Traveling or not?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This play happened last night in a 15U game at the Conn. Starters Girls Summer Classic.

A1 has possession of the ball for a throw-in in front of Team B's bench. A1 passes the ball to A2 in Team A's front court. A2 catches the ball while standing still. A2 holds the ball against her body with her left hand arm, raises her left foot and wipes the bottom of her left shoe. A2 then puts her left foot back down and shifts the ball to her right hand and arm and now picks up her right foot and wipes the bottom of her right foot with her left hand. A2 then returns her right foot to the floor.

Yes, its traveling. But it was our fifth of six games yesterday and our eleventh of twelve games for Saturday and Sunday, and I, as the Trail, stood there fat, dumb, and stupid, while A2 traveled and I never blinked an eye. At halftime Team A's assistant coach asked us about it and we all had a good laugh.

[BktBallRef]

Now infamously known as the Connecticut 2 Step!

[Oz Referee]

Yes it is travelling, BUT....

For the first time ever, FIBA referee's have been instructed to take advantage/disadvantage into account when penalising violations (the specific examples stated are three-seconds, inbounds after a basket, and travelling).

So in this case, I think a no-call is probably the way to go, since it sounds like the player received no advantage.

[Tim Roden]

I guess that also falls under the same catagory of why we don't always call carrying. Advantage/Disadvantage. Did the person go anywhere doing this move? No. Did the person gain a step in trying to get past an opponent? No. Was the person able to turn a two point shot into a three? No. I saw no advantage so why should you call it?

[ChuckElias]

Mark, did you come all the way to Connecticut just to work a 15U tourney?!?!

Chuck

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by ChuckElias
Mark, did you come all the way to Connecticut just to work a 15U tourney?!?!

Chuck

I know - of all the states to visit . . . sheesh!

At least my state now has something named after it!!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally posted by ChuckElias
Mark, did you come all the way to Connecticut just to work a 15U tourney?!?!

Chuck

The Connecticut Starters Girls Basketball Club sponsor the tournament. When I was on the AAU Girls National Staff in the early 90's the Starter's hosted the 12U's National in 1993 and I was assigned to the tournament. The tournament's Dir. of Off. and I are on IAABO committees together and I have been coming to Hartford for the Starters Summer Classic ever since then. It is a great tournament and I get to officiate with local officials that I met back in 1993.

[ChuckElias]

Mark, out of curiosity, did you meet or work with a guy named Mike Lavelle? He's a ref from my area, but I'm pretty sure he was working there last weekend. Does the name ring a bell?

Chuck

[bigwhistle]

Originally posted by Tim Roden
I guess that also falls under the same catagory of why we don't always call carrying. Advantage/Disadvantage. Did the person go anywhere doing this move? No. Did the person gain a step in trying to get past an opponent? No. Was the person able to turn a two point shot into a three? No. I saw no advantage so why should you call it?

Sure sounds like Tim is almost moving over to the dark side!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I like reading Duane's perspective on the rules, but IMHO, the play that occured in Hartford last weekend is traveling everytime it happens no matter what rules code is being used.

[Oz Referee]

Mark,

There is no doubt that this "move" is a travel everytime it happens - the question is Should it be called everytime? IMHO it shouldn't - if there is no advantage, then let it go.