Traveling is one of the fundamental rules in basketball that pertains to the movement of players with the basketball. When a player holding the basketball moves their feet beyond a set limit without dribbling, it is called traveling. This violation is a key part of the game's rules and is crucial to understand for anyone involved in the sport.
Traveling occurs when a player holding the ball moves one or both feet illegally. More specifically, the rules state that after a player has taken more than two steps without the ball being dribbled, a traveling violation is called. The NBA, FIBA, and NCAA all have slightly different interpretations of this rule.
The violation can happen in several ways:
Pivot Foot: Once a pivot foot is established, it cannot be lifted before the ball is released to dribble. If the pivot foot is lifted, it must not return to the floor before the ball is released from the hands.
Excess Steps: In most leagues, players are allowed two steps after they gather the ball during a dribble before they must either pass, shoot, or continue dribbling. Taking more than the allowed steps results in a traveling call.
Beginning a Dribble: A player must dribble the ball before lifting their pivot foot to avoid a traveling violation.
The traveling rule is in place to:
Prevent an Unfair Advantage: It prevents players from taking extra steps that would give them an unfair advantage in covering distance without dribbling.
Encourage Skill Development: It encourages players to develop dribbling skills and to play the game in a controlled manner.
Traveling calls can have a significant impact on the game. A traveling violation results in a turnover with the opposing team gaining possession of the ball. This enforces discipline in footwork and ball handling.
Traveling can be complex due to various movements that might look like traveling but are not. For example:
Eurostep: A move where a player takes two steps in alternating directions after picking up their dribble is not considered traveling if done correctly.
Jump Stop: Landing on two feet simultaneously after jumping off one foot allows the player to establish a new pivot foot, which is not traveling.
Some common misunderstandings include:
Zero Step: In the NBA, the "gather step" is not counted as one of the two steps, which can appear to be three steps to the casual observer.
Lifting the Pivot Foot: Players often believe they can lift their pivot foot before starting a dribble, but this is not allowed and is considered traveling.
The traveling rule is essential for maintaining fairness and encouraging skillful play in basketball. Understanding the specifics of what constitutes traveling is important for players to effectively participate in the game and for fans to fully appreciate the skill involved in high-level basketball footwork. Whether you are a player, coach, or fan, recognizing the nuances of the traveling rule enhances the experience of the game.
