What Is Goaltending in Basketball? Defensive and Offensive Rules
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TL;DR
Goaltending protects a shot that has a chance to enter the basket. Defenders cannot touch a descending shot above the rim or interfere with the ball on the cylinder; attackers face related basket-interference restrictions.
Defensive goaltending
A defender may not block a shot after its downward flight begins if it has a chance to score. Touching the backboard or rim in a prohibited situation can also produce a goaltending call.
Offensive basket interference
The attacking team cannot touch the ball while it is on the rim or interfere with the basket, net or cylinder to help a score. The penalty and possession result depend on the rule set.
Why timing matters
A block on the way up can be legal, while the same touch on the way down is not. Officials judge the ball’s flight and position rather than whether the play looked spectacular.
Result of the call
Defensive goaltending generally awards the shot’s value to the shooter. Offensive interference cancels the basket and gives the defense the prescribed possession.
Related basketball rules
See traveling, double dribble, the three-second rule and alley-oops.
Sources
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