Traveling (basketball)

From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids

In the game of basketball, a traveling violation occurs when a player who has possession of the ball moves his/her feet without dribbling first, or when a player who has ceased dribbling unplants his/her established foot from the ground. Generally, the bottom of the heel may be lifted off the floor to some degree if the toes and ball of the foot remain soundly planted, but in all cases, once the toes are lifted, it is considered a clear-cut violation.

In an effort to increase scoring, NBA referees are reluctant to call traveling. Players who are approaching the hoop (perhaps on a fastbreak) and preparing to dunk are among the most notorious violators of traveling, yet they are rarely held accountable in such instances.

Traveling is sometimes referred to as "walking" or "steps". You can commit a travel by passing it to yourself off the backboard and then landing back on the ground with the basketball. This wouldnt be a violation if you pass it off the backboard and dunk it or lay it up before your feet touch back the ground.