Traveling
A basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
Overview
A player in possession may not take too many steps without bouncing the ball. Traveling is called when a player holding the ball moves their established pivot foot illegally or takes more steps than the rules allow before passing, shooting or dribbling.
The violation gives the ball to the opposing team from a throw-in near where it occurred. Understanding the pivot foot — the foot that must stay planted while turning — is central to avoiding a travel.
Key points
- A player may pivot on one established foot but may not lift and replace it before releasing the ball.
- The ball must be dribbled to move across the court.
- A travel results in a turnover and a throw-in for the other team.
- Gathering the ball and then taking extra steps is the most common travel.
Where it’s used
Sports that use traveling:
Related rules
Double dribble
A basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
Shot clock
A timing rule that requires the attacking basketball team to attempt a shot within a set number of seconds.
Backcourt violation
A basketball rule breach for returning the ball into a team's own defensive half after it has crossed into the attacking half.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Traveling to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Officiating
- RefereeThe primary on-field official who enforces the rules, controls play, penalises fouls, awards restarts, and blows the whistle to start and stop a match.
- Penalty SignalA standardized hand or flag signal an official uses to announce a foul, penalty, or restart so players, teammates, and spectators can read the call.
- Foul callA foul call is an official's ruling that a player broke a rule of contact or conduct, triggering a penalty such as a free kick, free throw or penalty.
- Out-of-Bounds CallAn official's ruling that the ball or a player in possession has left the legal playing area, stopping play and handing a restart or possession to the opponent.
- Line JudgeA boundary-line official who calls whether the ball or player is in or out and flags foot faults, working under the head referee across many sports.
Beginner guides
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Knowledge Atlas
Skills
- DribblingThe skill of moving with the ball under close control to beat opponents or keep possession.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- Treading waterThe skill of staying afloat and upright in deep water without moving anywhere.
- ReboundingThe basketball skill of gaining the ball after a missed shot.
- PassingThe skill of moving the ball to a teammate accurately to keep possession and create chances.
Equipment
- BasketballA large, inflated ball with a dimpled surface used to play basketball.
- Football (soccer ball)A round, inflated ball used to play association football and futsal.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Cricket batA flat-fronted wooden bat used by batters to hit the ball in cricket.