports that use double dribble:
Related rules
Traveling
A basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
Shot clock
A timing rule that requires the attacking basketball team to attempt a shot within a set number of seconds.
Backcourt violation
A basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Double dribble in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- TravelingBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Shot clockBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Backcourt violationBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- GoaltendingBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Personal fouls and free throwsBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Double dribble to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Officiating
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Rule
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-12
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