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Is a step back a travel?

Author

Sarah Smith

Published Jan 21, 2026

Harden's step-back jumper is an exception to the traveling rule. This is due to a section in the NBA rulebook that deals with traveling. In the Rule 10, Section XIII section, it explains why Harden can use his step-back jumper.

Why is the step-back not a travel?

NBA ref explains why the James Harden step-back jumper isn't traveling. The letter F. An envelope. It indicates the ability to send an email.

Is a step-back a travel in college?

But the step-back play, which James Harden has nearly perfected in the NBA, will not be called a travel in college basketball this coming season. It's one of a handful of points of emphasis the NCAA is instructing its officials on for the upcoming year.

Is a side step a travel?

This is a legal play. Although James puts the ball behind his back, he only takes two steps after the gather of the ball and therefore it is NOT a travel. Did Harden travel? The offensive player gathers the ball, and flips it from his left hand to right behind his back, with his right foot as his pivot foot.

What defines a travel 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.

43 related questions found

Is a Euro step a travel?

The NBA rulebook established a two-step rule in 2009, which permits a ball handler to take two steps in performing a layup or dunk. Since the Euro step is an offensive move that does not exceed the allotted two steps, it does not constitute a traveling violation.

What counts as a travel?

Generally speaking, a travel foul occurs when a player takes more than two steps without dribbling the ball. The player can move independently as long as they continue to dribble. If the player comes to a complete stop, either the left or right foot may become the pivot foot.

Is hardens step back a travel?

No, Harden isn't traveling when he goes into his euro-step layup, even if it looks that way to casual fans. This is a legal move because of how the gather is defined in the rule book. Remember that the next time someone complains that Harden is taking three steps.

Is the zero step allowed in high school basketball?

Over time, officials realized that it was the same as a traditional, "one-two" layup, just with different timing and direction. I believe that it's time that high school officials allow the gather step (or zero step) on all plays where a player is on the move as he or she gathers the ball.

Is the double step back legal?

The Basketball Rule book defines the travel as a violation that occurs once the player holding the ball moves one or both of their feet illegally. It goes on to say that most traveling infringements occur when a player takes more than two steps once the ball is no longer live on the floor.

Is a travel 2 or 3 steps?

When a player has taken more than three steps without the ball being dribbled, a traveling violation is called. In 2018, FIBA revised the rule so that one can take a "gather step" before taking the two steps.

How many points is a free throw worth?

A free throw is worth one point. Free throws are awarded to a team according to some formats involving the number of fouls committed in a half and/or the type of foul committed. Fouling a shooter always results in two or three free throws being awarded the shooter, depending upon where he was when he shot.

Can you take two steps without dribbling?

And there are even more traveling violations in basketball than you might expect! So To answer the question on can you take Two steps in basketball without dribbling? No, you cannot take two steps in basketball without dribbling the ball.

Is the step-back shot a travel in high school?

At times, step-back jumper looks like a travel. Especially in real time rather than slow motion. Harden's step-back jumper is an exception to the traveling rule. This is due to a section in the NBA rulebook that deals with traveling.

Can you take a step before dribbling?

The definition of a travel is when a player illegally moves one or both feet. If a player takes three steps or more before dribbling, or changes pivot foot, it's a traveling violation. That means a player can take two steps before he has to dribble. If this isn't the case, the ball is for the opponents.

Is Catching your own airball a travel?

When the ball leaves the hands of the shooter, the shot has ended so, when an airball is caught, it is not considered traveling because it is a new act of shooting the ball towards the opponent's basket. Catching your own airball is legal.

Is dragging your foot a travel?

This is a traveling violation. Once the offensive player establishes a pivot foot, he may move his other foot as many times as he chooses, but the ball must be out of his hands to pass or shoot before he moves his pivot foot.”

Is it Travelling or traveling spelling?

One or Two L's? If you look at where the single l forms originate and where the double l forms originate a pattern emerges: in the United States, traveled and traveling predominate, and everywhere else travelled and travelling are preferred.

Is a hop step legal in the NBA?

However the case of so-called 'Hop step' has become violation as it is also a violation in the NBA. This means: A player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot or both feet after ending his dribble or gaining control of the ball.

What is an NBA Euro step?

The Euro step, two-step, long lateral, or Ginobili Eurostep is a basketball move in which 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 intended to allow the offensive player to evade a defender and attack the basket.

Why is traveling not called in the NBA?

As you shoot or pass, you're allowed to lift that foot and as long as it doesn't hit the ground before you unload the ball. That's not traveling, at any level of basketball. It's why young players are taught to jump stop – land on both feet at the same time – so that they can use either foot as their pivot foot.

What is the zero step in basketball?

The implementation of the '0' Step or 'Control' Step now gives a player the opportunity to gain control of the basketball while on the move with an initial step. This step is not counted as an action with possession of the ball, meaning the next step by the moving player with the ball is deemed 'Step 1'.

What does the B in beef stand for?

Good form is the key to good shooting. From Tara VanDerveer, remember the acronym "BEEF" - Balance. Eyes. Elbow. Follow-Through.

Can you jump in a free throw?

In addition, the shooter must release the ball within five seconds (ten seconds in the United States) and must not step on or over the free-throw line until the ball touches the hoop. Players are, however, permitted to jump while attempting the free throw, provided they do not leave the designated area at any point.