When does travel occur?

[Jay R]

This may have been discussed before but I couldn't find it by searching. A player jumps up to shoot and realizes that his shot will be blocked. He drops the ball to the floor. Has he traveled? Or does he have to touch the ball again to travel?

[BillyMac]

These situations should cover your question, and similar questions:

When an airborne player keeps control of an attempted shot that is blocked and is unable to release the ball and returns to the floor with it, that player has not traveled; it is a held ball.

If, in this situation, the shooter loses control of the ball because of the block, then this is simply a blocked shot and play continues.

If, in this situation, the defender simply touches the ball, and the airborne shooter returns to the floor holding the ball, it’s a traveling violation.

When an airborne player tries for goal, sees that the try will be blocked, purposely drops the ball, and picks up the ball after it hits the floor, that player has traveled by starting a dribble with the pivot foot off the floor.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

When an airborne player tries for goal, sees that the try will be blocked, purposely drops the ball, and picks up the ball after it hits the floor, that player has traveled by starting a dribble with the pivot foot off the floor.

Others disagree, but he doesn't have to pick it up/touch it again to meet the definition of a dribble.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Others disagree, but he doesn't have to pick it up/touch it again to meet the definition of a dribble.

I believe he does. Otherwise it could be interpreted as a pass, and you can legally lift your pivot foot first, and then make a pass. Maybe it's an ugly pass, but it's still a pass.

[Anchor]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I believe he does. Otherwise it could be interpreted as a pass, and you can legally lift your pivot foot first, and then make a pass. Maybe it's an ugly pass, but it's still a pass.

That would qualify as an understatement.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Others disagree, but he doesn't have to pick it up/touch it again to meet the definition of a dribble.

The NFHS case play is worded as Billy has written.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by just another ref

Others disagree, but he doesn't have to pick it up/touch it again to meet the definition of a dribble.

Really, so when the ball is just bouncing around on the floor after he drops it you are saying its a travel?

I've NEVER read or heard that.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Really, so when the ball is just bouncing around on the floor after he drops it you are saying its a travel?

I've NEVER read or heard that.

Agreed, I'll wait for the player to touch it first before calling this travel; there's no debate then about what happened. Dropping the ball becomes a pass if another player touches it.

[just another ref]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Really, so when the ball is just bouncing around on the floor after he drops it you are saying its a travel?

I've NEVER read or heard that.

When a player releases the ball, it is a judgment call what it is. This is not a shot. A pass is defined as "to another player," so therefore, in my judgment, if he drops the ball straight to the floor, it is not a pass. This leaves only a dribble. Violation when it hits the floor.

[canuckrefguy]

Originally Posted by just another ref

When a player releases the ball, it is a judgment call what it is. This is not a shot. A pass is defined as "to another player," so therefore, in my judgment, if he drops the ball straight to the floor, it is not a pass. This leaves only a dribble. Violation when it hits the floor.

That's true, but what I think the others were pointing out was the black/white nature of the language being used, and the idea that waiting to see the whole play is desirable.

I think we all know the play Jay had - and that he got it right.

[Nevadaref]

We have an old thread on this. I'm 100% certain of that.

[canuckrefguy]

Originally Posted by Jay R

This may have been discussed before but I couldn't find it by searching. A player jumps up to shoot and realizes that his shot will be blocked. He drops the ball to the floor. Has he traveled? Or does he have to touch the ball again to tavel?

This is the way it's always been explained to me: once you jump, you have two choices, provided a defender does not touch the ball - pass or shoot - before you can touch/hold the ball again.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

This is the way it's always been explained to me: once you jump, you have two choices, provided a defender does not touch the ball - pass or shoot.

Request time-out?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Request time-out?

Or wait for the horn to sound that ends the period?

[Jay R]

Originally Posted by canuckrefguy

This is the way it's always been explained to me: once you jump, you have two choices, provided a defender does not touch the ball - pass or shoot.

He did neither. He simply dropped the ball at his feet with no teammate in the vicinity.