Traveling or taking steps more than allowed is a violation of basketball rules. It occurs when a player moves his/her feet illegally while carrying the ball without dribbling. Different leagues have different rules on the number of steps a player can take before the travel is called. So, how many steps can you take in high school basketball?
If you are planning to play basketball at a high school level and want to know how many steps you can take in a high school basketball game, then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s discuss it in detail.
The Allowed Number of Steps that You Can Take!
After discontinuing, you’re allowed to take a “step and a half” in high school basketball before a “travel” is called. In other words, after picking up a dribble, you are allowed to take 2 steps but you must pass or shoot the ball off the second step. So, you can’t take 2 steps and then stop.
If you have lifted your pivot foot, you must shoot or pass the basketball before replacing your pivot foot on the floor. It’s important to note that “3 steps” is considered a “travel” at every basketball level.
What is a Pivot Foot?
It’s important to understand the concept of pivot foot when it comes to traveling in a basketball game. It’s the concept of keeping one of your feet (can be right or left) in contact with the floor. As long as your pivot foot stays in the same spot, you can spin on it, but it must not move or slide across the floor.
This rule is only applicable while holding the ball and you’re not jumping, dribbling, or trying to pass or shoot the ball. In order to determine a travel call, it’s critical to establish the pivot foot. Typically, it’s established when you’re not jumping or dribbling and holding the ball in a stationary fashion.
Key Points that Determine the Pivot Foot!
If you move one of your feet then the other one will become the pivot foot. Additionally, your first foot that makes contact with the floor will be considered the pivot, if you land on one foot. So, we can establish the following points that determine the pivot foot.
- If one of your feet is inside the court, it’ll be considered the pivot foot.
- If both of your feet are inside the court, you’ll have the option to choose the pivot foot. If you move one foot then the other one will be considered the pivot.
- If you’re jumping then the foot that touches the floor first will be considered pivot.
- If both of your feet touch the floor at the same time, then you’ll have the option to decide your pivot foot.
Can You Pivot After Taking 2 Steps?
If you take the hop step as the second one, then you can’t pivot after that. You don’t need to move up, but lifting up any of your feet, and it’ll be considered a “travel” if it doesn’t happen at the same time.
However, you can establish your pivot foot legally, if you take the hop step as soon as you pick up the dribble. It’s important to Keep in mind that at any basketball level you’re not allowed to travel while dribbling.
What is Traveling in a Basketball Game?
Traveling is a simple based concept in a basketball game but it certainly needs an explanation. Traveling in basketball is known as a violation of rules. It takes place when you move your feet (one or both) illegally while holding the ball. Sometimes, people also call traveling “steps”, “taking steps”, “walking”, and sometimes even “up and down”.
A “travel” is called if you lift or move your pivot foot and place it again on the floor before passing or shooting the ball. For example, if you receive the ball and attempt to release it by jumping with both feet but fail to do so and return to the floor, then the travel will be called.
Keep in mind that it’s not the only situation when the travel can be called, there are several other situations as well. The rules also vary from level to level like professional leagues, college, high school, and youth basketball games.
Key Points that Determine the Travel in Basketball
Here are some common key points for traveling that you need to remember while playing basketball at the high school level.
- A “travel” is called when to move your pivot foot illegally.
- You can’t perform any action that’s considered a “travel” while dribbling.
- Only the player holding the ball can travel.
How to Avoid Traveling?
As mentioned, there are several types of movement in basketball that are considered “travel”. You can avoid doing the following to keep yourself from traveling.
- Rolling on the floor.
- Falling on the floor without successfully maintaining your pivot foot.
- Sliding or dragging any of your feet if you don’t have a pivot foot.
- Dribbling the ball after lifting or moving your pivot foot.
- Shooting or passing the ball after lifting and returning the pivot foot to the floor.
- Sliding or dragging the pivot foot.
- Passing or shooting the ball after Jumping and returning one or both of your feet to the floor.
Examples of Traveling
We’ve compiled a list of examples in order to make you understand the concept of traveling better. Read each example carefully to improve your performance.
Up and Down
Up and down occurs when you’re holding a ball and leave the floor by jumping to shoot or pass but fail to do so and return to the ground.
Pivot Slide
If you accidentally or otherwise slide your pivot foot across the floor while stretching or spinning, the pivot slide occurs.
Rebound Shuffle
If you get a rebound and fall down or shuffle your feet then it’ll be called rebound shuffle.
Three-Point Steps
If you receive the basketball right in front of the three-point line and shoot the ball without dribbling by stepping back the line. Lifting your pivot foot will be considered a traveling violation.
Early Step
An early step is known as one of the most common violations in basketball and interestingly, the player rarely believes that he’s guilty. Usually, it happens when you, from a static position, aim to drive to the basket.
Is Euro Step Illegal?
In general, Euro Step has become prevalent in basketball games at all levels and sometimes people mistake it for traveling as well. That’s why it’s important to discuss it as well.
What is the Euro Step?
Euro step is also known as long lateral, or two-step and it’s a common move in basketball. It happens when you take a step in one direction after picking up your dribble and then take another step in some other direction. It’s usually done to avoid the defensive player in order to attack the basket.
It’s important to note that it’s not considered to be a violation because the second move is actually a continuation of the first one. The Euro step is now used in high school, college, and NBA basketball games.
When is the Euro Step is Illegal?
If you release the ball then the Euro step will be considered legal because you’ve stayed within the prescribed movement limits. On the other hand, it’ll be considered illegal in the following scenarios.
- If your palm is facing upwards more than a handshake position.
- The basketball comes to rest in your hands
- If you continue dribbling after the above-mentioned actions.
As you become more skilled and quicker in basketball, your coach will test your knowledge regarding the travel rules and recognition of dribble. Understanding the limitations and rules regarding the pivot foot is the very first step to learn the regulations about dribbling.
Is it Legal to Take 2 Steps After Catching the Ball?
After catching the ball to come to a stop, pass, or shoot, on the completion of the dribble or while progressing, you can only take 2 steps. After catching the ball and before taking your second step, you’ll need to pass in order to start your dribble
Taking one more step after gathering the ball will be a travel violation and it’s common in all basketball games.
Final Words
Understand the number of steps that you can take, and the concept of traveling is critical if you want to play basketball in your high school. The rules of regulations regarding this concept can slightly vary from game to game. However, they’re used in college, high school, and NBA basketball games with little variations.
In case of traveling violation, the turnover is called irrespective of the rules. It means that the ball will be awarded to the opposing team. We hope this guide will help you understand how to avoid such violations to improve your performance.