SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bball-pivot-foot-dribble

When starting a dribble from a standstill, when must the ball leave your hand?

Before your pivot foot lifts off the floor.

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  1. Before your pivot foot lifts off the floor ✔
  2. Any time within two steps
  3. Before you take three steps

Why: Your pivot foot is the one that stays planted. To start a dribble, the ball must be out of your hand before that foot comes up, or it is traveling.

Huh, didn't know that: If you lift your pivot foot while holding the ball, you must pass or shoot before it lands again.

The dad joke
Why did the basketball player become a dancer? She already had a great pivot.
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References

Answer: Before your pivot foot lifts off the floor. Your pivot foot is the one that stays planted. To start a dribble, the ball must be out of your hand before that foot comes up, or it is traveling.

  1. NBA Official Rules, Rule 10: Violations and Penalties official.nba.com/rule-no-10-violations-and-penalties
    the ball must be out of the player’s hand before the pivot foot is raised off the floor.
    Checked 2026-10-12.

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Test yourself in the game

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