This is totally off-topic but I just had to get this off my chest. I play a lot of basketball. I also used to ref for 5 years. It never ceases to amaze me how many people think that it is illegal to catch your own airball if it was a legitimate shot attempt. I bet you didn’t know that did you? I hate it and I’m here to dispell what I call the biggest myth in basketball.
We’ve all grown up playing playground basketball thinking that if you airball a shot you can’t touch the ball again mainly due to the NBA. The NBA is the only league in the world in which this is a true violation. Not in the NCAA, not in Junior College, not in Intramural Sports, not in High School, not in City Leagues and certainly not Streetball! So the next time you’re out on the courts, educate all those haters. Catching your own airball is not travelling nor is it illegal!
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traveling_%28basketball%29
http://www.dallasref.com/pdf_files/most_misunderstood_basketball_rules.pdf - (#7)
http://www.longislandbasketball.com/AskTheRef2.html – (Last question at the bottom of the page)
February 25, 2009 at 9:26 am
what if the ball touches the ground, and you retrieve it. Is it a foul?
February 25, 2009 at 10:53 am
no, that’s not a foul. it’s a loose ball.
February 22, 2010 at 9:55 am
Great point Henry! I just tried to explain this rule during a pickup game. I even argued with guys on my team! Can you point me to some “official” rules so I can print them out and rub it in?