Travel On "Weird" Step Back Move

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by ballgame99

I don't think I would call that a travel at game speed. Unless the dribbler clearly puts his hand under the ball. In the linked video he is keeping his hand on top of the ball during the hesitation.

Are you suggesting that hand position is the deciding factor?

Is it possible for the hand to be under the ball and not be illegal?

Is it possible for the hand to be on top of the ball and be illegal?

[HokiePaul]

At 3:50, the instructor makes the point about when the ball can be picked up to establish the correct pivot foot to make this play legal. If the players make the move as instructed, it's not a travel. Obviously when he demonstrates the play at half speed he is holding the ball much sooner. But I believe to answer the original question, this move is not necessarily a travel.

[ballgame99]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Are you suggesting that hand position is the deciding factor?

Is it possible for the hand to be under the ball and not be illegal?

Is it possible for the hand to be on top of the ball and be illegal?

When has a dribble ended? When a. The dribbler catches or causes the ball to come to rest in one or both hands. or b. The dribbler palms/carries the ball by allowing it to come to rest in one or both hands. So yes, hand position is a significant factor. It is hard for a ball to "come to rest" in a hand that is above the ball. Now one can "palm/carry" a ball with your hand on top, but that would mean you are exerting some sort of control over the ball to make it do something other than its normal bouncing motion. In the play in question the dribbler doesn't do anything with the ball that would meet either of those criteria. He let's the ball's natural bounce hang in the air while he creates space with his feet before ending the dribble by grabbing it with both hands. If he were to let the ball hang in the air with his hand under the ball it would be much easier to rule that the dribble had ended and therefore he was traveling.

All I'm saying is if I see this move at full speed and the dribbler keeps his hand above the ball I ain't calling it.

I do not have a travel based on the instructors demonstration of the move at 4:10.