Traveling

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by drofficial

I have been officiating 6 years.

Sounds about right. When I had 5 or 6 years of experience, I thought every single possible infraction of the rules needed to be called, too.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by drofficial

Respectfully, you are missing my point. I am not suggesting that we call 40 travels. I am simply making the observation that there are numerous traveling violations each game on this one, easy-to-call rule alone (pivot foot lifted before ball released on dribble). And the setting aside of this rule is compromising the integrity of the great game of BB.

NCAA Video Bulletin #3 just came out. Only 1 travelling play. Official incorrectly calls a travel.

John Adams quote: "The cautionary tale here is, unless you are sure it is travelling, it's not

[DLH17]

Originally Posted by drofficial

Hey Guys,
I follow this board, but don't chime in much. But I wanted to get your thoughts on this:

It seems to me that the blatant lack of travel calls at all levels is seriously and adversley affecting the game of BB. There are various ways that one can travel, but the rule that I have in mind is really very easy to see and call. But we don't. Rule 4.3.C (NFHS) states, "the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released to start a dribble."

This happens ALL THE TIME. Watch any college game and you will see this violation occur numerous times. It happens so often, and is never called, that we don't even think of it as a violation. But it is, plain and simple. I would estimate it happens more often than fouls--i.e., on average 40 plus times a game. Just watch a game and start counting and you will see what I mean. Yes, some (though certainly not all) of the violations are 40 feet from the basket and thus "no advantage is gained." But I am beginning to think that if we simply enforced this one rule consistently (and it would not be hard to do), the entire game of basketball would be changed for the better. The offense would not gain such a huge advantage on drives to the basket. There would be fewer fouls as defenders would not be put in obviously disadvantaged spots. Offensive players would have to show more skill - and probably more passing and teamwork, rather than all the dribble drives. In short, it would be a much better, and more fun game to play and officiate.

Because we have gotten to the point where this rule has been totally disregarded, it would take a massive top-down effort to enforce it again. I am certainly not advocating that we as officials take it upon ourselves to start calling it.

Thoughts?

If you doubt my assertions about the frequency of this violation, please just watch any game and look for this violation on every touch. Then start counting. The pivot cannot be lifted BEFORE the ball is released for a dribble.

I would estimate that a crew I'm working with will have, on average, one to two traveling calls per game.....for the exact reason in bold above. Game management is a part of the equation too, though.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

NCAA Video Bulletin #3 just came out. Only 1 travelling play. Official incorrectly calls a travel.

John Adams quote: "The cautionary tale here is, unless you are sure it is travelling, it's not

Well John is a direct threat to the integrity of the wonderful game of basketball.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Adam

Well John is a direct threat to the integrity of the wonderful game of basketball.

Now that is funny.

Peace