I am a parent, not an official. I hope it is OK to post here. My question is: What is the proper way to BEGIN a dribble. My son is getting called repeatedly for travelling. He is not sliding around or picking up his pivot foot. It has something to do with his takeoff. I have searched for info and cannot find anything, so I am asking the experts! Thanks for any help you can offer.

If he's getting the call when he starts his dribble, there's no other answer: He's picking up his pivot foot prior to releasing the ball.

If it was one official who repeatedly made this call, then you could attribute it to him not seeing the play or simply missing the call. But if he's repeatedly getting this call from many different officials, then he's picking up his pivot. All of those officials aren't going to be wrong.

contrary1965,
Like Tony, said. The pivot is probably being lifted.

Look to see which foot (pivot) is down when he receives the ball, and which foot moves when the dribble starts.

Look to see if he takes a little hop (ever so slightly) off both feet before the dribble begins. That, too, would be a violation of initiating a dribble with the pivot foot raised. I'll bet he's very quick, but his hands and feet are just a little outa timing.

mick

I have a couple of players who have problems with this. One plays too upright, and tend to bounce a bit. The other lifts the pivot foot when starting a strong move after a couple of good jab fakes/sweeps/fake sweeps. For the former, I am really working on getting her hips down into a good stance - when she does this her travels immediately cease. But years of habits are hard to break. The other I really emphasize feeling a strong push off the pivot foot - if you are giving a good push off when you start your move, you aren't traveling cause that pivot foot is down solid.

This wasn't addressed so I will: no, parents are not allowed here, now beat it! :p

Welcome aboard, post often!

Contrary --

Just in case you don't get Dan's humor, and a lot of us think he's pretty far gone, he's joking. Actually, as long as you ask your questions as politely as you did, and don't get defensive or hostile, we will be delighted to have you here. You might even get an award of some kind for being the ONLY REASONABLE PARENT IN THE U.S. We might hand out your bio and some quotes at our games. Or not, if you don't want.

As far as the travelling, if it's more than one ref calling it, maybe the timing of his release of the ball is a little late. Perhaps he could work on how his hands look on the ball, so that he's more clearly releasing earlier in the rhythm.

But Dan, I thought you had kids. . . :confused: Well, I guess there is a resemblance to the UPS guy. . . Ok, you can stay! :D

The UPS guy? Hmmmm...now I know why my younger son's name is Julio Jr. :eek:

LOL :) Thanks for taking it in the spirit intended!

Dear Contrary,

Sometimes the folks on this board are diverted easily, please excuse them. Welcome to the board. Please reread BktBallRef, Hawks Coach & Mick , et al. They are right on. I'm also surprised rainmaker didn't suggest to video tape your son during a game, she's usually suggesting refs review video of themselves to improve. My daughter is very quick and had a habit of engaging her feet before the ball was in gear. I could talk 'till I'm blue in the face but untill I showed her on tape she wouldn't listen. It has to be in game / pressure situations. Good Luck!

Thanks, Stan

[Edited by Stan on Dec 11th, 2003 at 11:31 AM]

Hmmmmm, am I in the "distracted" group, or the "et. al." group? You know, my dad's name is Al. Speaking of Al, anybody think Al Sharpton has a chance in the election? I thought Matthew Broderick's character was pretty pathetic in "Election". Not a very funny movie. Although, my daughter thought the new Looney Toons movie was hysterical. Much better than "Space Jam". That one had Michael Jordan in it. Jordan's not much of an actor, but he sure was a great basketball player.

Man, I love talking hoops!!

Chuck,

Big LOL!

...which is why your mom named you Chuck Jr?

LMAO! :D

Good point, Stan, I guess I fall into the "diverted" category!