Airborne Player ...

[BillyMac]

Had a discussion with a colleague recently.

His situation: A1's pass is intercepted by B1. B1 then jumps in the air to pass the ball to a teammate and sees they are not open. B1, before landing, starts a dribble.

His interpretation: As long as B1 releases the ball to hit the floor before they return to the floor, this is not a traveling violation.

I say, "Au contraire. This is a traveling violation".

When an airborne player sees that the pass will be intercepted, purposely drops the ball, and touches the ball after it hits the floor, that player has traveled by starting a dribble with the pivot foot off the floor.

4-44-3-B: After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot: If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released on a pass or try for goal.

Now, if B1 is already airborne when he intercepts the pass, that's a different story.

Qu’en dites-vous?

My high school French III and IV teacher, Mrs. Schlefer, would be so proud of me.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

A1's pass is intercepted by B1. B1 then jumps in the air to pass the ball to a teammate and sees they are not open. B1, before landing, starts a dribble.

Need a patient whistle.

Of course, it doesn't say what happens after B1 releases the ball to "start" a dribble. If B1 is the first to touch the ball after B1 releases it, then it certainly is a dribble and thus, a traveling violation by starting a dribble with the pivot foot off the floor.

On the other hand, if after released, the ball just bounces on the floor and is caught by B2, then it's a legal bounce pass, and thus, no travel.

This is not an ambiguous hill that I'm ready to die on. Sorry if I wasted anybody's time. In fact, this may have been the second time that I broached this situation on the Forum.

Now, where are my car keys?

[justacoach]

Your pal is making s?it up, unsupported by any valid rules basis.

He can use that profound reasoning on the blacktop but not with anyone who has a glancing familiarity with the rules book.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by justacoach

Your pal is making it up, unsupported by any valid rules basis.

Just a poorly constructed question.