If you’ve spent any time watching streetball or high-stakes NBA matchups, you’ve seen it. A player is driving toward the hoop, they suddenly stutter-step, and for a split second, the ball seems to just... hang there. It’s glued to their hand. No dribbling, no spinning, just physics-defying suspension. That, in its purest form, is palming someone.
Actually, let's get the terminology straight because "palming someone" is often used interchangeably with "carrying," though they aren't exactly the same thing in the eyes of a referee. When people talk about palming someone on the court, they’re usually describing a ball-handler who uses their grip strength and hand size to manipulate the ball’s gravity. It’s a tool for deception. It makes defenders look like they’re moving in slow motion.
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But here is the catch. It’s technically illegal.
The Fine Line Between a "Hesi" and a Carry
In the NBA, the rulebook defines a carry (or palming) as any time the hand is positioned under the ball during a dribble, causing it to come to a rest. It’s a violation. The ball should be moving in a continuous downward or upward motion. Once your palm faces the ceiling while the ball is in it, you’ve palmed it. You’ve "carried" it.
Why does it matter? Because it gives the offensive player an unfair advantage. If I can hold the ball in mid-air without ending my dribble, I can freeze you. You don't know if I'm going to shoot, pass, or explode to the rim. By the time I decide, your feet are stuck in cement.
The Jordan and Iverson Effect
We can't talk about palming someone without mentioning the legends who turned it into an art form. Michael Jordan’s hands were famously massive—about 9.75 inches long with a span of 11.375 inches. He didn't just palm the ball; he weaponized it. He could pick up a live dribble with one hand, fake a pass to the corner, and then bring it back for a layup, all while the ball stayed tucked against his palm.
Then came Allen Iverson. "The Answer" changed the way the league looked at the crossover. Iverson’s crossover was lethal because he would push the ball out, let it float at the apex of the bounce, and "palm" it just long enough to see which way the defender's hips were turning. Referees in the late 90s hated it. They called him for carrying constantly. But the move was too effective to die. Today, you see the lineage of that move in players like Ja Morant or Kyrie Irving. They push the absolute limit of what the rules allow.
Why Hand Size Actually Dictates the Game
Not everyone can palm someone. It’s a physical reality. To truly palm a regulation size 7 basketball, you need a certain level of hand span and grip strength. Most adult males can’t do it easily. You need about 9 inches of hand span (thumb to pinky) to get a secure grip.
Think about Kawhi Leonard. His "Klaw" logo isn't just marketing. His hands are 11.25 inches wide. When he palms someone on a drive, he isn't just holding the ball; he is controlling the entire geometry of the play. He can palming the ball while being fouled, keeping it secure while smaller guards would have it stripped.
But it’s not just about size. It’s about the moisture on your hands and the grip of the ball. A brand new, "dry" leather ball is significantly harder to palm than one that has been broken in. In the streetball world—places like Rucker Park or Venice Beach—palming is almost expected. It’s part of the flair. If you can’t make the ball look like it’s floating, you’re not doing it right.
The Evolution of the Carry Call
The way the NBA handles palming someone has shifted dramatically over the decades. Back in the 1960s, dribbling was a rigid, vertical affair. You hit the top of the ball. Period. If Bob Cousy had tried a modern-day "hesi" (hesitation move), the ref would have blown the whistle before he even reached the paint.
Fast forward to the 2022-2023 season. The NBA actually sent out a memo to teams saying they were going to start "cracking down" on carries. Why? Because the league realized that the offensive advantage had become too great. Players like Jordan Poole were getting called for three or four carries a game for a few weeks. It was a mess.
The players argued that the game had evolved. They weren't "carrying"; they were using "prolonged touches." It sounds like a legal loophole, and it basically is.
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Does it happen in the driveway?
Honestly, if you're playing pickup at the Y, nobody is calling a carry unless it's egregious. If you catch the ball like a loaf of bread and take three steps, yeah, someone's going to complain. But a little bit of palming during a crossover? That's just part of the modern game. You’ve gotta have some "sauce" on your handles.
How to Tell if You're Palming Someone (or Just Dribbling Well)
There is a simple test. During your dribble, where is your palm?
- Palm on top: Safe. You're dribbling.
- Palm on the side: The "gray area." Most modern crossovers live here.
- Palm underneath: You’re palming it. You’re carrying.
If you’re looking to improve your grip to pull off these moves, it’s less about "holding" the ball and more about the "push." Great ball-handlers use the friction of their fingertips. They aren't just squeezing the ball; they are using the upward momentum of the bounce to keep the ball tucked against their hand.
The Physics of the "Float"
When a ball bounces, it has a moment of zero velocity at the very top of its arc. This is where the magic happens. If you can time your hand to meet the ball at that exact peak, you can "ride" the ball's momentum. It looks like palming, but for a micro-second, the ball is actually weightless. Expert players use this window to scan the floor.
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It’s a rhythm thing. You bounce, you float, you explode. If you miss the timing, you have to "cup" the ball to keep it from falling, and that’s when the referee catches you.
The Controversy: Is it Ruining Basketball?
Traditionalists hate it. They think the lack of carry calls has made it impossible to play defense. If a player can palm the ball, they can change direction mid-stride without losing their dribble. That’s a nightmare to guard.
On the other hand, the "gravity" of the ball is what makes modern basketball so highlight-heavy. We want to see those ankle-breakers. We want to see the ball look like it’s on a string. Palming someone—in the sense of freezing them with a carry-adjacent move—is part of the entertainment value.
Master the Move Without Getting Whistled
If you want to incorporate this into your game without being that person who carries on every play, you need to work on your hand strength.
- Fingertip Pushups: These are brutal but effective. They build the tiny muscles in your hands that allow you to "catch" the ball's texture.
- Tacky Hands: Keep your hands clean. Sweat is the enemy of a good palm.
- The "Side-Dribble" Drill: Practice keeping your hand on the side of the ball, never letting it slip underneath. It’s the legal way to get that "float" effect.
Ultimately, palming someone is about the illusion of control. It’s about making the ball an extension of your body. Whether you’re Mike with the massive hands or just a kid on the playground trying to mimic a crossover, understanding the physics and the rules behind the palm is what separates a good player from a great one.
Actionable Steps for Players
To get better at controlling the ball and using the "palm" effect legally, start by practicing your "hesi" (hesitation) move without turning your palm upward. Focus on using your off-hand to "fake" a pickup—this draws the defender in without actually violating the carrying rule. Practice the "pound dribble" where you force the ball to the floor with maximum velocity; the harder the bounce, the more "stick" you'll get on the return, making it easier to control the ball at the top of the arc. Finally, record yourself in slow motion. You might think your hand is on the side of the ball, but the camera doesn't lie. If your palm is facing the sky, you're carrying. Correct the hand placement until the move is fluid, fast, and, most importantly, legal.