General
gather step
What does gather step mean?
An extra 'zero' step allowed as a player gathers the ball after stopping their dribble, before taking two more steps.
"The refs let him get away with a huge gather step there."
Origin
NBA rule interpretation; codified into the official rulebook.
Frequently asked questions
What is a gather step?
It's the 'zero' step a player is allowed as they gather the ball after ending their dribble, before taking their two legal steps.
Is the gather step a real rule?
Yes — the NBA codified the gather into its official rulebook to clarify what counts before the two-step rhythm.
Why is the gather step controversial?
Fans often argue it lets players take what looks like an extra step, blurring the line with traveling.
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