Question

In basketball, what is the term for illegally moving with the ball without dribbling?

Answer 1

Answer: Traveling

Explanation:

Traveling is one of the most fundamental violations in basketball that occurs when a player moves their feet illegally while holding the ball. This rule exists to maintain fair play and ensure that players cannot simply run across the court with the ball in their hands without properly dribbling.

When a player receives the ball, they establish what's called a pivot foot. This is typically the foot that remains stationary when they first gain control of the ball. Once this pivot foot is established, the player can move their other foot freely, but they must keep the pivot foot planted on the ground. If they lift their pivot foot before starting to dribble or after they've stopped dribbling, it results in a traveling violation.

Common situations where traveling occurs include taking more than two steps without dribbling, moving the pivot foot before releasing the ball for a pass or shot, or continuing to move after picking up the dribble. Basketball players are allowed to take two steps after they stop dribbling, but any additional steps without releasing the ball constitute a travel.

When a traveling violation is called, the opposing team gains possession of the ball through an inbound pass from the sideline. This makes avoiding travels crucial for maintaining offensive momentum and preventing easy turnovers that can shift the game's momentum to the other team.