Please Quit Calling Traveling on the "Euro Step"

• ross ford81

  Some players have worked hard on the "Euro Step" and unfortunately, some referees just don't understand it and are calling a travel. If it is executed properly (not everyone does) it can be an effective way to finish on the break or when a player takes the ball in the lane. It is not a travel, but it does look unusual and the casual fan often thinks it is a travel. One of the best players I've seen using this is St. John's Cheatham Norrils. The move is growing in usage and difficult to defend.
  Typically the right foot is planted and the next step is a sharp and sometimes big step cut back to the left foot before the shot is taken.
• hookshot

  Ross, I'd like to hear from others on this as well. At first I didn't like this move but the more I see it executed the more I think it is a smart move unless you have a ref who just doesn't understand it and blows the call.
• PANTHERMOTHER

  ross ford81 wrote: Some players have worked hard on the "Euro Step" and unfortunately, some referees just don't understand it and are calling a travel. If it is executed properly (not everyone does) it can be an effective way to finish on the break or when a player takes the ball in the lane. It is not a travel, but it does look unusual and the casual fan often thinks it is a travel. One of the best players I've seen using this is St. John's Cheatham Norrils. The move is growing in usage and difficult to defend.
  Typically the right foot is planted and the next step is a sharp and sometimes big step cut back to the left foot before the shot is taken.

  I agree totally! It's very frustrating to the players, coaches and fans when traveling is called.:@
• hookshot

  Was that a sarcastic response? It really is hard to tell. I'd really also like to see a decent discussion about this topic.
• sports_talk

  I you are referring to the jump stop it is because most of t he time it is not executed wrong. The problem is that they don't land on 2 feet. I they land on one foot then that is you pivot and then go to the next foot is 2 steps. YOu have to lot step again and go right up. It might not be what you are talking about. Never heard of Euro step???
• hookshot

  We're not talking about the jump stop here. That one is also called wrong occasionally but it has been around long enough that referees and players pretty well know what is OK and what is not. The Euro Step is basically a layup or drive to the basket where the feet go in opposite directions but take the same number of steps as a tradition runner or layup -- they're often bigger steps and the second step goes back in a different direction than the first. It is unorthodox for sure but no different in the number of steps if executed well than a regular layup.
• sports_talk

  Thanks for clarifying it Hook.
• Red_Skin_Pride

  

  Sportstalk,
  
  This might help you out a little bit. I wasn't really sure what exactly a Euro step was referring to either until I looked it up, but like me, you'll probably recognize it as soon as you see it.
  
  This video is Manu Ginobli explaining a little bit of how it works.
  
  
• hookshot

  Great video and obviously a perfect explanation of how the Euro Step can work and get separation on the drive.
• PANTHERMOTHER

  hookshot wrote: Was that a sarcastic response? It really is hard to tell. I'd really also like to see a decent discussion about this topic.

  If you were referring to my response, I'm very serious! Some players use it to avoid a charge. When you're driving down the lane and the defender is standing there to take a charge and as you get close to them, they kinda lean toward the direction that they think you are going to try and get that contact....your move quickly turns into a fake and you take a big step in the other direction going around that defender and laying up the ball. It's sometimes what the kids call "breaking your ankles", because it's such a quick move that takes the defender in one direction, while you go in the opposite. It can look crazy as heck, but if it's done correctly, it's absolutely not traveling. I've went over the move with my son and it does work. Now we just have to get the refs familiarized with the move and everything will be lovely.
• hookshot

  OK, I'm with you. I just wasn't altogether sure from your other post. Thanks. Just think if every ref in Ohio read "Freehuddle" we wouldn't have the problems with calls on the Euro Step.
• redstreak one

  

  Actually the jump stop drives me nuts. I swear you dont have to land on two feet anymore I have watched players do the euro step off of the jump stop! lol That is a nice move that gives seperation. If done quick enough I could see refs being caught off guard.
• raiderbuck

  Dwayne Wade uses this move as well. Except he calls it the "Two Step".
  
  
• ZackJ10

  amen. refs need to get up to date on what moves are legal. they need to stop calling travels on moves just because it is different looking. when u are a little white kid like me, you gotta make up creative moves to be effective