Basketball Rules for Dribble Traveling

Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in 1892. When he penned the original 13 rules, there was no mention of dribbling and moving with the ball in any way being illegal. He envisioned a game full of passing to move the ball closer to the basket. Today's game relies heavily on dribbling to advance the ball. With the allowance of the dribble, rules were created to regulate a player's ability to advance the ball.

  1. National Collegiate Athletic Association

    • Traveling is covered by the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Rule Book under Rule 4, Section 66. That rule states that walking occurs when a player holding the ball moves his feet in any direction more than the permitted amount. This amount is defined as two and a half steps. If a player takes more than that without dribbling or after picking up his dribble, he should be whistled for a traveling violation and the opposing team should be awarded the ball. Traveling can also occur when a player changes his pivot foot while in possession of the ball. A traveling violation also occurs when a player leaves the ground and returns without getting rid of the basketball or when he falls with the ball and attempts to get up.

    National Federation of State High School Associations

    • Most high school basketball leagues are governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations, or the NFHS. The rules for traveling in high school basketball are similar to those used in the NCAA. Some small differences lie in the rules regarding inbounding the basketball and a player's ability to stand up with the basketball if he receives it on the ground.

    National Basketball Association

    • The main difference between professional basketball and all other levels is that once a player is on the ground with the ball, he can stand up without having traveling called on him. If you’ve watched an NBA game, you’ve probably noticed that the referees very rarely call a traveling violation. Traveling is covered in the NBA Rule Book under Rule 10, Section VII. The NBA allows a player to take more steps after picking up the dribble and allows the player two steps when he catches the ball after making a move to get open or after he stops dribbling before he passes or shoots the ball.