What is carrying in basketball? Why is it illegal? Why do players do it? Here’s everything you need to know about this all-too-common common violation in the NBA.
While watching a basketball game, you may have heard the announcers mention “carrying” or “palming.” If you’re a newer fan, you might be confused about what these terms mean. What is carrying, why is it illegal, and why do players do it? Here’s everything you need to know about this all-too-common violation in the NBA.
So What Is a Carry?
Carrying and palming are the same thing, and the NBA rulebook specifically states that this isn’t allowed: “A player who is dribbling may not put any part of his hand under the ball and (1) carry it from one point to another or (2) bring it to a pause and then continue to dribble again.”
To be clear, players are allowed to put their hand under the ball – they just can't follow this action up by carrying it from one point to another or bringing it to a pause. Carries typically happen when a player is trying to cross over a defender or hesitates while dribbling.
If a player is called for carrying, it counts as a turnover, and the other team is awarded possession of the basketball.
Why Is Carrying the Basketball Illegal?
The carrying rule was implemented because it disrupts the fluidity of the game and gives the ball-handler an unfair advantage. Carrying makes it easier for offensive players to change directions and makes them less predictable, which isn’t fair for the defenders guarding them.
However, it’s worth noting that in recent years, NBA referees rarely call carrying – just like they only call the most blatant traveling violations.
The NBA wants high-scoring games full of entertaining plays, so the league is less strict about carrying than in past eras (and even less strict than college basketball). It’s pretty common for NBA refs to look the other way when a player carries the ball. They briefly tried cracking down on carrying in 2022, with way more calls than usual, but it’s no longer whistled that frequently.
How Is a Carry Different From a Travel?
To understand the difference between a carry and a travel, let’s first examine the definition of a travel. The NBA rulebook defines traveling as follows: “Traveling is progressing in any direction while in possession of the ball, which is in excess of prescribed limits.”
Traveling refers to how many steps a player can take without dribbling, whereas carrying focuses on what a player is allowed to do with the ball in their hands.
Does Carrying Affect Fantasy Basketball?
Carrying violations can have a slight impact on fantasy basketball leagues, especially if a player is continually called for palming. Since carrying counts as a turnover, that means a player can lose points in a points league or negatively impact that category in a nine-category league.
For example, in 2022, the NBA briefly tried cracking down on carrying and certain players were impacted more than others. After 43 carries were called throughout the entire 2021-22 NBA season, there were 44 such calls during November of 2022. Players like Jordan Poole, who had grown accustomed to carrying, were suddenly racking up turnovers and hurting fantasy teams.
If the NBA decided to crack down on carrying again and make it a point of emphasis entering the upcoming season, it could impact certain ball-handlers and their turnover numbers.
Further reading: How Fantasy Basketball Scoring Works
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is carrying sometimes called palming?
When a player carries the ball, they are putting the ball in the palm of their hand and directing it from one point to another. "Palming" just seemed like a good description for this action since it’s where the ball rests as the player makes his move.
How can players avoid committing a carrying violation?
While dribbling, players should make sure their hand stays on top or on the side of the basketball. While a player's hand is allowed to go under the ball momentarily, it might be too tempting for the player to carry, especially if they are crossing over or hesitating. Practicing these moves without palming would help the player reduce their carries.
Why do so many players carry?
Many players grew up watching the NBA (or AND 1 Streetball), so they saw their idols carry left and right without getting called. This may have caused them to pick up some bad habits. Also, NBA players are always looking for an advantage, and if they know the refs aren’t going to call carrying, they’ll do it as long as they can get away with it.
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