How many steps can a player take, and when is it travelling?

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Art. 25, a player who catches the ball while progressing, or at the end of a dribble, may take two steps to stop, pass or shoot. First step: when one foot or both feet touch the court after gaining control of the ball. Second step: when the other foot touches, or both feet touch simultaneously, after the first step. To start a dribble, the player must release the ball before the second step. A player may not touch the court consecutively with the same foot, or both feet, after ending a dribble or gaining control. Pivot foot: Catching with both feet on the floor: the moment one foot lifts, the other becomes the pivot foot. To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not lift before the ball is released. To pass or shoot, the player may jump off the pivot foot but must release the ball before either foot returns to the court. Stopping on the first step with both feet down (or landing on both at once): either foot may be the pivot. Landing on one foot: only that foot may be the pivot. Jumping off one foot on the first step and landing on both for the second step: no pivoting with either foot. On the floor: falling and sliding with the ball, or gaining control while lying or sitting, is legal. Rolling over or trying to stand up while holding the ball is a violation. Double dribble (Art. 24): after a dribble ends, a player may dribble again only after losing control because of a shot, a touch by an opponent, or a pass or fumble that touches or is touched by another player.