[Mregor]

Don't make this harder than it needs to be. Concentrate on the pivot and that will tell you if its a travel or not. Just like any other travel situation, you need to know whatth pivot foot is. If it is lifted and returned while in control of the ball, it's a travel. More times than not in the situation you are describing, the hop and the catch is one motion and the pivot isn't touching the floor when the catch/gather is made which makes it a legal move. That's all there is to it. Make that determination and move on to more important stuff.

When I was at Verne Harris camp years ago, this play was discussed. Verne's answer was he'd rather miss a travel call than call a good move a travel. If this is so prevalent in your area, what are the top officials calling. If it's prevalent, I'd say it's probably not a travel. Don't try to be the only Sherriff in town to male this call unless you are content with the games you are working.