How do the travelling rules work after a catch or the end of a dribble?
Rule- England
- Basketball England
- FIBA rules
- FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026
- All ages
- 2026/27
- Referees
Under FIBA Article 25:
Catching while standing with both feet on the floor
- When one foot lifts, the other becomes the pivot foot.
- To start a dribble, the pivot foot can't lift before the ball leaves the hand.
- To pass or shoot, the player may jump off the pivot foot, but neither foot may land before the ball is released.
Catching while moving, or finishing a dribble
- The player may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot.
- To start a dribble, the ball must be released before the second step.
- The first step is when one or both feet touch the floor after gaining control; the second is when the other foot (or both feet together) then touches.
- Stop on the first step with both feet down: either foot can be the pivot.
- Land on one foot: only that foot can pivot.
- Jump off one foot on the first step and land on both for the second: no pivot is allowed, and once a foot leaves the floor the ball must be released before it lands.
- A player may not touch the floor twice in a row with the same foot (or both feet) after ending the dribble or gaining control.
On the floor: falling and sliding while holding the ball, or gaining control while lying or sitting, is legal. Rolling or trying to stand up while holding it is travelling.
Note that the number of legal steps has no bearing on whether a player is in the act of shooting.
Added 21 Oct 2026