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How many steps are you allowed in basketball
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.
Rules of Basketball
How the rules have changed in your favorite game
How the rules have changed in your favorite game
WE ALL LOVE TO PLAY BASKETBALL, BUT DO YOU KNOW THE RULES FOR EXACT?
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…
!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:
Basketball was invented by James Naismith in 1891. Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls…
!!! Read about the evolution of balls in the article:
The history of basketballs
The history of basketballs
What balls are played now and how it happened
Beginning
The rules have also changed a lot during this time. Initially, there were only 13:9 in basketball0003
The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
The ball may be hit with one or both hands in any direction, but never with the fist.
The player may not run with the ball. The player must throw the ball from the point at which he caught it, except for a player running at high speed.
The ball must be held with the hands. You can not use the forearms and body to hold the ball.
In any case, hitting, grabbing, holding and pushing the opponent is not allowed. The first violation of this rule by any player shall be called a foul; the second foul disqualifies him until the next ball is scored, and if there was an obvious intention to injure the player, then a disqualification for the entire game. It is not allowed to replace a disqualified player.
Punching the ball is a violation of rules 2 and 4, the penalty is described in rule 5.
commit no foul).
A point is scored if a ball thrown or bouncing off the floor hits the basket and stays there. Defending players are not allowed to touch the ball or basket while shooting. If the ball touches the edge and the opponents move the basket, then a point is scored.
If the ball goes out of bounds, it must be dropped into the field by the first player to touch it. In the event of a dispute, the referee must throw the ball into the field. The thrower is allowed to hold the ball for five seconds. If he holds it longer, then the ball is given to the opponent. If either side tries to play for time, the referee must give them a foul.
The referee must monitor the actions of the players and fouls, and notify the referee of three consecutive fouls. He shall have the power to disqualify players under rule 5.
The referee must watch the ball and determine when the ball is in play (inbounds) and when it goes out of bounds (out of bounds), which side should be in possession of the ball, and any other actions that the referee would normally take .
The game consists of two halves of 15 minutes each with a break of 5 minutes between them.
The side with the most goals during this time period is the winner.
The most important rule change in the history of basketball is the introduction of dribbling. In the original version of the game, this was prohibited by paragraph 3 of the rules.
One of the first changes in the game and the rules was the replacement of the basket with a ring with a net. It seemed to be very inconvenient to climb after the ball every time after a hit. Around the same time, free throws, dribbling appeared, and the composition of the teams was fixed for 5 players on the court at the same time. Before that, in some matches, up to 50 people could be on the court at the same time. All this happened back in 1896-1897.
The emergence of FIBA (International Basketball Federation)
Basketball at the beginning of the 20th century became more popular and the rules in each country could be different. This was one of the reasons why FIBA appeared in 1932 year. At the first FIBA Congress, the teams were approved (5 people and 2 substitutes), and it was decided that after each goal there would be a throw-in in the center. This rule was removed after 4 years to reduce the advantage of tall players.
Over the next few years, the main changes were related to the number of personal fouls, the number of players on the bench and the introduction of a time limit for getting the ball into the opponent's half of the court.
More changes came in 1952 after the Olympic Games. The game became very boring, because the teams held the ball, having received a minimal lead in the score. Everyone understood this and searched for solutions for several years in order to save the life of basketball. At 1954 Danny Biason proposed to the NBA to limit the time for the shot to 24 seconds. At the 1956 Olympics, there was a similar rule: it was necessary to make a throw in 30 seconds. At the same time, to add equality between defense and attack, another rule familiar to us appeared: you need to start dribbling the ball before the supporting leg comes off.
Then the game became similar to the modern one from a technical point of view: dribbling, shots, a three-second zone appeared. In 1979, the NBA added a three-point line, and in 19In 1984, FIBA also added an arc.
!!! An article about the evolution of the three-point shot and interesting facts:
10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.
10 interesting facts about the three-point shot.
Three-pointer evolution and insane records.
Changes in the rules and basketball since 1956 have included the number of free kicks, the situations in which these free kicks are given, and individual and team penalties. Some rules were introduced, and a few years later they were canceled. For example, the "3 for 2" rule: if a player was fouled in the shooting phase, then if one of the first two shots was missed, he could make another free throw. This rule was later removed.
Since the 1990s there have been constant changes: the emergence of alley-oops, changes in the timing and rewriting of the rules of running, which continue to this day.
From the most interesting: if the team has 0.3 seconds or less to throw the ball from behind, then it must be a one-touch throw. It takes at least 0.4 seconds to perform a full throw.
Derrick Fisher made similar throws:
And here is a small selection of videos of how they throw in 0.2 seconds:
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- Professional player of the INANOMO 3x3 team; - Champion of Russia 3x3 2019, 2021; - Winner and medalist of the MOFB championship; - 2017 MLBL Summer League MVP; - Multiple participant of Moscow Open; - Champion of Moscow 3x3 2017; - MVP GrunisCup 2017.
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. 
Then everything was different: playgrounds, baskets, balls… 
It is not allowed to replace a disqualified player. 
Before that, in some matches, up to 50 people could be on the court at the same time. All this happened back in 1896-1897. 
Everyone understood this and searched for solutions for several years in order to save the life of basketball. At 1954 Danny Biason proposed to the NBA to limit the time for the shot to 24 seconds. At the 1956 Olympics, there was a similar rule: it was necessary to make a throw in 30 seconds. At the same time, to add equality between defense and attack, another rule familiar to us appeared: you need to start dribbling the ball before the supporting leg comes off. 
Some rules were introduced, and a few years later they were canceled. For example, the "3 for 2" rule: if a player was fouled in the shooting phase, then if one of the first two shots was missed, he could make another free throw. This rule was later removed. 
