He bobbled. Did he travel?

[JeffTheRef]

and, as I think this thread's responses have shown, it is difficult and important. One of the most common errors I see is when a player is called for a travel, say, when falling down trying to control the ball. It all depends on when control is gained.

In a local D2 college game a few years back, a long pass ended up on the catcher's shoulder, and the player managed to balance the ball there while taking a few steps till he had reached up and back to gain control. The ruling was he didn't have control. 'Balancing' the ball on your shoulder is not control . . . although, what would you do if some clown headed the ball in little bumps, soccer-style? Is THAT control?