Quote:
Originally Posted by Scrapper1
But there are restrictions on ANY player who is holding the ball regarding legal movement of the feet. A player who is holding the ball with both feet on the floor can lift one foot, making the other foot the pivot foot. Are you saying this restriction doesn't apply because something other than his/her feet is touching the floor?
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Correct, such a player is only subject to the restrictions in 4-44-5b (and the associated case book play rulings 4.44.5B&C). The rest of the traveling rule, 4-44, is for a player who is standing on his feet or airborne.
Consider a simplified version of the OP. The player is sitting on the floor and gains control of the ball. Both of the player’s feet are touching the floor. The player lifts both feet off the floor and returns them to the floor without moving otherwise. Would you penalize this action?
Consider a player in a prone position on the floor with the ball who has his toes in contact with the floor. If he lifts his feet by bending his knees and then returns his feet to the floor would you penalize him?
I believe that the traveling rule is simplified for a player in contact with the floor with other than a hand or foot because the officials need to be more occupied with looking for illegal contact as players dive and scramble for the ball as this action inherently puts players at greater risk of injury. Therefore, we are not tasked with observing a pivot foot, but only ensuring that a down player with the ball does not roll over or attempt to get up. To be watching for a pivot foot in such situations doesn’t make sense.