In a basketball game, players often pivot on one foot while dribbling. Which frictional force is primarily responsible for enabling this movement without slipping?

The main force that keeps a pivoting player from slipping is the static friction between the shoe’s sole and the court surface. Static friction acts horizontally along the contact patch, opposing any sliding motion while the foot stays planted. When a player turns, the foot’s center of pressure shifts, but static friction supplies the counter‑force needed to rotate the body without the foot sliding. For example, if a player pivots on the right foot, the shoe’s rubber grip creates enough static friction to resist the backward force of the body’s rotation, allowing a smooth turn. This frictional force keeps the foot locked in place while the rest of the body turns.