Palming
Palming is a fundamental violation in basketball officiating where a player illegally handles or carries the ball by placing their hand underneath it while dribbling. This is considered a basic rule violation that officials must watch for during games. Think of it like catching the ball from underneath while bouncing it, instead of pushing it down from above. It's similar to other ball-handling violations like double-dribble or traveling. Being able to spot and call palming violations is an essential skill for basketball referees at all levels, from youth leagues to professional games.
Examples in Resumes
Consistently identified and called palming violations in high school varsity basketball games
Trained junior officials on recognizing palming and other ball-handling infractions
Developed training materials for new referees on identifying palming violations
Typical job title: "Basketball Officials"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Basketball Officials
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Online Communities
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a controversial palming call in a championship game?
Expected Answer: A senior official should discuss maintaining composure, clear signal mechanics, proper game management, and effective communication with coaches and players while enforcing rules consistently regardless of game situation.
Q: Describe your approach to mentoring new officials on recognizing palming violations.
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate teaching methodology, breakdown of visual cues for spotting violations, and ability to develop other officials while maintaining game integrity.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key visual cues you look for when calling a palming violation?
Expected Answer: Should explain specific hand position relative to the ball, watching for the ball coming to rest, and maintaining proper positioning to see the violation clearly.
Q: How do you differentiate between legal ball handling and palming?
Expected Answer: Should discuss continuous motion vs. discontinued dribble, hand position, and common scenarios where palming occurs.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a palming violation?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the basic concept of illegal ball handling where the hand goes under the ball during a dribble, stopping continuous motion.
Q: What is the proper signal for calling a palming violation?
Expected Answer: Should know the official hand signal and verbal call for palming violations and when to use them during a game.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of basketball rules
- Ability to recognize obvious violations
- Basic whistle and signal mechanics
- Understanding of court positioning
Mid (2-5 years)
- Consistent violation recognition
- Effective game management
- Clear communication with coaches
- Proper mechanics and positioning
Senior (5+ years)
- Advanced game management
- Mentoring other officials
- Handling difficult situations
- Leadership in critical games
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to demonstrate proper hand signals
- Lack of knowledge about basic basketball rules
- Poor positioning on the court
- Inconsistent rule enforcement
- Inability to handle pressure situations
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