Question on starting a dribble
 

I've been a football official for 7 years and now starting on Basketball. I have been asked a question, that I think I know the answer but am not not sure.

Situation is, if a player gains control of a loose ball while on laying on the court, can the player start to dribble and get up raising to their feet?

My thought is no, because "a dribble starts by pushing, throwing or batting the ball to the floor before the pivot foot is lifted." Since the player is on the ground in a prone position, they are not able to establish a pivot foot, thus they are not able to start a dribble. Is this the correct way to rule/think on this?

Incorrect

Ask yourself this question...is it possible to travel while dribbling the ball? Hint: NFHS basketball rules fundamentals

And further to Gamer's comments, if you can't find the answer in the rule book, your next task is checking the case book.

See NFHS case book play 4.44.5SitB.

No. Nothing prohibits the player from starting a dribble before pivoting at all. The rule only requires the dribble be released BEFORE they lift the pivot foot...which is impossible to do if they haven't established one yet.

A player who catches the ball while standing on both feet doesn't have a pivot foot....your thinking would require the player to pivot before they could dribble. And that is clearly not the case.

So, another way to think about this one is that it is illegal to start a dribble after the pivot foot is lifted. If they have not lifted it, it is not illegal to start a dribble.

How About A Little Traveling Music Sammy ...
 

The traveling rule is one of the most misunderstood rules in basketball. To start a dribble, the ball must be released before the pivot foot is lifted. On a pass or a shot, the pivot foot may be lifted, but may not return to the floor before the ball is released. A player may slide on the floor while trying to secure a loose ball until that player’s momentum stops. At that point that player cannot attempt to get up or rollover. A player securing a ball while on the floor cannot attempt to stand up unless that player starts a dribble. A player in this situation may also pass, shoot, or request a timeout. If the player is flat on his or her back, that player may sit up without violating.

Great Summary
 

Great summary Billy, I'm going to have this printed on little cards and handed out at games or maybe dropped from a blimp at the half or shot out of a cannon by cheerleaders.

Wow! You let cheerleaders have access to a cannon? That's gutsy! :D

Seriously, I agree - great summary....

It is a TS Cannon - formerly known as a Tee Shirt Cannon - now the Travel Summary Cannon.

lol...awesome