Kristian Ferrell
Travelling in basketball is a common mistake, but it can be avoided. According to the rules, a player who gathers the ball while dribbling may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing, or shooting the ball. To avoid a travel call, players must establish their pivot foot immediately upon receiving the ball and start dribbling before taking any steps forward. This can be done by landing on one foot or both feet simultaneously, avoiding dragging or lifting the pivot before dribbling or passing. Practicing pivot drills can help improve muscle memory and overall gameplay. Additionally, when catching the ball while moving, try landing on one foot first, which automatically establishes it as the pivot foot.
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What You'll Learn
Establish your pivot foot
The pivot foot is a crucial concept to understand to avoid travelling in basketball. It is the foot that remains in contact with the floor while a player controls the ball while stopped. The player can spin or change position, but as long as the pivot foot stays on the floor over its original position, they can do anything without travelling. Once the pivot foot is lifted, a travel violation can be called.
To establish your pivot foot, you must first be in control of the ball. The pivot foot is the first foot to touch the floor after catching the ball. If both feet touch the floor at the same time, either can be the pivot foot. If you catch the ball with both feet on the floor, you can pivot with either foot. If you catch the ball while airborne, the first foot to touch the floor when you land is the pivot foot.
It is important to note that the optimal pivot foot changes depending on the situation, so it is best to practice pivoting on both feet. Right-handed players will naturally gravitate towards using their left foot as the pivot foot, and vice versa for left-handed players.
Once the pivot foot is established, there are a few legal ways to free it without travelling. You can jump before passing the ball, but you must release it before either foot touches the ground again. You can also shoot, pass, or dribble after lifting your pivot foot, as long as you do not travel in the process.
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Avoid dragging or lifting your pivot foot
Travelling is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player takes too many steps without dribbling the ball. To avoid travelling, it is crucial to establish your pivot foot correctly.
Establishing your pivot foot is essential in avoiding travelling violations and mastering proper basketball movements. When catching the ball while moving, try landing on one foot first, which automatically establishes it as your pivot foot. Remember to not drag or lift your pivot foot before dribbling or passing. This is because, according to FIBA rules, picking up your pivot foot before starting a dribble is considered travelling.
To avoid dragging or lifting your pivot foot, you can start by taking a step with your dominant side and then performing a hard dribble without lifting your pivot foot. Repeat this action, working your way up to game speed, and then switch sides. This will help break the muscle memory of lifting your pivot foot. Another short-term alternative is to start a live dribble after catching the ball, but this makes you more predictable and easier to defend.
Additionally, you can develop a hop by jumping to catch a pass in the air and landing with both feet squared up and ready. This way, you don't have a pivot foot established, and you can avoid the risk of travelling by lifting or dragging your pivot foot.
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Avoid jabbing
Travelling is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player holding the ball moves one or both of their feet illegally. This violation is one of the most commonly called in basketball games. It is also one of the most confusing rules in basketball, with many debates about whether a specific move is or is not a travel.
To avoid travelling, players must establish their pivot foot correctly. This can be done by landing on one foot or both feet simultaneously, avoiding dragging or lifting the pivot before dribbling or passing. Practising pivot drills can help improve muscle memory and overall gameplay.
Jabbing is a common cause of travelling violations. To avoid this, players can try dribbling the ball from their left hand to their right hand while their right foot is jabbing. This frees up their pivot foot immediately. Another way to avoid jabbing is to get low. Coach Dave from Evolution Basketball suggests that players get uncomfortably low in a squat with a ball. Once they are low, they can extend their pivot foot further than they are used to.
Additionally, players should be mindful of their steps when moving with the ball. They must not take more than two steps with the basketball in their hands. If a player is in possession of the ball on the floor and they roll over with it, this will be deemed a travelling violation.
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Understand the rules of carrying
Travelling and carrying are two different violations in basketball, although they are often confused with each other. Travelling refers to the number of steps a player can take without dribbling, whereas carrying focuses on what a player is allowed to do with the ball in their hands.
Understanding the Rules of Carrying
Carrying, also known as palming, is an illegal dribbling violation in basketball. It occurs when a player dribbling the ball lets their hand slide underneath it, briefly pausing the dribble before resuming. This gives the player an unfair advantage by allowing them to easily change directions and become less predictable, which isn't fair for the defenders guarding them. Carrying also disrupts the flow of the game by introducing an unnatural pause, making it harder for the defence to react.
To avoid carrying, players should ensure their hand stays on top or on the side of the basketball while dribbling. Although a player's hand is allowed to go under the ball momentarily, they must not follow this action by carrying the ball from one point to another or bringing it to a pause.
Referees look out for tells such as whether the hand momentarily went under the ball or if the player's arm made an unnatural movement. However, the fast pace of the game and different angles can sometimes make it challenging to spot carrying violations.
If a player is called for carrying, it results in a turnover, and possession of the ball is awarded to the opposing team.
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Practice good footwork
Good footwork is essential to avoiding travel violations and improving your balance, agility, and shooting accuracy. Here are some tips to practice good footwork and avoid travelling on a drive in basketball:
First, establish your pivot foot correctly. When receiving the ball, land on one foot first, which automatically establishes it as your pivot foot. Remember not to drag or lift it before dribbling or passing. You can also land with both feet simultaneously, but the key is to avoid lifting your pivot foot before you dribble. This is a common mistake, as players often lift their pivot foot off the floor before dribbling, which is a travel violation.
For right-handed players, the left foot should be the pivot foot, and vice versa for left-handed players. When in the pivot position, get low and bend your knees and waist to maintain balance. Keep your head up to survey the court and hold the ball strongly on your chin, hip, or sweep it low across the ground.
Practicing pivot drills will help improve your muscle memory and overall gameplay. One drill is to start with a step on your dominant side, followed by a hard dribble without lifting your pivot foot. Repeat this, gradually increasing speed, and then switch sides. Another drill is the four-step run, where you take small, stutter steps on a series of boxes, improving your speed and footwork.
Good footwork will also help you create space between you and your defenders. For example, faking a drive to one side and then pivoting back in another direction will force your opponents to change direction, creating space for you to move towards an open shot opportunity.
In addition to pivot drills, box jumps and drop step drills can help train your footwork and improve your overall game. Remember, footwork is an integral aspect of basketball, and mastering it will help elevate your game and make you a more effective player.
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Frequently asked questions
Travelling in basketball is a violation where a player moves one or both feet beyond the allowable range of motion. This can occur when a player takes more steps than allowed without dribbling the ball.
To avoid travelling before your first dribble, it is important to immediately sit and get low. You should also establish your pivot foot by landing on one foot or both feet simultaneously, without dragging or lifting the pivot before dribbling or passing.
When receiving the ball, you must either pass or shoot before taking any steps. You should also establish your pivot foot immediately and start dribbling before taking any steps forward.
Carrying the ball is when the ball is palmed or grabbed and comes to a stop. This is a separate violation from travelling, but it can be difficult to distinguish between the two. By rule, it is impossible to travel until the dribble has ended.
