Basketball Rules - Carrying the Ball

One of the most basic rules of basketball is a violation called "carrying".  Carrying the ball is also referred to as "palming".  This violation occurs when the offensive player makes a high dribble, or if his hand is on the side of the ball while he's dribbling.  By rule, his hand should be on top the basketball while he's dribbling.  If he takes a dribble and maneuvers around the defensive player with his hand clasping the ball it gives him an unfair advantage and the referee will call him for a carrying or palming violation.  The basic basketball rule for carrying is the same in high school and college basketball games but is a little more lenient in the NBA.