That’s A Travel

Fans, coaches and players in most games will not hesitate to boisterously show their so-called expertise when it comes to traveling, whether or not a player has actually committed a violation. No matter the level of play, cries of “Traveling, that is traveling!” can easily be heard by officials.

Identifying a traveling violation is one of the toughest calls in basketball. Many feel it is the toughest call to make during a game because of the speed and frequency of decisions. So, it is important to understand why officials struggle to get the play right before diving into how to get the play right.

The Rule

We all know that good knowledge of the rules combined with patience and solid judgement are essential ingredients for officials in any game to reduce (PCC) Possession Consequence Calls. A distinct advantage is gained when a player commits a traveling violation (Omission) and a distinct advantage is lost when traveling is incorrectly called (Commission) by officials.

TRAVELING is moving a foot or feet in any direction in excess of prescribed limits while holding the ball. The limits on foot movements are as follows:

ART. 1 . . . A player who catches the ball with both feet on the floor, may pivot, using either foot. When one foot is lifted, the other is the pivot foot.

ART. 2 . . . A player, who catches the ball while moving or dribbling, may stop, and establish a pivot foot as follows:

a. If both feet are off the floor and the player lands: a. Simultaneously on both feet, either foot may be the pivot b. On one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch is the pivot. c. On one foot, the player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. d. Neither foot can be a pivot in this case. b. If one foot is on the floor: a. It is the pivot when the other foot touches in a step. b. The player may jump off that foot and simultaneously land on both. Neither foot can be a pivot in this case.

ART. 3 . . . After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot: a. The pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. b. If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. c. The pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released, to start a dribble.

ART. 4 . . . After coming to a stop when neither foot can be a pivot: a. One or both feet may be lifted, but may not be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal. b. Neither foot may be lifted before the ball is released, to start a dribble. ART. 5 . . . A player holding the ball: a. May not touch the floor with a knee or any other part of the body other than hand or foot. b. After gaining possession while on the floor and touching with other than hand or foot, may not attempt to get up or stand.

Plays

A player dives to the floor and slides, stops and rolls after gaining possession of the ball. A player takes an extra step while penetrating the free-throw lane to the basket. A player drags his or her pivot foot trying to pass the ball under defensive pressure. Most fans, coaches, players and officials can nail those traveling violations.

Then there is the spin move. Traveling violations stemming from that move quite often are missed by nearly everyone in the gym or arena. Everyone just seems to, well, admire the move. After all, it is one of the most athletic plays in basketball to watch. It is perfectly legal if performed correctly, but in most cases the spin move is used illegally and the violation is either missed or waved through by the officials. In fact, the spin move has been glorified by TV announcers, especially when a guard “spins” his or her way to the basket on a jump shot for a score. The move is applauded by fans and players. It is poetry in motion on the hardwood. It has been accepted by many in the basketball world and given a pass by officials, in most cases, as a traveling violation.

Why will not many high school and college officials rule traveling when the move is performed illegally? The problem lies with educating officials to identify an illegal spin move because it happens lightning-quick, especially at the higher levels of play. In a split-second, a ball handler will pound a dribble into the floor and turn his or her back to a defender while making a 360-degree move around that defender. It is a coordinated effort to create separation between himself or herself and the defender for an open shot attempt. It is a smart move for talented, coordinated players.

But here is where the alert and somewhat courageous official comes in. Quite often, the difference between a legal and illegal spin move involves a dribble or pivot foot. A spin move is legal as long as the ball handler spins, keeps his or her hand on top of the ball and continues the dribble as he or she attempts to get around the defender. The move is also legal if the ball handler spins on his or her plant/pivot foot and then goes up for a shot without dribbling again before that plant/pivot foot re- touches the ground. The spin move usually involves a perimeter player driving to the basket or a post player spinning around a defender deep in the free-throw lane.

The legal spin move does not always happen. More often than not, a player making a spin move will end the dribble, spin on his or her plant/pivot foot and bring that same foot down again before releasing the ball on a shot or pass. Officials all know that whenever the pivot foot is lifted and re-touches the floor again while the ball handler is still in possession, it is a traveling violation. Easy to say, but difficult to pick up sometimes during a game because of the misdirection involved with the spin move. Feet and bodies are moving right to left or left to right, arms are swinging, and by the time the shot is released, it can be too late for an official to process what just happened in the previous split-second.

An easy way to identify an illegal spin move without trying to identify the pivot foot is to determine the direction the ball handler is going. If that ball handler attempts to get around his or her defender to the left, the ball handler must pivot with his or her left foot, and swing his or her right leg around as he or she is spinning. The right leg and step past the defender’s hip creates the separation between the ball handler and the defender. At that point, look for a dribble. If the player dribbles, all is good. If the ball handler ends the dribble, look for the left foot. If it is on the ground before the shot is attempted, it is traveling. And that usually happens because players often need to bring that foot down again for balance and leverage to help push off while going up for a shot attempt or layup.

For a visual example, Google “Kobe Bryant’s Signature Spin Move.” That move is legal in the NBA because a player is “gathering the ball,” or allowed two (2) steps AFTER the pivot foot is lifted. It is not legal in high school basketball, but the three-minute video helps in identifying the pivot/plant foot and allows you to follow it as it touches the floor a second time in slow motion before the shot attempt.

What if a player spins to his or her right? Keep an eye on the right pivot/plant foot. A player must push off of that foot to swing his or her left leg around and create separation while dribbling with the left hand. If the dribble ends, thus establishing a pivot foot, and the right foot lands before the ball is passed or released on a shot attempt, it is a traveling violation.

In summary, the ball handler will end the dribble by pounding it into the floor while establishing a pivot foot and direction to spin. The closer the ball handler can keep the ball to his or her body, the quicker the move. If the ball handler goes to the left and the left foot comes down a second time on the floor, or goes right and the right foot lands before continuing the dribble or attempting a shot or pass, it is a traveling violation. That is all that needs to be explained to a questioning coach or player. The so-called experts in the stands will have to figure it out on their own!

Final Thoughts

Don’t guess on traveling. Don’t make a call because something doesn’t look right. If you’re not sure of the play, don’t blow your whistle. Errors of omission (missed it) or is it commission (incorrect ruling)? You don’t want to have any errors of commission. They are the worst kind of mistakes an official can make.

Checklist:

 To Identify a traveling violation: o When does the dribble end? o What is the status of the ball? o Has the player established a pivot foot? o Has the official identified the pivot foot? o What is the official’s position and angle to the play? o What can the player legally do with the pivot foot?  Three Types: Bunny hops, spin moves and Jump stops. Grow and learn during warm-ups  Watch post player’s tendencies as they receive entry passes: find the pivot foot, referee defense and pivot, look for extra footwork after receiving passes under defensive pressure  In transition, center should officiate across the entire court  It is not possible to travel while dribbling the ball, bobbling (no-control of the ball), or sliding with the ball. Open your mind, increase your basketball I.Q and make the call or no call the play. It will make a difference. #Grow2Learn