Why is this travel?

[bob jenkins]

He's either dribbling or he's holding the ball. Judging that is why we get paid the big bucks.

In practice it's not as hard as you seem to be describing it.

You also seem to want to define everything in overly measurable amounts. That's not the rule and not going to happen.

[#olderthanilook]

jenkins is right, po-tay-to (as samwise gamgee says it). Mash 'em, boil 'em, put 'em in a stew.....

Anyhow, a player is either dribbling or not. The dribble comes to an end when the player holds, passes, attempts a try for goal, is granted a time out, is fouled....or....wait for it.....

....when the ball comes to rest in his hand. If he dribbles after the ball comes to a rest, then the dribble is over because he committed a carrying violation.

If the ol' boy can manage to quadruple time it while dribbling and fit a dozen steps in between dribbles, more power to him. I've actually seen players do something similar - sorta do a standing sprint while maintaining a dribble. It can be confusing to lesser experienced defenders because it does look sorta look goofy, but legal.