
In basketball, a walk, also known as traveling or travelling, is a violation of the rules where a player takes more steps than allowed while holding the ball without dribbling. The number of allowed steps varies depending on the league, with the NBA and FIBA allowing two steps, and the NCAA and NFHS having stricter rules that do not permit any steps without a dribble. Traveling can also occur if the player's pivot foot changes or moves, or if they lift and return their pivot foot to the floor. The interpretation and enforcement of traveling rules have evolved over time, and dribbling was not originally a part of the game.
Characteristics and Values of a Walk in Basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of steps allowed | In the NBA and FIBA, more than two steps without dribbling is not allowed. NCAA and NFHS have stricter rules, not permitting even a two-step motion without a dribble. |
| Pivot foot | If a player shifts or moves their established pivot foot, it is deemed a traveling violation. |
| Slip foot | If a player has to take a small step to regain balance, depending on how far the 'slip' is, it will be deemed a travel violation. |
| Dribbling | Traveling rules are only applied when a player does not have an active dribble. With an active dribble, a player can move freely. |
| Gather step | FIBA incorporated the "gather step" into its traveling rules in 2018, bringing it closer to the NBA's interpretation. |
| Enforcement | Enforcement of the rule varies, with traveling violations sometimes being overlooked in the NBA. |
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What You'll Learn

Walking is a term used for travelling in basketball
In basketball, walking is a term used for travelling, which is a violation of the rules. Travelling occurs when a player takes more steps than are allowed without dribbling the ball. The number of permitted steps varies depending on the league. For example, the NBA and FIBA allow two steps, whereas the NCAA and NFHS have stricter rules, not permitting any steps without a dribble.
The pivot foot is an important concept in the rules regarding travelling. A pivot is the movement in which a player holding the ball on the court takes steps with the same foot, while the other foot, the pivot foot, remains in contact with the floor. Once a pivot foot is established, if the player raises it and puts it back down while still holding the ball, it is considered travelling. However, the non-pivot foot can be lifted and returned to the floor multiple times without violating the rules.
There are other actions that can result in a travelling violation. This includes shuffling the feet before starting a dribble, jumping and returning to the floor while holding the ball without releasing it, and falling to the floor while holding the ball. In the NCAA and NFHS, if a player catches the ball while falling to the floor, it is also considered travelling.
The interpretation and enforcement of travelling rules have evolved over time, with different leagues establishing their own specific guidelines. The introduction of dribbling to the game has also influenced the development of these rules. While the rules outline the permitted movements, the fast and fluid nature of the sport can make it challenging for officials to accurately call travelling violations in real-time.
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Travelling is taking more than two steps without dribbling
Travelling or walking is a violation of the rules of basketball. It occurs when a player takes more steps than allowed by the rules while holding the ball without dribbling. In the NBA and FIBA, a player is allowed to take up to two steps without the ball being dribbled, after which a travelling violation is called. The NCAA and NFHS have stricter rules, not permitting any steps without a dribble.
The interpretation and enforcement of travelling rules have evolved over the years, with early basketball lacking concrete rules governing player movement. Referees had to rely on their judgment to determine a travelling violation. With the introduction of dribbling, the rules became more defined, but the interpretation of what constitutes a travelling violation has continued to evolve as the game has become faster and more fluid.
The concept of a "gather step" or "zero step" has been introduced to smooth out officiating violations. This occurs when a player puts the ball in an arrested state, such as by catching it or picking up their dribble. During this gather step, players are allowed to move their pivot foot without it being considered travelling. However, once a pivot foot is established, if the player raises that foot off the ground and puts it back down while still holding the ball, it is considered travelling.
The travelling rule also applies to other actions such as lifting the pivot foot, taking multiple steps, shuffling the feet, or jumping and returning to the floor while holding the ball. In the NCAA and NFHS, falling to the floor while holding the ball is also considered travelling. Additionally, if a player shifts or moves their established pivot foot, it is deemed a travelling violation.
It's important to note that the enforcement of travelling rules may vary in different leagues and competitions. Observers have noted that travelling violations are sometimes overlooked in the NBA, and the interpretation of the rules can be influenced by the speed and fluidity of the players' movements.
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Pivot foot rules: the pivot foot cannot be lifted and returned to the floor
In basketball, travelling is a violation of the rules in which a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball without dribbling. A pivot is a legal movement in which a player who is holding a live ball on the playing court steps once or more than once in any direction with the same foot, while the other foot, called the pivot foot, is kept at its point of contact with the floor.
The pivot foot rules are as follows: the pivot foot cannot be lifted and returned to the floor. Once a pivot foot is established, if you raise your pivot foot off the ground, the exact moment it touches the floor again and you still have the basketball in your possession, it is a travelling violation. If a player catches the ball with both feet on the playing court, they may pivot, using either foot. However, if both feet land simultaneously and a pivot foot has already been established, that is considered travelling.
Lifting the pivot foot alone does not constitute travelling; a player may pass, shoot, or request a timeout in that position. It is only considered travelling once the foot is returned to the floor, or if a dribble is started. To pass or shoot for a field goal, the player may jump off a pivot foot, but neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released from their hands.
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The gather step was added in 2018 for clarity and consistency
In basketball, traveling is a violation of the rules in which a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball without dribbling. The number of steps allowed varies depending on the league and its rules. For example, the NBA and FIBA define traveling as taking more than two steps without dribbling, while the NCAA and NFHS have stricter interpretations, not permitting any steps without a dribble.
The gather step, also known as the zero step, was added by FIBA in 2018 to provide clarity and consistency to its traveling rules. This change brought FIBA's interpretation more in line with that of the NBA. The gather step allows players to take an extra step after they have stopped dribbling, as it is not considered the first step in the sequence. This means that players can take what seems like three strides without it being considered a travel, as only two steps have technically been taken post-gathering.
The addition of the gather step has been controversial, with some arguing that it should still be counted as a travel and that no free steps should be allowed. However, others defend the rule, stating that it adds creativity and explosiveness to the offense, allowing players to get closer to the basket or create separation for jump shots.
It's important to note that while the NBA and FIBA have fully adopted the gather step rule, it is not universally accepted. In high school and college basketball, for instance, the gather step is typically considered a travel, and any movement after stopping dribbling is counted as a step. The interpretation and enforcement of traveling rules have evolved over time, reflecting the changing nature of the game and the establishment of rules by different leagues.
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Enforcement of the rule varies in different leagues
In basketball, a walk, also known as travelling, is a violation of the rules where a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball without dribbling. The enforcement of this rule varies in different leagues.
The NBA and FIBA define travelling as taking more than two steps without dribbling, while the NCAA and NFHS have stricter interpretations, not permitting any steps without a dribble. The NCAA and NFHS rules also include falling to the floor while holding the ball as a form of travelling, even if the player caught the ball while airborne. FIBA incorporated the "gather step" in 2018, bringing its interpretation closer to that of the NBA.
The pivot foot is another important aspect of the travelling rule. A pivot is the legal movement where a player holding the ball on the court takes steps with the same foot while keeping the other foot, the pivot foot, in contact with the floor. If the pivot foot is lifted and returned to the floor, dragged along the floor, or changed, it is considered travelling. However, the interpretation of this rule can vary, and some leagues may enforce it more rigorously than others.
Some observers note that the enforcement of the travelling rule in the NBA is not always strict, and violations are sometimes overlooked. The speed and fluidity of athletes can make it challenging for officials to perceive violations in real-time, leading to inconsistencies in enforcement.
The interpretation and enforcement of the travelling rule have evolved over time, reflecting the changes in the game and the establishment of different league rules. Early basketball lacked concrete rules for player movement, leaving the determination of travelling violations to the referee's judgment. The introduction of dribbling and the development of new moves have also influenced the evolution of the travelling rule.
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Frequently asked questions
A walk, also known as traveling, is a violation of the rules of basketball in which a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball without dribbling.
In the NBA and FIBA, a walk is called when a player takes more than two steps without dribbling. The NCAA and NFHS have stricter rules, not permitting any steps without a dribble. A walk can also be called if the player drags their pivot foot, or lifts and returns it to the floor.
A pivot foot is the foot that a player keeps in contact with the floor while holding a live ball on the playing court. The player can then step with the other foot, or non-pivot foot, in any direction as many times as they like without it being a violation.











































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