In basketball, the penalty for traveling is a turnover, meaning the team loses possession of the ball. Traveling occurs when a player holding the ball moves one or both of their feet illegally, typically by taking too many steps without dribbling. The rule exists to maintain fair play and ensure players do not gain an unfair advantage by moving without dribbling. When a referee calls traveling, the opposing team is awarded the ball at the spot of the violation, impacting the game’s flow.