Traveling

[hoopguy]

I have been noticing at all levels of play the escalation of the 3 step layup. For some reason there are a lot of players that are learning that on a right handed layup, they pick the ball up while on the left foot then step on the right then left and jump.

I am going to blame this on the NBA but I also think it has to do with the prevalence of using the jump stop. Right handed players typically jump off the left foot to use the jump stop which is legal. Because they are learning to pick up their dribble on the left foot on the jump stop, they continue to do that with the traditional lay up. That is my theory anyway...

The classic NBA example of this that I see is Rondo. It is probably legal in the NBA but he often picks up his dribble on his left foot then changes direction on the right foot and then steps with his left and lays the ball in. Any time you see a change of direction with the right foot and then step on the left and then jump then you have a 3 step layup.

The key is being able to see where the player picked up their dribble. On a right handed layup, did the player pick up their dribble on the right foot or the left foot? Right foot ok, left foot is a travel.

I know that the travel definition is based on pivot foot not on steps but 3 steps still means the player must have travelled.