What is eurostep?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 20, 2026
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.
Is 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.
Why do they call it Euro step?
Yes, you guessed it, the Euro step gets its name from the decades it was used in European basketball leagues. The move was brought to the NBA by Šarūnas Marčiulionis in1989, and popularized in the 2000s by shooting guard great, Manu Ginóbili.
What is a euro in basketball?
Players in the N.B.A. now often showcase the Euro step, a move in which a player drives past a defender by stepping one way and then quickly taking a big lateral step in the other direction.
Who invented Euro step?
Manu Ginobili is often credited with the "Ginobili Eurostep" as the one who introduced the move in the NBA.
20 related questions foundWhat 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'.
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.
Can you take 3 steps in NBA?
In the NBA and FIBA, players are also given a "gather step". 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.
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.
Where does Manu Ginobili?
After three years in retirement, Manu Ginobili is officially returning to the San Antonio Spurs organization as a Special Advisor to Basketball Operations, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Can you take 2 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.
What is a reverse layup?
A “reverse” lay-up is where the offensive player drives from one side of the basket, and shoots from the other side of the basket. Particularly for older athletes, the basket can help to protect the shot from being blocked by the defender.
Are step backs traveling?
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.
Why is traveling never 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.
Can you stop after a Euro step?
If both feet were off the floor and that player lands on one foot followed by the other, the first foot to touch the floor would become the pivot foot. If one foot is on the floor when that player gains control or ends a dribble, two legal means of coming to a stop are possible.
How many steps are in a layup?
“A layup is the action of a player dribbling towards the hoop, taking two steps, and then laying the basketball into the hoop off the backboard.” For a traditional layup — this is correct.
How many steps after stop dribbling?
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. A player who receives the ball while he is progressing must release the ball to start his dribble before his second step.
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.
Who has the best step back in NBA history?
But, as is the case with just about any other kind of shot, no one measures up to Steph Curry. According to ESPN NBA analyst Kirk Goldsberry, eight players attempted at least 100 step-back 3-pointers this season. Curry attempted a grand total of 161, and converted them at an astonishingly high 47-percent clip.
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 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.
How many steps can you take before dribbling?
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.