Basketball Rules:  Double Dribble

What is the official basketball rule for a double dribble?

Per basic basketball rules, there are basically two ways a player can get a double dribble violation.

The first way is if the player bounces the ball with both hands.  If this happens the referee will call a double dribble and award possession of the basketball to the defensive team.

The second way a double dribble will be called is if a player dribbles the ball.  Then stops dribbling.  Then starts dribbling the basketball again, or if he has already stopped dribbling and then he drops the ball to the ground and reclaims it.

The double dribble is one of the most basic rules of basketball.