
In basketball, a player taking more steps than allowed without dribbling results in a turnover and possession of the ball for the other team. In the NBA, a player is allowed to take two steps without the ball being dribbled. The NCAA and NFHS, on the other hand, do not allow two steps. In 2009, the NBA introduced a rule change, allowing players to take two steps before stopping, passing, or shooting. This was the first time any league in the world had explicitly allowed two steps.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of rule change | 2009 |
| Previous number of steps allowed | 1 |
| New number of steps allowed | 2 |
| Governing body | NBA |
| Previous rule | "Players could take one step" |
| New rule | "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." |
| Previous interpretation of the rule | Referees had long been instructed to allow two steps |
| Other techniques | The "hop" technique |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1-2 step is the traditional and most widely used footwork for shooting
- The hop is an alternative to the 1-2 step, used by some players at higher levels
- The gather step refers to an extra third step after picking up the dribble
- In college (NCAA) rules, there is no longer possession or team control once the ball is in flight for a shot attempt
- The Euro step is a loose definition of a horizontal jab with one foot before pushing off in the opposite direction

The 1-2 step is the traditional and most widely used footwork for shooting
In 2009, the NBA officially changed its rules to allow players to take two steps before having to stop, pass, or shoot. Previously, players were only allowed to take one step. This rule change was made to make things easier for scorers and to put up more points. Before this rule change, referees had already been allowing players to take two steps, but it was not officially written down anywhere.
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The hop is an alternative to the 1-2 step, used by some players at higher levels
In 2009, the NBA introduced a rule change allowing players to take two steps before having to stop, pass, or shoot. Previously, players were only allowed to take one step. This rule change sparked some confusion among players, as they were unsure if they were allowed to take two steps or not.
The hop is an alternative to the traditional 1-2 step technique used in basketball. The 1-2 step is the most common footwork for shooting, but some players at higher levels, such as Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and JJ Redick, use the hop to set up their feet for their shot. The hop involves jumping just 2 to 3 inches off the ground after the pass is thrown and the ball is in the air. While in the air, the player catches the ball and aligns their hips and feet for the shot, landing on the balls of their feet and quickly springing back up for the jump shot. The hop can be used in combination with the 1-2 step or on its own, depending on the player's preference and the game situation.
One advantage of the hop is that it does not establish a pivot foot, allowing the player to attack the defense with either foot. This gives the player more options and can make their shot quicker. Additionally, the hop can help players push evenly with their legs, creating positive energy and keeping the shot simple and repeatable.
However, the hop may not always be the most efficient footwork for all game situations. For example, when a player is curling off a wide pin-down, a forward pivot on the inside foot is more efficient as it allows the player to continue their momentum and drive to the basket. Coaches should focus on giving players multiple tools and allowing them to find the techniques that work best for them. Ultimately, the goal of shooting is to get the ball in the basket, and footwork is secondary to making the shot.
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The gather step refers to an extra third step after picking up the dribble
The gather step in basketball refers to an extra third step after a player has picked up their dribble. This rule has been a source of confusion and debate among basketball fans, players, and coaches. The National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have embraced the gather step, but it is not allowed in high school and college basketball.
The gather step, also known as the "zero step", gives players an extra step to work with after they have finished their dribble. This extra step can be powerful, allowing players to cover more ground quickly and create space, making it challenging for the opposing team to defend. However, it has sparked complaints as it can often look like travelling, leading to debates about whether it takes away from the fundamentals of the game.
The interpretation of travelling rules differs between leagues. In the NBA and FIBA, a player is allowed to take two steps without dribbling before a travelling violation is called. The gather step provides an additional step after the player has picked up their dribble, giving them more time and flexibility to shoot, pass, or pivot. This rule change has allowed players to make impressive plays that sometimes push the boundaries of the rules.
On the other hand, the NCAA and high school basketball adhere to a stricter interpretation of the travelling rule. In college basketball, the first step after a player stops dribbling is considered their first step, and they are only allowed one more step. This discrepancy in rules between different levels of basketball can be challenging for young players, who need to learn the specific rules and footwork techniques applicable to their league.
The gather step has sparked discussions about the fairness of the game and the difficulty of officiating. Some argue that the gather step makes it challenging for referees, who need to closely watch both the hands and feet of players to determine if a violation has occurred. The interpretation of when a player picks up their dribble and starts counting steps can be complex and subjective.
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In college (NCAA) rules, there is no longer possession or team control once the ball is in flight for a shot attempt
In basketball, travelling is a rules violation that occurs when a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball. In the NBA and FIBA, a player is allowed to take two steps without the ball being dribbled, but the NCAA and NFHS do not allow two steps.
In college basketball, the rules are different from the NBA and FIBA. In NCAA rules, there is no longer possession or team control once the ball is in flight for a shot attempt. The referee decides whether or not a legitimate field goal attempt was made. The NFHS rules do not explicitly define this action as either a travelling violation or a legal play, leaving the decision to the discretion of the judges.
The NCAA has released an interpretation/clarification for possession and control of the ball in water polo. Possession of the ball refers to physically controlling or holding the ball, or the referee awarding possession to a team. Possession does not include when the ball is in the air on a pass or shot, or when it rebounds from a shot. Control of the ball means that a player is holding the ball or that it is within reach, and they are in the best position to determine what happens next.
In NCAA football, possession refers to custody of a live or dead ball. Player possession means the player has the ball in their grasp while contacting the ground inbounds. Team possession refers to when players are eligible to catch or recover the ball.
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The Euro step is a loose definition of a horizontal jab with one foot before pushing off in the opposite direction
In 2009, the NBA changed its rules to allow players to take two steps after receiving or dribbling the ball, before stopping, passing, or shooting. Prior to this, the rules only allowed for one step, and the change was believed to be the first time any league in the world had explicitly allowed two steps.
The Euro step is a basketball move where an offensive player picks up their dribble, takes a step in one direction, and then quickly takes a second step in another direction. It is a loose definition of a horizontal jab with one foot before pushing off in the opposite direction. The move is designed to allow the player with the ball to evade a defender and attack the basket.
A jab step is a move in which the ball handler fakes in one direction as if to drive, only to move in the opposite direction. The purpose of a jab step is to trick the defender into thinking that the ball handler will go past them, creating space. The ball handler will then either drive the ball or pull up for a shot.
The Euro step is a type of jab step, but with a specific focus on the lateral movement. By taking a step in one direction and then quickly changing direction, the player performing the Euro step can create space and avoid contact with a defender. This move can be particularly effective when a shorter guard takes on a taller forward or center.
While the term "Euro step" was first used in the media in 2007, the move has a long history in European basketball. Lithuanian player Šarūnas Marčiulionis introduced the two-step maneuver to the NBA in 1989 when he played for the Golden State Warriors, and it was nicknamed the "Euro step" as a tribute to European players' exceptional fundamentals and crafty footwork.
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Frequently asked questions
The 2009-2010 NBA season.
Previously, players were only allowed to take one step before they had to stop, pass or shoot.
The new rule states that "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."
No, the two-step rule is specific to the NBA. Other leagues have different rules regarding the number of steps allowed before a shot.
Travelling is a violation of the rules of basketball where a player takes more than a predefined number of steps while holding the ball. In the NBA, a player is allowed two steps without dribbling before a travelling violation is called.































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