In basketball, the number of steps a player can take is typically governed by the “traveling” rule. Here’s a breakdown:
1. When holding the ball and standing still: A player must establish a “pivot foot” once they come to a stop. They can rotate on that foot but cannot lift it off the ground unless they start dribbling or pass/shoot the ball.
2. After taking a step while dribbling: When a player picks up their dribble (stops bouncing the ball), they are allowed two steps before they must pass, shoot, or start dribbling again.
3. After a jump stop: When a player jumps and lands on both feet at the same time, they can choose one foot to be their pivot foot. They then have two steps to move before they need to pass, shoot, or dribble.
In short, a player can take two steps after they stop dribbling, but any additional steps beyond that would result in a traveling violation.
