Please help me with the following example. Something I see all the time with partners and observing high school games in my area in general. Am I missing something?
The receiving player is behind the 3 point arc. His body is open to the passer prior to catching the pass. After receiving the pass he pivots on the foot farthest from the previous passer (in other words, if hes on the right side of the arch he pivots on the right foot and if hes on the left side of the arch he pivots on the left foot. He then plants the other foot. He next takes a baby step with the foot he used for the original pivot, in order to square to the basket. He has essentially switched from one pivot foot to another. I would contend this is a travel, yet I rarely see it called, despite the fact that it occurs multiple times in most of the games I watch or officiate.
When Ive asked other officials about it they usually acknowledge my interpretation is correct, but point out that nobody makes that call so its best left alone. I would argue that this does create an competitive advantage for the shooter, as it allows him to get squared to the basket before releasing, which in theory will result in a higher success rate in making the shot.
On the other hand, I occasionally see the same scenario with the only difference being that the catch is made on or just in front of the arc. The player then pivots backward, switches his pivot foot and takes a small step backward with the original pivot foot. In this situation the travel call is rarely if ever missed.
Dennis
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Mon Dec 20, 2004, 03:27pm
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