Basketball is a game that has many rules, and all basketball players should follow those rules if they want to win. Because there are already many rules in basketball, some rules have been forgotten by most players. One of the rules or violations basketball players forget about is the up and down violation. So, what is up and down in basketball? Let me answer that.
What does up and down mean in basketball? Up and down is also known as “traveling violation” in basketball. The up and down violation occurs when you jump with the ball, and you land down without releasing the ball from your hands.
Like I have said, there are many misconceptions about the up and down violation in basketball. That is why I am here today to tell you what are those misconceptions so that you can avoid them. Also, I am going to answer different questions that are related to our topic. Let’s go!
More Information About Up And Down In Basketball
Up and down is a violation in basketball that most basketball players always commit. However, all basketball players don’t know the exact term of it and they just called it traveling. Up and down is when you jump with the ball, but you didn’t release it, and you land down from your jump with the ball.
There are many misconceptions about the up and down violation in basketball. The first misconception is that if the ball was released and results into an airball, which means you make a shot attempt and hit nothing, and you try to rebound it, some people considered it as up and down.
Technically, it is not an up and down violation. When a basketball player releases the ball, it is actually out of the team’s control whatever happens to the shot. Airball is not an up and down violation in basketball, but it is a violation to retrieve your airball.
However, some basketball leagues have no problem when a player retrieves his/her airball. This can be argued quite a bit in a pick-up basketball game or street basketball game. In the NBA, it is illegal to rebound your airball.
Another misconception about the up-down violation in basketball is when a defensive player blocks an offensive player, and they both come down from the air while both hands are in the ball. Basketball players think that it is up and down violation, but it is not.
When this happens, it will result in a jump ball. If a defensive player blocked the offensive player and the offensive player didn’t release the ball, it is considered a blocked shot, not an up and down violation. The play will resume, and the clocks continue to run. However, like the airball violation, this can also be argued in a pick-up or street basketball game.
An up and down in basketball can also refer to the drill during practice. Up and down basketball drill is often a punishment given by the coaches. This is where a basketball player runs from the baseline, touches the opposite baseline, and runs back from the previous baseline he/she touched.
So, in short, up and down have two meanings in basketball. One is a violation where a basketball player jumped and failed to release the ball. Second is it is a drill used by coaches to punish their players.
Why Up And Down Violation Happen In Basketball?
Up and down is a violation in basketball. It is a violation most basketball players make because of various reasons. Up and down violation is common to basketball, and let me tell you the reason why up and down violation in basketball happen.
Up and down violation happen because of lack of focus, bad offense, and bad strategy. Let me repeat that up and down is a violation in basketball where an offensive player jumps, fails to release the ball and goes down from the air with the ball in his hands.
Lack of focus is the main reason why up and down violation happens. When you are out of focus during a basketball game, you will forget that you jump and forget to release the ball. A poor offense can also be the reason, especially if you have no teammates trying to get the ball from you.
Lastly is the bad strategy. Up and down violation in basketball happens when a basketball team has no good strategy. Every offense, there should be a right strategy to execute. Because if there is no strategy, the team might lose or waste possession of the ball.
Is Hop Step A Travel In Basketball?
The answer is no. Hop step in basketball is not a traveling violation, as long as you do the right hop step form. Hop steps are not considered as traveling. Why? Because every basketball player is allowed to step twice when coming to a stop. When you perform a hop step, you are not allowed to take another step because it will be a traveling violation.
Hop step is a move used by all basketball players in the world, including professional players. As long as the referees don’t call travel on you when you do a hop step, it is not a traveling violation. And even though they didn’t call it, the hop step is not a traveling violation as long as you didn’t take another step after a hop step.
Pivot Foot And Travelling Violation
Pivot foot is where most basketball players get called a traveling violation. When you don’t know how to establish a right pivot foot on the court, referees might give you tons of traveling violations.
When you established your pivot foot in basketball and you moved your pivot foot and you didn’t release the ball, it will be a traveling violation. When you want to move your pivot foot, you have to dribble the ball first before moving it. The first foot that hit the ground when you get the ball is your pivot foot. Let me give you an example.
For example, your teammate made a shot and misses, and you go up to rebound the ball. When you come back down from a jump after you got the ball and you land with your right foot, your right foot is your pivot foot. But if you land with both of your feet at the same time, you are free to use either of your feet as your pivot foot.
Can You Dribble After A Pump Fake?
Another thing that most basketball players get confused about is the pump fake. Most basketball players are confused if they can dribble the ball after they perform a pump fake. So, can a basketball player dribble the ball after they try to fake their opponents?
Can you dribble the ball after a pump fake? Yes! Basketball players can dribble the ball after a pump fake as long as they did not dribble the ball yet. But if a basketball player already dribbled the ball, held it with both hands, and executed a pump fake, he/she is not allowed to dribble the ball again because it will result in a traveling violation.
Be careful when performing a pump fake because you may accidentally jump and may not release the ball. If this happens, it can result in an up and down violation or traveling violation.
The pump fake is a good move in basketball because it fakes your opponents. When you pump fake, it looks like you are going to take a shot. So when you execute the pump fake properly, you will trick your defender, and your defender might get into you or jump to block your shot. When your defender bites on your bait, you can drive effortlessly inside the basket.
I know it looks simple, but if you are a beginner in basketball it can be difficult. However, you should not lose hope and just continue working out your basketball skills. Master every basketball move and study every basketball rule.
How To Avoid Up And Down Violation In Basketball?
To avoid the up and down violation in basketball, you have to make sure that you are focused on the game. Be sure that you know how many steps you have made already, and make sure that you know when to jump.
When you do a pump fake, remember that you don’t jump in a pump fake. Because if you jump and you did not release the ball, it will be an up and down violation. The main thing to avoid the up and down violation in basketball is to stay focused on the game and have a presence of mind.
Final Verdict
Let me give you a recap about up and down in basketball. Up and down basketball is a violation. When a player jumps, forgets to release the ball, and comes back down with the ball in its hands. Up and down can also be a drill used by coaches to punish their players where a player runs from a baseline, touches the other baseline, and comes back to the previous baseline he/she touched.
Now that you know the meaning of up and down in basketball, I hope it helps you a good basketball player. Learn to focus always on the game. Focus is what you need to avoid various violations in basketball.
Do you have any meaning of up and down in basketball? If yes, comment your answer below!
