Today in our series about misunderstood high school sports rules, we’re going to take up the topic of sliding. In baseball and softball, a runner will slide to get to a base; in soccer, a slide can separate an offensive player from the ball; and in football, a player slides to give himself up when running the ball. Everyone applauds a good play.

But in basketball, a slide usually gets everyone in the stands and the sidelines up - screaming for a traveling call. And they’re wrong. A player sliding on the floor after gaining control of the ball is not called for traveling unless the player rolls over or attempts to get up without dribbling. A player on his or her stomach may pass, shoot, start a dribble or request a time out. If on his or her back, a player can also sit up without violating the rules.