When is a travel, a travel?
 

I know, I know, there are two other threads going. But mine is different/better :D

My first year officiating a freshman girls basketball game. A girl anticipates a pass, steals it. The problem, she fumbled it in her arms without it hitting the floor for a minimum of 7 steps while covering 15ft on the floor. I called a travel. She was not doing it on purpose, but I assumed it had to be a violation to never put the ball down for that length of time and distance.

????

pfan

Why do you think it is different? ;)

And you since you know about the other thread, you already know if you were right or wrong.

What part of the rule limits time and distace in this scenario?

I think you answered your own question without realizing that you've done so.

It wasn't a question for me.

Welcome to being an official. Now it is your duty to stop calling the game by what you think that you know from playing and being a fan and start calling it according to the actual rules and case play interpretations.

Here is the relevant one for your situation:
4.44 SITUATION A:

A1 attempts to catch the ball while running rapidly. A1 muffs the ball, but succeeds in securing it before it strikes the floor. A1 then begins a *dribble, taking several steps between the time the ball was first touched until it was caught.

RULING: There has been no violation provided A1, after catching the ball, released the ball to start the dribble before the pivot foot was lifted from the floor. (4-15)

That's what fans do.