[M&M Guy]

Now guys, we just might be missing out on an opportunity to help relieve this world of a small bit of ignorance. Granted, we may know this was "dumb" question, but perhaps World Wide Fan may never have had an opportunity to discuss this with a real official, so he may have been laboring under this misconception for all these 40 years.

So, here goes:

These rules are from the National Federation rule book, which most middle schools and high schools use throughout the country. There are also NCAA rules for college, and FIBA rules for international play.

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

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.

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
1. simultaniously on both feet, either foot may be the pivot foot.
2. on one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch is the pivot foot.
3. on one foot, the plyer may jump off that foot and simultaniously land on both. Neither foot can be the pivot foot.

b. - If one foot is on the floor
1. it is the pivot foot when the other foot touches in a step
2. the player may jump off that foot and simultaniously land on both, in which case neither foot is the pivot foot.

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.

4) After coming to a stop where neither foot can be the pivot foot
a. - One or both feet may be lifted, but not 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.

5) A player holding the ball
a. - may not touch the floor with a knee or any other part of the body other than a hand or foot.
b. - after gaining possesion while on the floor and touching with other than the hand or foot, may not attempt to get up or stand.

Ok, there it is. Notice how it doesn't say anywhere about 1 step, 2 steps, 3 steps, etc. It can be summed up (maybe a little too simply) by saying traveling is lifting a pivot foot before releasing the ball at the start of a dribble, or replacing the pivot foot before releasing the ball on a pass or shot. It can also be called when falling to the floor while holding the ball, or getting up off the floor while holding the ball. The hardest part in this rule is picking out which foot is the pivot foot. But now, with a little practice, you too can become knowledgeable about the travel rule and amaze your friends. Hopefully you can pass this along to some of the less-knowledgeable people around you in the stands, and together we can slowly eradicate one of the rules "myths" that abound in this game.