Possession, the gather and legal movement

Rules 4 and 10 — Gather and footwork

The gather occurs when a player has enough control to hold, pass or shoot, changes hands with control, cradles the ball, or lets a controlled dribble come to rest. The first step is the first floor contact after the gather.

A moving player may take 2 steps after gathering to stop, pass or shoot. A player gathering a pass before starting a dribble may take only 1 step before releasing the ball. From a stationary catch or legal stop, the ball must leave the hand before the pivot foot lifts to start a dribble.

The pivot foot may lift for a pass or shot, but the ball must be released before that foot returns. Landing on both feet after jumping from the first step does not create a new pivot right. Consecutive hops on the same foot are illegal.

Rules 4 and 10 — Dribbling and control

A dribble ends when the ball is held with both hands, rests in the hand or is otherwise gathered. Carrying and restarting a voluntarily ended dribble are violations. Another dribble is permitted after specified intervening events, such as an opponent touching the ball.

Team control ends on a defensive deflection or a field-goal attempt. Team possession continues until the defense gains possession or the ball touches the attacking basket ring. These different definitions affect foul and shot-clock decisions.