OK, so here is a question to ponder from the "Groove Yard of Forgotten Favorites." During the British Invasion of the early 1960's Rock and Roll music was revolutionized by some friends from across the pond. Some of you remember the bands that were involved-The Beatles, The WHO! Actually, do you remember there were five bands credited with the "invasion?" Most of us can get three, and the music lovers can get the fourth. But very few people now remember the fifth band. Here is a Hint; the four obvious bands are-The Beatles, The WHO, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks. Trivia Question: Who was the fifth band?
Now, to basketball. NFHS 2014 Rules Book; page 40 and rule section 44-Traveling: "Traveling is moving a foot or feet in any direction in excess of prescribed limits while holding the ball." As I go through my summer rules review, I was struck as I read this rule/definition again, probably for the 100th time. My thinking went to the many opportunities I have had on the court to call this violation.
This year, as I slowed down to ponder it, my mind went to something I had not considered for awhile. Those of you familiar with the rule and the book, know that the book goes on to describe various scenarios and considerations about the foot/feet and when they move, and so on and so forth. What stood out to me this summer were four almost forgotten words-"while holding the ball." After contemplating that phrase, I went back and read the rule again, along with other quotations in the book related to traveling. And, there it was-the ball and where it is and what it is doing in relationship to the feet just stood out.
Just like many of you, I have been to camps and clinics, and been intructed in what is traveling and what it is not. When it is called and when perhaps it should not be called. What I have noticed in the culture and discourse of the world of basketball is that the traveling "discussion/discourse" is around what the feet do. Coaches, and "color analysts" often pontificate to ad nauseum about the call, and whether or not the referee got it right. Many times, as we know, they get it just plain out wrong.
But I ask you, are the feet/foot the central part of the rule? Asked another way, would there be any traveling calls made without consideration of where the ball is and what is going on with it? I submit, no there would not be. I mean, how many times have you ever made the call on any player without he/she being involved with the ball. Probably absolutely none. And, if you did/do, you probably would not be officiating very long.
The point is, the ball and its location is key in making a decent traveling call. Now, I am not addressing what you do for game management, or various levels like we see on TV in the late spring, like now. Those games and people making those calls, are not my audience. But, to make a decent call a good referee, who wants to get the call right, will not only know what is going on with the feet, but absolutely know what the ball is doing, and what can be done while holding the ball. You also will have to be an expert at what a pass and try look like. And, you will know these things regardless of the team or personalities playing on the floor. And, in some cases, the referee just has to have the guts to blow and make the call in a tough situation. Suggestion: know the rule, know where the ball is, and know the definitions of "try, tap, and pass" in order to get it right!
Now to the Trivia: Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson, Denis Payton, Rick Huxley and Dave Clark-composed the British band, "The Dave Clark Five." Also known as "The DC5." They were the second British invasion group to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, after The Beatles. And had more total appearances on that show than any other British band. Their single, "Glad All Over" was the single that knocked the Beatles' "I want to hold your hand" out of the number one chart spot in Britain. Pull that group up on your MP3, and relate to a more simple time!
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