The pivot foot is a basketball player’s feet when one holds the ball and stands still or momentarily tackles the gameplay in a stationary position. A pivot is interlinked with the rules of traveling in basketball. So, can you move your pivot foot in basketball?
You can move your pivot foot in basketball as long as it’s in contact with the floor at the same place, i.e., pivoting, rotating, and taking a step in any direction using the other foot. Lifting the pivot foot isn’t permitted in basketball unless you do so to dribble, pass, and shoot.
There aren’t many pivot foot rules, and they’re relatively straightforward. However, when you combine basketball’s rules of traveling and how you may gain possession of the ball, establishing and working with your pivot foot becomes somewhat complicated. Read on to find out more!
How You Can Move Your Pivot Foot in Basketball
The only way you can move your pivot foot in basketball is by using it as the fulcrum to support rotating, spinning, or tackling an opponent while holding the ball in a stationary position. You can lift your pivot foot’s heel or toe to facilitate standing maneuvers using the other foot.
However, you can’t drag your pivot foot even though such an action doesn’t lift or raise the foot entirely off the floor. Once the pivot foot is established, you can move the other foot freely in any direction and as many times as you need for up to 5 seconds or earlier while releasing the ball.
Therefore, you can practice the following maneuvers with an established pivot foot without any violation:
- Pivot
- Rotate
- Spin
- Step (other foot)
When Can You Lift Your Pivot Foot in Basketball?
Here are the instances where you can lift your pivot foot in basketball:
- When jumping to attempt a field goal.
- When lifting the pivot foot as you pass.
- When dribbling after gathering the ball.
Note that you must release the basketball if you lift your pivot foot. Dribbling will release the ball, so the pivot foot rule doesn’t apply any longer. However, attempting a field goal or pass by lifting the pivot foot to jump or move on from the spot may result in a traveling violation if you fail.
Suppose you jump and lift your pivot foot to shoot, but an opponent prevents you from releasing or throwing the ball. You can’t land, and your feet can’t touch the floor again with the ball in hand. This scenario leads to a held ball, which is a traveling violation.
This held ball violation will also apply to lifting and moving your pivot foot when trying to pass but failing to do so for any reason. Examples include a lack of access to a teammate or an opponent touching and gripping the basketball with one or both hands while you’re still holding the ball.
Conclusion
You can move the heel or toe of your pivot foot to facilitate maneuvers with the other foot. Since you can’t lift your pivot foot and move without dribbling, passing, or shooting, you should establish it deftly when gathering the ball. How you gather the ball while progressing will let you choose either foot as the pivot. For example, tactfully use the two-step rule to come to a stop.