What is pivoting in basketball? What is the pivot foot? When can a player pivot with the ball? Get ready to learn the rules of pivoting in basketball.
Pivoting in basketball is an action the ball-handler can take by rotating around a pivot foot. Pivoting helps a player avoid a defensive player and find an opening on the court to take a shot.
A pivot foot is one of the ball-handler's feet that must remain on the floor while he pivots. The ball-handler can either choose his pivot foot or have it automatically be assigned.
REMEMBER: Once a player stops dribbling and picks up his dribble, he can only pivot, shoot, or pass the ball. Once a player has a pivot foot, he can not start dribbling again.
When the ball-handler picks up his dribble, he has the choice of choosing his pivot foot. Picking up your dribble means the player stops dribbling and holds the ball in his hands. When choosing a pivot foot, the ball-handler can pick either his left foot or right foot.
Sometimes, a player doesn't get to choose his pivot foot. The ball-handler's pivot foot is automatically assigned if he catches a pass or rebound while one foot is on the floor. In that case, the foot that is on the floor is his pivot foot.
PRO TIP: When catching a pass or rebound, make sure you jump in the air and keep both feet off the floor. If you do that, then you'll be able to choose your pivot foot.
Traveling is a violation in basketball that will be called on you if you violate the rules of dribbling. An example of traveling is lifting your pivot foot off the floor. You can think of the pivot foot as a rooted tree. When pivoting, you must keep your pivot foot rooted on the floor.
IMPORTANT: You can lift your pivot foot off the floor only if you immediately pass or shoot the ball prior to having it touch the floor again.
A five second violation will be called on the ball-handler if he holds onto the ball once his pivot foot is established for longer than five seconds. Five second violations result in a turnover and the other team getting the ball.