How many steps can you take in basketball? Understanding what is a travel in basketball

How many steps can you take in basketball? Understanding what is a travel in basketball

Grace Waruguru
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:23 PM

Netizens have always wondered, ''how many steps can you take in basketball?'' Well, like every other game out there, the 5-a-side game is governed by rules, and a violation of any of them leads to penalties in the game. Read on to find out how many steps you can take as you make moves on the court when playing basketball.

how many steps can you take in basketball
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball during the second quarter at Chase Center, on January 10, 2023, in San Francisco, California. Photo: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

The first step in understanding how many steps you can take with a basketball is to understand a travel. A travel means that a player having the ball has taken too many steps without dribbling, shooting, or passing the ball. So, how many steps can you take in basketball? Let us find out.

How many steps can you take in basketball 2023?

Since its inception, the sport's rules have changed over the years. While 2023 might see some more adjustments, the rule of thumb concerning the number of steps to take while handling the ball remains unchanged.

You may wonder, ''Can I take more than two steps with the basketball?'' Discover the rules you must abide by and how many steps you can take for the various moves.

How many steps can you take in basketball without dribbling?

how many steps can you take in basketball without dribbling
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a pass against Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half on January 12, 2023, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Kevork Djansezian
Source: Getty Images

One of the reasons why basketball is exciting is the thrill of players moving around dribbling the ball as they plan to shoot or pass it to their teammates. Players are not allowed to take the ball and not dribble.

How many steps can you take in basketball before dribbling? It is always exciting to see the various dribbling styles that players have. However, they cannot take more than two steps without dribbling the ball.

How many steps can you take in basketball while dribbling?

You might wonder what happens when the player receives the ball, and how many steps they can take as they dribble. A dribble is not considered as contact with the ball. Therefore, players can dribble as many times as possible before passing or shooting the ball.

How many steps can you take in basketball without travelling?

how many steps can you take in basketball without travelling
Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets drives with the ball on January 06, 2023, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Jonathan Bachman
Source: Getty Images

Once they take the ball, players cannot take more than two steps without passing or shooting it. In case this happens, they make a travelling foul. However, the travelling rule has some twists to it.

For example, if a player lifts his pivot foot after getting the ball, that also counts for travelling. Once a player catches the ball, one foot should remain stationary as they turn, and the pivot foot should only be lifted when they shoot or pass the ball.

The pivot foot changes depending on the player's position when they catch the ball. If they receive it with both feet firmly on the ground, either can be established as the pivot. If they receive it in the air, the foot that first touches the ground becomes his pivot foot.

how many steps can you take in basketball NBA
Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 16, 2023, at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Photo: Stephen Gosling
Source: Getty Images

If an athlete finishes dribbling and takes a step or two before starting another dribble, it is considered a travel and is not allowed. Other grounds for a travelling violation include:

  • Taking more than steps after starting to dribble
  • Lifting the pivot foot before releasing the ball through passing, shooting, or dribbling
  • Changing the pivot foot
  • Taking a step before dribbling after standing still
  • Catching your airball
  • Jumping up then down without releasing the ball
  • Taking two steps after a jump stop, which is considered one step
  • Sliding and rolling with the ball after initially losing control of it
  • Lifting the pivot feet while doing a jab step. A jab step is also known as a side step and occurs when the player holds the ball and steps forward or sideways with one foot to challenge the defender.

How many steps can you take in basketball before shooting?

Once a player has the ball, he can dribble, pass or shoot the ball. However, if he intends to shoot, he cannot take more than two steps, which is a travelling violation. When shooting, ensure you are well balanced, with your knees slightly bent as you make the shot.

Can you take three steps for a layup?

how many steps can you take in basketball before dribbling
Kevin Durant (Left) of the Brooklyn Nets drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 6, 2023. Photo: Layne Murdoch Jr.
Source: Getty Images

A layup is a shot close to the basket and off the backboard. A player runs towards one side of the basket, jumps, and lays the ball off the backboard and into the hoop.

According to the basketball rules, you can take three steps for a layup. However, you must learn how to do it skillfully to avoid getting a travel violation.

First, get into position, that is, face the basket with your hands up in front of your face so that you see the ball when it comes over to the rim. Additionally, your knees should bend slightly, with one foot behind the other.

how many steps can you take in basketball while dribbling
LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles to the basket past during the second half of a game at Crypto.com Arena on January 15, 2023. Photo: Sean M. Haffey
Source: Getty Images

If you have been wondering how many steps you can take in basketball, now you know. Like any other sport, practice makes perfect. Be sure to look out for these rule as you watch the next basketball game and enjoy the dribbles.

READ ALSO: The history of basketball and all the facts

Sportsbrief published an article discussing the origin and history of basketball. The game was invented in 1891 by James Naismith, a second-year graduate student and new physical education teacher at the International Young Men's Christian Association.

The sport is played in most countries globally and was first played by 18 players. Click on the link above to discover the history of basketball and some interesting facts about it.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.