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Is the step back shot a travel?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 13, 2026

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.

Is a eurostep traveling?

Is the Euro Step Considered Traveling? The Euro step does not constitute traveling under current NBA rules. 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.

Is the double step-back legal?

That is legal according to the rule book and does not start the count on how many steps Harden is allowed to take: Harden then takes two steps and lays the ball in. It does appear he drags his back foot into his final step, but as Basketball Breakdown and others have pointed out, that's legal as well.

What is considered a travel in basketball?

What Is 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.

Is a shot attempt a travel?

If a player attempts a shot and that shot is not blocked nor does it hit the rim or backboard (i.e., air ball), the same player IS ALLOWED to rebound the ball. Everybody always says that this is travelling, but it's not. As long as in the opinion of the official, it's a shot attempt, then it's not travelling.

39 related questions found

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.

How many steps is a travel?

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. A travel can also be called via carrying or an unestablished pivot foot.

Can you travel while dribbling?

Some travel calls ain't travels. These include a legal jump stop, hustle slide, advancing without control of the ball and multiple steps during a dribble. Traveling is illegal movement by a player controlling (but not dribbling) a live ball inbounds.

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.

Does the NBA still call traveling?

That's why referees are working harder to get it right. Critics of the NBA — and even some fans — have long sneered that the league doesn't call traveling. McCutchen said data showed officials were missing about two per game, but the way the game is played today can make those misses more penal for the defense.

Can you Euro step without dribbling?

The Euro-Step

It is a sophisticated move designed to create space for the player. The Euro-step can be used by dribbling or without the ball. When performed with the basketball, it is often accomplished by jumping off one foot and then using the momentum to hop into the air and land in a step.

Who invented the step-back in basketball?

The origin of the step-back jumper

Was the creator Larry Bird or Kiki VanDeweghe? Michael Jordan made it one of his staples, and since the late great Kobe Bryant shadowed Michael's game, it was in his arsenal as well. Dirk is in the Hall of Fame because of his step-back.

What is a hop step in basketball?

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.

Who created the step-back?

While he might not have been the first to use the move, Jordan was the one who perfected it. The once gimmicky shot became an art form. Jordan used it often on the way to 6 championships.

Is sliding your feet a travel?

Traveling (part 2): Player dives across the floor to gather in a loose ball and slides several feet once control of the ball is attained. By rule, this is not a travel. There are restrictions on what the player can and cannot do while in control and laying on the floor.

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.”

What is 3 seconds in the lane?

Offensive 3-second violations are called when an offensive player stands in the lane for more than three seconds without guarding an opponent. Only the offensive team can commit this violation. There are different reasons for this violation.

Is James Harden step-back 3 a travel?

NBA Referee on James Harden's Step-Back Jumper Not Being a Travel.

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.

Why does Travelling have two l's?

The word 'travel' ends in one vowel + one consonant, but the last one is not stressed, so, we don't double the 'L'. British English: Travelling. In British English we spell travelling, with double 'L' because words ending in one vowel + 'L', to add some suffixes, we double the 'L'.

Is a gather step allowed in high school basketball?

However, the NFHS rulebook states that the first foot to touch the floor when a player gathers the ball is the pivot foot. The only time the pivot foot can legally leave the floor is to release the ball. By this logic, every “Gather, 1-2” would be a travel.

What is Travelling violation?

Traveling is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player takes too many steps without dribbling. The usual rule of thumb is that a player may only take two steps without dribbling; three steps is a travel. However, in reality this rule is much more complicated.

Is a step through legal in high school basketball?

This would be legal but most often when the player's back is to the basket during the spin, to again face the basket and get into position to release the ball on a try, the player must step again. This means the player's pivot foot returns to the floor a second time, thus causing a traveling violation.

Why is a jump stop not traveling?

“Coming to a jump stop is one of the first fundamentals all players must learn in the game of basketball,” former college basketball player Kristin Ronai says. “Coming to a jump stop allows you to stop and control [by] landing on both feet simultaneously so you don't travel.”

How is hop step executed?

Jog slowly down the court. At random intervals, or if practicing with your team or friends, at the signal of a whistle, execute a jump step. Drive with your leading foot. On whichever foot you stop or the leading foot when the whistle blows, drive downward with that foot and perform a small hop.