Basketball Basics: 4 Examples of Traveling in Basketball

Traveling is a penalty in the sport of basketball and occurs when an offensive player in possession of the basketball takes an extra step or makes an otherwise illegal movement with their established pivot foot. The penalty results in a turnover and the opposing basketball team begins its possession by passing in the ball from the sideline.

In the sport of basketball, traveling is a penalty that occurs when a player takes an illegal step while holding the basketball. Here are a handful of situations in which traveling rules might apply.

1. 1. Air ball scenarios: Although it is a rare occurrence for a National Basketball Association player to miss the basket entirely, this scenario—called an “air ball”—does still happen at the professional level. The NBA rule book states that a player who takes a shot may not also be the first to touch the ball if it fails to make contact with the hoop, backboard, or another player. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), which governs high school basketball gameplay, has no explicit rule for air balls, leaving the final decision to the refs.
2. 2. Illegal movement of the pivot foot: A ball handler must remain in a stationary position once they pick up their dribble. They can no longer move in horizontal space, but they may choose to pivot on an established pivot foot. For example, if the player lifts their left foot, the right foot is now the established pivot foot and cannot move from that position. If the pivot foot moves or drags, a player will receive a traveling call—in other words, a penalty.
3. 3. Returning to the ground without shooting or passing: According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rule book, if a player jumps with possession of the ball, the ball must leave their hands before the player returns to the ground. Failure to rid themselves of the ball before landing will result in an “up and down” traveling violation.
4. 4. Rolling or standing up with the ball: This example is common in lower-level basketball leagues, in which loose ball scenarios are more frequent. When neither team has possession of the ball, it is a live ball. If a player dives for the live ball and gains possession on the floor, they cannot roll or attempt to stand up without first passing the ball to a teammate or calling a timeout.

The Euro step, or Euro-step, is an offensive move that does not exceed the allotted two steps that a ball handler may take in performing a layup or dunk; therefore, it does not constitute traveling. The ball handler takes the first step in an angle toward the basket while picking up their dribble or landing in a “jump stop” position. The player counters a second step in an opposite direction to create space from the defender.

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginóbili made the Euro step famous in the 1990s, and every level of organized basketball soon adopted it. NBA players LeBron James and James Harden have also employed the Euro step often throughout their high-scoring careers.

The introduction of the gathering step, or gather step, has blurred the definition of traveling and ball control at professional levels. The term refers to additional steps permitted for the purpose of gaining control of the ball or progress toward an active shot, dribble, or pass. Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry utilizes this rule to create space from his defender in shooting what are known as step-back threes (a step backward followed by a three-point shot on the basket).

Want to become a better athlete? The MasterClass Annual Membership provides exclusive video lessons from the world’s best athletes, including Stephen Curry, Tony Hawk, Serena Williams, Wayne Gretzky, Misty Copeland, and more.