Ask a Ref: Pivot Foot & Traveling (Video)

[meddie24]

I understand the game, been reading various rule books to check, but I continue to watch players do specific things on the court and need some clarification.

Any help thank you ... sorry if example is long.

EXAMPLE: The offensive post catches a pass from the top of the key, their placement is a three to four steps below the FT line. When they catch the pass with both feet on the floor, their back is to the basket, defender behind them.

They now have the ability to choose their pivot foot. Imagine they left forward pivot (their left foot is their pivot foot now, right foot is free to move) and they are now facing the basket. They shot fake and plan to go to the left of the defender still in front of them.

Facing basket still they do an "Up and Under". They move their right foot to their left side, which is to the right of the defender who is facing them. The right foot hits the ground and they now lift their left foot off the ground (pivot foot) and shoot the left handed layup.

Final Shot would be right foot on ground, left foot off the ground, all pushing their movement forward and toward the basket.

Primary example is Morgan Tuck from Uconn, she is constantly doing this up and under move. No travel? Video example at 1:55 mark HERE

Another Video of Tuck HERE at 1:45 mark. Looks like she may have traveled to start her drive but its the finish where my question comes into play. It's close but always looks like she lifts that pivot foot before the ball leaves her hand.

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My question is how is this not a travel? No dribble was used, I understand that, and you could just say they dribbled once when the originally forward pivoted still having right foot free, left foot pivot.

When they Up and Under and step to the left with the right foot aren't they traveling the moment they lift that left foot because the ball is still in their hand? The ball doesn't actually leave their hand until they are moving towards the upward motion on their newly planted right foot towards the left handed layup.

If this isn't a layup, then couldn't a guard catch the ball on the three point line. Never dribble but after a couple seconds take a step to the right with the right foot, lifting the back foot lunging themselves forward and before the left foot touches down again shoot the ball? Instead of a normal shot, both feet leaving ground at same time they are taking stepping shot without a dribble to bring their forward motion.

A better example is the Jordan and Kobe turn around jumper. They turn themselves to shoot but lift off both feet, they don't perform some weird step back style shot off the back foot, which is utilized off the dribble. But again they are in a non-dribble situation where they have their pivot foot and are leaving off both feet, not lifting the pivot foot to gain distance and vertical off the opposite planted foot.

Sorry if none of that made sense... hope you get what I am asking.

Thanks to anyone who read all that and helps ... I won't even bring up Lebron's three steps or massive push off every time to the basket.