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.