How Many Steps Is A Travel In Basketball? With Examples – Basketball Word!
We all watch the NBA or basketball highlights and see a play that leads to dunk, then stop and think how many steps did he take? was that legal. We think the referee missed the call, actually, we know the referee missed the call. So we question ourselves?
How many steps is a travel in basketball? Taking more than two steps with control of the ball is considered a travel, so in this case, three steps is a travel. Oftentimes a player will catch the ball while taking a step but not have full control of it and then take two more steps for a layup or dunk, this is legal. It is only a travel violation if the referee blows the whistle.
Travel violations can happen in many ways, but in the end, you are technically allowed two steps when in control of the ball. Taking more than two steps is not the only way to travel, let’s look at what else is considered a travel.
More On Travelling
We can say that 3 steps is a travel but really it depends, for example picking up your pivot foot is a travel and that’s one step. If you catch the ball in motion it has to be out of your hands bypassing, shooting, or dribbling, if not this can be a travel. Jumping up and down with the ball is a travel, so it obviously depends on the type of violation.
Easy to Understand Travel Violations
Below I have listed the rules to traveling as per the NBA rule book but if you don’t want to go through the fluff I will list in simple terms what other ways in basketball is a travel besides taking more than two steps.
In no particular order doing these things may result in a travel violation call:
Picking up the pivot foot.
If you land with a left then right and while catching the ball the first foot which in this case is the left is the pivot foot. If you use the right foot it is actually a travel.
Switching pivot feet.
Taking more than two steps without a dribble or motion to shoot.
Standing still you may not take a step without a dribble before the pivot foot is released.
Catching your own airball is a travel, it must hit the backboard or rim or touch another player.
You may not jump up and down with the ball you must release it on the way up, and catch it mid-air on the way down.
You may not take two steps after a jump stop.
If you fall to the ground you may not slide, roll or move on the floor with the ball.
Pass to yourself off the backboard unless you’re in motion to layup/dunk it.
Jab step to quickly and in the process pick up your pivot foot before dribbling the ball.
Catching the ball and then taking your two steps to set up for a shot at the hoop.
Up and Under is usually done in the post, you fake out the defender with a shot, defender jumps and you go underneath him by taking a step, you must be in the process of shooting the ball as you lift up your pivot foot.
Nba Rules on Travelling
So what do the rules say I will go over them using the NBA Rule Book as a reference, most of these rules are universal. You can find the traveling rules in Section XIII—Traveling.
1 . A player who receives the ball while standing still may pivot, using either foot as the pivot foot.
A player who catches the ball and is standing still can pivot but can not take any steps.
2. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball.
This is pretty clear you are given 2 steps to come to a complete stop, pass or shoot. Sometimes this isn’t always called when it is more than 2 steps as the player is running it may be difficult to catch, happens all the time in the NBA where the player looked like they took 3 steps.
3. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing must release the ball to start his dribble before his second step.
I feel this could have been worded better, usually, the ball is not in full control of the player’s hand until the second step which isn’t a travel. Even when the ball is in full control a lot of players do not put the ball down by the second step more like they have already taken their second step and now dribbled not released the ball.
The first step occurs when a foot, or both feet, touch the floor after gaining control of the ball.
The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the floor, or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.
A player who comes to a stop on step one when both feet are on the floor or touch the floor simultaneously may pivot using either foot as his pivot. If he jumps with both feet he must release the ball before either foot touches the floor.
A player who lands with one foot first may only pivot using that foot.
A progressing player who jumps off one foot on the first step may land with both feet simultaneously for the second step. In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot and if one or both feet leave the floor the ball must be released before either returns to the floor.
This is why in basketball footwork is so important, there are many ways to travel, as you can see in most cases the if you lift up the pivot foot before releasing the ball this will be a travel violation.
(e) In starting a dribble after (1) receiving the ball while standing still, or (2) coming to a legal stop, the ball must be out of the player’s hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
This is one of the most common travel violations, may not be called very often in the NBA.
(f) If a player, with the ball in his possession, raises his pivot foot off the floor, he must pass or shoot before his pivot foot returns to the floor. If he drops the ball while in the air, he may not be the first to touch the ball.
This all has to be in motion you can’t let the pivot foot hang in the air.
(g) A player who falls to the floor while holding the ball, or while coming to a stop, may not gain an advantage by sliding.
Any movement and you are more than likely to get called for a travel. You may dribble from the floor if you are that skilled.
Is The Step Back A Travel
Many people think that the step back is a travel, to those that play basketball it looks normal to those who just spectate it may look awkward to them. The way that I can explain the step-back is a backward jump stop or sideway jump stop. This move is actually legal.
Sometimes it is a travel, the player will take one too many steps, this is on the ref to call it. But when done right the step back is a very difficult move to guard that James Harden lives by.
I watched videos of James Harden doing step-back three’s this offseason and shooting them off one foot and making it during pickup games, this will be interesting to see if he pulls this off in a real game this season.
If your looking for more rules to the game of basketball check out my other articles down below.
Further Readings:
What Is A Carry In Basketball? Explained
What Is A Reach-In Foul In Basketball? Explained
What Is The “KEY” In Basketball?
How Many Steps is a Travel in Basketball?
Like any sport, basketball has a long set of rules to be followed. There are rules on fouls and violations, and to legally continue to play, you have to act in accordance with them. One of the most frequent violations that a basketball player commits is “traveling,” or simply “travel.” What is a travel in basketball? How many steps is a travel in basketball? Let’s find out.
What Does Traveling in Basketball Mean?
In basketball, traveling is a violation a player commits when he has taken too many steps without a live dribble. A player can take two steps after picking up his dribble and could not take a third; otherwise, he will be called for a traveling violation. It sounds simple enough, but there are actually a lot of nuances in this rule.
For example, a traveling violation is also called if a player lifts his pivot foot after receiving the ball. To understand the complexities of this rule, you must know what a pivot foot is. In basketball, the pivot foot is the foot that should remain stationary when pivoting or turning. After catching or receiving the ball, a player always establishes a pivot foot. He may only lift that pivot foot when shooting or passing. Otherwise, lifting the pivot foot is called a travel.
Again, these things are not always black and white and may involve further complications. Players may encounter situations in-game that require constant awareness regarding the pivot and the number of steps they take. For instance, if a player catches the ball with two feet firmly on the ground, either of his feet can be established as a pivot foot. When a player receives the ball in the air, the foot that touches the ground first is automatically his pivot foot.
The pivot foot may only be moved when passing or shooting. However, the ball should be released first before the pivot foot lands on the ground to avoid a travel. When a player is about to dribble, he may also move his pivot foot after the ball is released.
What are the Rules of Traveling in Basketball?
The traveling rules in basketball revolve around the number of steps a player takes and the movement of the pivot foot. When a player picks up his dribble, he may only take a maximum of two steps. If he takes a third, that will result in a traveling violation. A travel will also be called if a player lifts his pivot foot without dribbling, shooting, or passing.
Other situations may also result in a traveling violation. For example, if a player slips up while dribbling, it’s a travel. On the other hand, if a player looking to retrieve a lose ball dives and slides to the ground, he may do so without getting called for a travel.
Therefore, a traveling violation may be called if you do one of these things:
Taking three steps after picking up the dribble
Lifting the pivot feet before the ball is released (when passing, shooting, or dribbling)
Switching pivot foot
Taking a step before dribbling after standing still
Catching your own airball
Jumping up and down with the ball not being released
Taking two steps after a jump stop (a jump stop is already considered one step)
Sliding and rolling with the ball after initially losing control of it
Lifting the pivot feet while using a jab step
How the NBA Calls Traveling Violations
The NBA is not very strict in implementing traveling violations, although their rule book has clear rules. It is rare for the referees to whistle for a travel unless it’s blatant. Here are the NBA rules on traveling, loosely defined:
1. When a player receives the ball while standing still, he may use either foot as a pivot foot. However, he cannot take a step without dribbling first.
2. When a player is in the process of dribbling and comes to a stop, he may only take a maximum of two steps before he may shoot or pass. This is the rule that NBA refs ignore the most, possibly because of the quickness of the players that it’s difficult to call it in the middle of game action.
3. If a player receives the ball while advancing, he must put the ball on the floor before taking a second step. Again, NBA players are generally speedsters that it’s hard to pin them down for this.
How Many Steps is Considered a Travel in Basketball?
The rule of thumb is three, but as repeatedly pointed out in the previous sections, the rules on traveling violations are pretty complex. Even if a player has not taken a step but switched pivot feet or lifted it, it could warrant a traveling call from the referees.
The traveling violation is one of the reasons why footwork is paramount in basketball. There are so many ways that players could commit a travel and most of them may not be even aware of it. That’s because, at times, it’s hard to control your body’s movements when you make split-second decisions.
Is the Stepback a Travel?
The stepback jumper is a move popularized by NBA superstar James Harden. It is very effective in creating space so he can launch a jumper. But the move, especially when pulled off by Harden, begs the question, “Is that legal?”
The answer is, yes, the stepback is a legal move and not a travel. The NBA itself replied to a tweet by Bleacher Report asking if Harden did travel. The league explained: “This is a legal play. Although James puts the ball behind his back, he only takes two steps after the gather of the ball and therefore, it is NOT a travel.”
What the NBA is referring two is Rule 10, Section XIII of the rulebook, which says: “A player who receives the ball while he is progressing or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball. ”
5 Examples of Traveling in Basketball
Here are 5 examples of traveling in basketball, with videos:
1. Russell Westbrook
Westbrook completely lost himself here, taking as much as six steps before even dribbling.
2. LeBron James
You can find so many uncalled traveling violations by LeBron on YouTube, but play #3 on this countdown was actually called by the refs. James did a jab step to the left and then quickly darted to his right. Unfortunately, he took two steps before putting the ball on the floor.
3. Kendrick Perkins
This one was not whistled, but the legendary 9-step travel by Kendrick Perkins is a prime example of lifting the pivot foot. Any way you look at it, it’s a travel.
4. Steph Curry
Curry did the double-stepback here and therefore, took four steps, before releasing the ball for a shot. Needless to say, it’s a travel.
5. Dwight Howard
Sometimes, the refs allow three steps in a breakaway situation like this, but Howard literally took it a step further. It’s unfortunate because it was a pretty play by D12.
Wrapping Things Up: How Many Steps is a Travel in Basketball?
In basketball, traveling is a violation called if a player takes too many steps. A player is allowed up to two legal steps after a gather step in basketball in most situations. If he takes the third step, he is most likely called for a travel.
However, the traveling rules in basketball could get more complicated than that. For example, switching or lifting a pivot foot is a travel. From a triple-threat position, if a player takes a jab step with one foot and then takes a step using the other, that’s usually a travel. Sliding and rolling on the court while holding the basketball is also a traveling violation.
But then again, you can bend the rules in your favor to gain an edge. For example, James Harden’s stepback is often a subject of debate whether it’s a travel or not. It is actually a legal move, taking advantage of the NBA rule book. In essence, the rule says that a player can take two steps after a gather dribble. Harden often stretches this rule in his favor, but his usual stepbacks are legal and not traveling violations based solely on this rule.
So, what do we know about how many steps is a travel in basketball? The rule of thumb is three. After that, you need to remember about your pivot foot. If you change your pivot foot, that’s an obvious travel. You may lift your pivot foot in certain situations, such as passing or shooting, but before you land, you must release the ball. Otherwise, it will result in a travel. Take note of the basics, and you can avoid constant traveling violation calls.
Did you find this post helpful? Then you may also like our other basketball FAQ articles here.
> Examples of Traveling in Basketball
> What is a Steal in Basketball?
what it refers to and what penalties it entails
Basketball is a team game, the essence of which is to throw a basketball into the opponent's ring. Each team consists of five players. The ball can be dribbled, passed, thrown into the ring only with your hands, while observing certain rules of the game. One of the violations of the game is jogging in basketball.
In order to avoid penalties from the referee and not let down your teammates, you should pay close attention to the correct handling of the ball. In this article, you can find out what a basketball run is, how many steps you can take while dribbling the ball, and the established rules for moving a player around the playground.
Support foot
Movements with the ball made by the player are counted from the support foot. Therefore, in order to determine whether a player has jogged or not, the International Basketball Federation has established guidelines for determining the pivot foot. It includes the following points:
When the player has the ball, he decides which foot to use as a pivot. As soon as the basketball player has moved one leg, the second will automatically be considered as the supporting one.
If the player is on one foot at the time of passing the ball, it will be the pivot foot as soon as the other foot touches the floor.
If a basketball player stands on one foot at the moment of possession of the ball, and then jumps out and lands on both, then neither of the legs will be the supporting one.
If a player receives a ball pass in a jump, then touching the court with both feet at the same time, he can independently choose which foot to make the pivot.
When a player lands on one foot and then only lowers the other, the pivot will be the one that first touched the playing court.
If a basketball player touches the court with one foot while jumping, he has the right to jump out of this state on both feet. Then the supporting leg is not defined.
It is allowed to catch the ball while sitting, lying down, reclining, but it is strictly forbidden to roll, stand up, slide on the court with the ball in hand.
Dribbling in basketball
In order to find out what a run in basketball is, you need to familiarize yourself with the rules for moving a basketball around the playing field. They read:
The support foot may only be placed on the playing court after the player has released the ball. Those. Initially, a basketball player must make a pass or throw into the basket, and then touch the playing court, otherwise his actions will be regarded as a run.
The following sequence of actions is considered correct dribbling: a basketball player receives a pass, hits the ball on the floor, and moves his supporting leg. If the second paragraph was omitted, then the judge will record a violation.
After the player has stopped, he may jump or take one step, provided that neither of his legs was the supporting one. Touching the floor is allowed only after the ball has been released from the player's hands.
What is jogging
Basketball jogging is the illegal movement of a basketball player in control of the ball around the playing court. Dribbling should not exceed two steps, then the player must either pass the ball or make a throw into the basket. It is also prohibited to carry the ball across the playing court. While dribbling, a basketball player must “knock” the ball on the floor.
Another nuance that should be taken into account when playing is that at the very beginning of the dribble, the basketball player must first hit the ball on the floor, and then start moving. If this action was not performed, then it will also be regarded as a run in basketball.
Punishment for running
Punishment in basketball is called a foul. It happens:
personal;
technical;
unsportsmanlike;
disqualifying;
mutual, etc.
Running in basketball is not a serious offense, so it does not entail severe punishment. If a player has made a run, then the ball is passed to the players of the opposite team for a throw-in. His place is chosen near the place of the committed violation and is outside the playing area.
Harden takes three steps but doesn't get whistled for a run. Why?
The Houston leader is the best at adapting to the new rules.
Photo: Jose Garcia, wikipedia.org
In the first game of the 1/2 finals of the Western Conference with Utah , James Harden managed everything: 41 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. In the second game, he scored 32+6+11. Such statistics only indicate that the Jazz have no idea how to stop a beard.
Houston Head Coach Mike D'Antoni noted that Utah are not alone in this regard.
“There are 28 more teams that can't answer this question [how to stop Harden]. The answer is no. Sometimes he can play badly because he's human, but there's no plan to stop him."
One of the reasons for Harden's invulnerability is the stepback, the stepping back throw. The NBA has used this move before (a three-minute cut of Jordan's stepbacks), but Harden uses it so often and bounces back so obviously that there has been controversy ever since his move to Houston in 2012.
Running or not?
Harden clearly sets his pivot foot twice on the step back. This is a travel. #RocketsNation pic.twitter.com/0WYi8wATyF — DΛП (@danWorthington) April 16, 2018
In the first quarter-final game against Minnesota, Harden took two steps back to get past Andrew Wiggins . “It was a normal stepback, everything is allowed,” Wiggins himself said. Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeaux didn't report the run either: "It's hard to defend against Harden. Running is defined differently in different matches, so we have to be ready for anything. He is good at selling what he does.
But twitter users were unanimous - it's a run.
pic.twitter.com/YARCxHBLb6 — Eliás Olney (@boywithoutaflag) April 16, 2018
Unbelievable travel pic.twitter.com/4tYR0e4yl0 — Gi11y (@Gi11y_) April 16, 2018 90 .twitter .com/lJ0nry4Fo6 — Treshaun (@Kvng_tre1998) April 16, 2018
A similar episode was in the regular season game against San Antonio. Harden bounced to the left and threw from behind the arc. Under the video of the moment on the NBA page on Twitter, a comment was made by the Golden State head coach0071 Steve Kerr : "It's a shame. I think the league is so happy with the points that they don't want to counteract it."
Why Steve delete this pic.twitter.com/4oAMgr7KaV — James Margs!! (@JamesMargariti) February 2, 2018
Kerr deleted the tweet and blamed it on his new iPhone - he allegedly wanted to send a private message instead of tweeting. D'Antoni joked about this: “There was no run. I wanted to tweet about it, but sent a message.
Accusations of breaking the rules spread like that. that even the former UMMC and Los Angeles Sparks basketball player laughs at Harden Candence Parker : "When James Harden does 'running man' he doesn't have a run, but when I do an up and under, is that a run?"
"James Harden be doing the Running Man, and that's not a travel?" - @Candace_Parker
#KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/ZgozL6am6s - KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) April 25, 2018
"I don't know if James Harden will be the MVP in 2018, but he already left the MVP by runs. Sorry LeBron - you held on for an incredibly long time, ”wrote the journalist Bill Simmons .
I don't know if Harden will win the 2018 MVP, but he's already locked up the 2018 MVP Of Traveling. Sorry, LeBron - you had an unbelievable run. https://t.co/jaXWL5fDY6 — Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) February 26, 2018
But the NBA doesn't think Harden is running. Back in 2009, an amendment unique to basketball was made to the rules of the league. The step during which the player takes the ball in his hands began to be considered zero. That is, after it, you can take two more steps.
Ronnie Nan , 19-year-old referee, explains for BBALBREAKDOWN:
“If you step to the side, back or forward, everything is the same: you take the ball, and then you take the first and second steps. When I chaired the umpires committee, I said things like [Harden's shot against San Antonio] didn't need to be worked out in detail. It's a dance. How do you dance a waltz? Anyone who understands even a little about dancing knows that the waltz is one - two - three. And in our case it is zero - one - two. Harden takes the ball, pushes off his right foot, moves to his left and puts his right foot in for a shot."
#JamesHarden is putting on a show!#Rockets
Tune in: @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/155wTPcoI3 — NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2018
NBA) for Business Insider:
“I would ask everyone to look [at the moment] when the ball is picked up. You will see that the supporting leg does not take the first step. This is step zero. And when after a zero step you make one or two, everything is according to the rules of the NBA.
Harden uses this trick not only in stepback. To the Eurostep - two steps in different directions - James also adds one more step. The NBA refereeing corps Twitter page conducted a poll: did Harden make a run in this Eurostep.
64% of subscribers answered yes. According to the judges, they were wrong. “This is NOT a run. Look closely: Harden takes the ball with his right foot still on the floor. This does not count as a [first] step. Then he steps on the left foot, and then on the right, and this is the first - the second step.
Naturally, this interpretation of the rules has many opponents. “Taking the ball is a vague concept. I still don't understand it,” Stephen Curry told . “We are forgiven two, one and a half steps. I know that the judges do not want to hear this, but it is so, ”says Vince Carter .
“They go six meters without dribbling,” said Knicks star Walt Frazier , who played in the 60s and 70s. “That's what they're allowed to do today. At some points it's so obvious. During broadcasts, I yell “It’s a run! Watch your feet!" Wilt Chamberlain would have scored 100 points if he had been allowed to play like that."
Frazier's claims are very reasonable, but there is no chance that the NBA will tighten the rules. The zero step increases the performance of the players and, as a result, their popularity. This loophole in the rules is already used by almost all the stars of the league. For example, Milwaukee forward Janis Antetokounmpo : everyone is amazed how he walks almost half the court in one run, but few people pay attention to his three steps.
Now the league is only interested in recording the very obvious runs. Officiating Vice President Joe Borgea thinks that in today's hyper-athletic NBA it's hard to see even four steps or three wrong tackles:
“It seems that everything is simple. The player completed possession, gained control of the ball and proceeded to the shot ring. Now try to watch a player who is racing at full speed, and next to him one or two defenders. [The referee] needs to see if the attacking player has been pushed.
You can find the traveling rules in Section XIII—Traveling.
Even when the ball is in full control a lot of players do not put the ball down by the second step more like they have already taken their second step and now dribbled not released the ball.
In this situation, the player may not pivot with either foot and if one or both feet leave the floor the ball must be released before either returns to the floor.
It sounds simple enough, but there are actually a lot of nuances in this rule.
Here are the NBA rules on traveling, loosely defined:
”
Any way you look at it, it’s a travel. 
You may lift your pivot foot in certain situations, such as passing or shooting, but before you land, you must release the ball. Otherwise, it will result in a travel. Take note of the basics, and you can avoid constant traveling violation calls.
In this article, you can find out what a basketball run is, how many steps you can take while dribbling the ball, and the established rules for moving a player around the playground. 
If this action was not performed, then it will also be regarded as a run in basketball. 
In the second game, he scored 32+6+11. Such statistics only indicate that the Jazz have no idea how to stop a beard. 
“It was a normal stepback, everything is allowed,” Wiggins himself said. Minnesota head coach Tom Thibodeaux didn't report the run either: "It's hard to defend against Harden. Running is defined differently in different matches, so we have to be ready for anything. He is good at selling what he does. 
I think the league is so happy with the points that they don't want to counteract it." 
Sorry LeBron - you held on for an incredibly long time, ”wrote the journalist Bill Simmons . 
It's a dance. How do you dance a waltz? Anyone who understands even a little about dancing knows that the waltz is one - two - three. And in our case it is zero - one - two. Harden takes the ball, pushes off his right foot, moves to his left and puts his right foot in for a shot." 
The zero step increases the performance of the players and, as a result, their popularity. This loophole in the rules is already used by almost all the stars of the league. For example, Milwaukee forward Janis Antetokounmpo : everyone is amazed how he walks almost half the court in one run, but few people pay attention to his three steps. 
