Goaltending
A basketball violation for interfering with a shot while the ball is on its downward path to the basket or above the rim.
Overview
A defender may block a shot, but not once the ball has begun its downward flight toward the hoop, is directly above the rim, or is on the rim. Touching the ball in any of these situations is goaltending, and the shooting team is credited with the score.
The rule also covers offensive players who touch the ball in the cylinder above the rim, known as basket interference. It stops tall players from simply swatting away every shot at the last moment.
Key points
- A shot may be blocked only before it starts its downward path.
- Touching the ball on or directly above the rim is not allowed.
- On a defensive goaltend, the points are awarded to the shooting team.
- Offensive interference in the cylinder cancels the basket.
Where it’s used
Sports that use goaltending:
Related rules
Traveling
A basketball violation for moving illegally with the ball without dribbling it.
Double dribble
A basketball violation for dribbling with two hands at once, or for dribbling again after picking up the ball.
Shot clock
A timing rule that requires the attacking basketball team to attempt a shot within a set number of seconds.
How it connects
The meaning-bearing relationships that place Goaltending in the wider knowledge graph — each one with the reason it exists.
Frequently learned together
Taught side by side in the same stage of a learning path.
- TravelingBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Double dribbleBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Shot clockBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Backcourt violationBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
- Personal fouls and free throwsBoth are taught in the “Get to know the game” stage of the Basketball learning path.
Explore across the knowledge base
Follow the threads that connect Goaltending to the rest of SocialSportHub.
Positions
- CenterThe center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team, playing near the basket to score inside, rebound, and protect the rim.
- The goaltenderHockey's most specialised position — how a goaltender covers a 1.83 m by 1.22 m net, what the butterfly style is for, and the rule protections and restrictions unique to the role.
- Power forwardThe power forward plays near the basket in basketball, using strength to rebound, score inside, and defend the paint.
Techniques
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How this page is maintained
- Content type
- Rule
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
- Verified external sources
- 0
- Content updated
- 2026-09-12
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