Travel or not?

[Nevadaref]

Question on which I would like the opinions of the folks here.

A2 and A3 jump for a defensive rebound. While both are airborne A2 catches the ball and A3 bumps into him. A2 is off balance and lands on his butt. A2's feet didn't touch the floor until after he landed on his backside.

Do you whistle a travel at this point or do you allow A2 to land on his butt because his feet never touched the court?

[SNIPERBBB]

I believe at one point there was a case play on it that has since gone away. IIRC, it was legal.

[SC Official]

NFHS: You cannot touch the floor with any part of the body other than the hand or foot while holding the ball.

4.44.5 Situation A (2013-14 Case Book)

Is it traveling if A1 falls to the floor: (a) while holding the ball; or (b) after being airborne to catch a pass or control a rebound? RULING: Yes in both (a) and (b).

NCAA-M: Nothing in the rules about touching the floor with something other than the hand or foot. Falling to the playing court without maintaining a pivot foot is a violation. If the player falls to the court without the foot ever touching, I don't believe that would be a violation.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SC Official

NFHS: You cannot touch the floor with any part of the body other than the hand or foot while holding the ball.

4.44.5 Situation A (2013-14 Case Book)

Is it traveling if A1 falls to the floor: (a) while holding the ball; or (b) after being airborne to catch a pass or control a rebound? RULING: Yes in both (a) and (b).

NCAA-M: Nothing in the rules about touching the floor with something other than the hand or foot. Falling to the playing court without maintaining a pivot foot is a violation. If the player falls to the court without the foot ever touching, I don't believe that would be a violation.

Same for NCAAW -- but there is that confusing case to the effect that "it's traveling because it's virtually impossible to fall to the floor without moving the pivot foot."

What if the player gets the ball and then rises, without moving the pivot foot?

[RefsNCoaches]

Sounds like that one is gonna hurt!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

It is traveling under all three rules sets: NFHS, NCAA Men's, and NCAA Women's. This has been traveling going back prior to the National Basketball Committee of the United States and Canada split into the NFHS and NCAA Men's Rules Committees. Nothing in the definition of Traveling has changed going back over well over 55 years.

It is, however, legal under FIBA Rules if my memory serves me correctly.

MTD, Sr.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

It is traveling under all three rules sets: NFHS, NCAA Men's, and NCAA Women's. This has been traveling going back prior to the National Basketball Committee of the United States and Canada split into the NFHS and NCAA Men's Rules Committees. Nothing in the definition of Traveling has changed going back over well over 55 years.

It is, however, legal under FIBA Rules if my memory serves me correctly.

MTD, Sr.

There is nothing in the current NCAA-Men's rule or case books that make the OP's play a travel.

[soadyp]

25.2.3. A player falling, lying or sitting on the floor:
• It is legal when a player falls and slides on the floor while holding the ball or, while lying or sitting on the floor, gains control of the ball.
• It is a violation if the player then rolls or attempts to stand up while holding the ball.