Carrying

Term from Sports Officiating industry explained for recruiters

Carrying is an important violation in basketball that officials must monitor and enforce. It happens when a player holds the ball incorrectly while dribbling, by placing their hand underneath or on the side of the ball instead of pushing it from the top. This is also sometimes called "palming" or a "carry violation." Identifying carrying violations is a key skill for basketball officials, as it helps maintain fair play and proper ball-handling techniques during games.

Examples in Resumes

Demonstrated expertise in identifying and calling carrying and palming violations in high school basketball games

Trained junior officials on proper carrying violation recognition and enforcement

Maintained consistent carrying violation calls during state championship tournaments

Typical job title: "Basketball Officials"

Also try searching for:

Basketball Referee Sports Official Basketball Official Game Official Basketball Judge Sports Referee

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How do you handle disagreements with coaches about carrying calls?

Expected Answer: A senior official should discuss maintaining professional communication, explaining calls clearly when appropriate, and demonstrating consistent judgment throughout the game while managing game flow and coach interactions effectively.

Q: How do you mentor new officials in recognizing and calling carrying violations?

Expected Answer: Should explain teaching methods for helping new officials recognize the difference between legal and illegal dribbling, using real game situations as examples, and providing constructive feedback during training sessions.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What's your process for determining whether a carrying violation has occurred?

Expected Answer: Should explain looking for hand position under the ball, watching for interrupted dribbling motion, and maintaining consistency in calls throughout the game.

Q: How do you adjust your carrying calls for different levels of play?

Expected Answer: Should discuss how standards might differ between youth, high school, and college levels while maintaining rule integrity and game flow appropriate to each level.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What is a carrying violation and how do you identify it?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that carrying occurs when a player's hand goes under or too far to the side of the ball during a dribble, and describe basic visual cues they look for.

Q: What's the difference between a legal dribble and carrying?

Expected Answer: Should explain that legal dribbling involves pushing the ball from the top, while carrying involves supporting the ball from underneath or stopping the dribble's continuous motion.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic understanding of carrying violations
  • Ability to make basic calls
  • Knowledge of fundamental basketball rules
  • Basic game management skills

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Consistent carrying violation recognition
  • Effective communication with coaches
  • Advanced positioning for better angles
  • Strong game flow management

Senior (5+ years)

  • Expert violation recognition
  • Mentoring other officials
  • High-level game management
  • Advanced situation handling

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Inability to explain basic basketball rules
  • Poor communication skills
  • Lack of physical fitness necessary for court coverage
  • No experience with organized basketball
  • Unable to handle conflict or pressure situations