“No, no, no! That’s a travel!” Ever heard that while playing basketball with friends? Understanding traveling violations can be confusing, especially for new players. Let’s break down the rule and answer the age-old question: How Many Steps Is Traveling In Basketball, anyway?
The Myth of “Steps”
Here’s the thing: it’s not actually about the number of steps. The rule focuses on what players do with the ball once they’ve established a pivot foot.
Imagine you’re dribbling down the court in a pickup game at Venice Beach. You stop, pick up your dribble, and now one foot is “nailed” to the ground – that’s your pivot foot.
From here, you can:
- Pass the ball.
- Shoot the ball.
- Shuffle your pivot foot without lifting it.
What you can’t do is lift your pivot foot and put it down again before releasing the ball. That’s traveling.
Common Traveling Scenarios:
- The Hop Step: A player catches the ball in the air, lands on two feet, then jumps off both feet without establishing a pivot foot.
- The Shuffle: A player dribbles, picks up their dribble, then takes extra little steps or shuffles their feet trying to get open.
- The Spin Move Gone Wrong: A player attempts a spin move but lifts their pivot foot before releasing the ball.
