Traveling Help!?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

What rule would make this illegal?

Well, this is the source of the debate:

4-44-3...After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot:
(a) The pivot foot may be lifted, but not returned to the floor, before the ball is released...
(b) If the player jumps neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released....

Those arguing legal cite a., those arguing illegal cite b. No definition of "jumps" exists in the book. Some say that the move must be a 'step' where the right foot touches before the left leaves the court. Others argue that once both feet are off the ground it is a jump.

Of course, that says that what most of us view as a legal layup would be traveling as when running both feet are off the court at the same time. I can also see the argument in an exaggerated move that most of us would truly look at like a jump rather than a step-through or running move, that those arguing (b) have merit.

[Adam]

Right, I figured that was the debate. It's a judgment call, IMO, whether he "jumps" or "steps."

[slow whistle]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

Some say that the move must be a 'step' where the right foot touches before the left leaves the court.

I like this explanation - if this doesn't happen it is at least a hop which to me is closer to a jump than it is to a step. Plus this move is uglier than all get out. Travel

[Adam]

Originally Posted by slow whistle

I like this explanation - if this doesn't happen it is at least a hop which to me is closer to a jump than it is to a step. Plus this move is uglier than all get out. Travel

Have you ever seen a player run and not be momentarily airborne between steps? This explanation doesn't work, IMO.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Have you ever seen a player run and not be momentarily airborne between steps? This explanation doesn't work, IMO.

In fact, the common definitions of running require that both feet be off the ground at the same time...otherwise it is not running...

From a Wickipedia article:

In humans and other bipeds, walking is generally distinguished from running in that only one foot at a time leaves contact with the ground and there is a period of double-support. In contrast, running begins when both feet are off the ground with each step. (This distinction has the status of a formal requirement in competitive walking events, resulting in disqualification at the Olympic level.)

So, the rule about not returning the floor after "jumping" can't simply depend on both feet being off the floor at the same time. Otherwise, the layup would be illegal.