
Goaltending is a violation in basketball that occurs when a player interferes with a shot while the ball is on its downward flight, with a chance to go in, while above the cylinder. It was previously thought to be physically impossible, but the rule was adopted in 1944 after 6-foot-10-inch Mikan joined the league. Goaltending is often confused with basket interference, which occurs when a player touches the basket, rim, or ball when it is on or directly above the rim. Instant replay can now be used to determine if a goaltending call is correct, but this rule has been unpopular.
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What You'll Learn
- Goaltending is when a player touches the ball when it is on its downward flight
- The player's team is penalised, and the opposing team is awarded points
- Goaltending is commonly confused with basket interference
- Instant replay can be used to determine if a goaltending call is correct
- The rule was adopted in 1944 to prevent players from grabbing the ball out of the air

Goaltending is when a player touches the ball when it is on its downward flight
Goaltending is a commonly misunderstood rule in basketball. It occurs when a player touches the ball when it is on its downward flight with a chance to go in the basket, while above the cylinder. This rule was introduced to prevent players from simply grabbing the ball out of the air.
Goaltending is often confused with the related violation of basket interference, which occurs when a player touches the basket, the rim, or the ball when it is on the rim or directly above it. In high school and NCAA basketball, if goaltending is called on a free throw, the shooting team is awarded one point, and a technical foul is called against the offending player.
Referees can use instant replay to determine if a goaltending call is correct, especially during crucial moments of the game or overtime. However, this review rule has been met with criticism and calls for changes.
It is important to note that goaltending only applies when the ball has a chance to score and is not applicable if a player blocks a shot that is not in a downward flight or is not within the imaginary cylinder above the basket.
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The player's team is penalised, and the opposing team is awarded points
Goaltending is a violation in basketball, and if a player is penalised for it, the opposing team is awarded points. Goaltending occurs when a player interferes with a shot while the ball is on its downward flight, with a chance of going in the basket, while it is above what is known as the "cylinder". The cylinder is an imaginary area above the basket, and it is legal to block a shot when the ball is outside of this area and still on its upward flight. Goaltending can also occur when a player touches the rim, net, or ball while the ball is in the net, preventing it from clearing the basket.
If goaltending is called on a player, the opposing team is awarded points. The number of points awarded depends on the location of the violation and the type of shot attempted. If the violation occurs at the opponent's basket in the two-point zone, the offended team is awarded two points. If it occurs in the three-point zone, three points are awarded. However, if the violation occurs at the team's own basket, no points can be scored, and the ball is given to the offended team to inbound at the free-throw line extended.
In high school and NCAA basketball, if goaltending is called on a free throw, the shooting team is awarded one point, and a technical foul is called against the offending player. The rules regarding goaltending have been a source of controversy in college basketball, with some calling for changes to the goaltending review rule. This rule allows referees to use instant replay to determine if a goaltending call is correct, but it has been met with mixed reactions.
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Goaltending is commonly confused with basket interference
Goaltending is one of the most misunderstood rules in basketball. It occurs when a player touches the ball on its downward flight, with a chance to go in, while it is above the cylinder. It is important to note that the backboard has nothing to do with goaltending. It is legal to pin the ball against the backboard if it is still on its way up and not in the cylinder above the basket.
Goaltending is often confused with basket interference, also known as offensive goaltending. Basket interference occurs during an attempted field goal when a player touches the basket, the rim, or the ball when it is on the rim or directly above it. This includes touching the ball when it is sitting or rolling on the rim, using the rim as its lower base, or hanging on the rim while the ball is passing through. Additionally, it is considered basket interference if a player touches any ball within the playing area when it is above the basket rim and within an imaginary cylinder.
During a field goal attempt, if a player touches the ball after it has touched any part of the backboard above the ring level or touches the backboard below the ring level while the ball is on its upward flight, it is considered basket interference. It is important to note that if a player near their own basket has their hand legally in contact with the ball, and the contact continues after the ball enters the cylinder, it is not considered a violation.
The distinction between goaltending and basket interference can be confusing, but they have distinct differences. Goaltending specifically pertains to touching the ball on its downward flight, while basket interference involves touching the basket, rim, or ball in specific scenarios, including when the ball is on or above the rim or during a field goal attempt. Understanding these nuances is crucial for players, officials, and fans to ensure fair and accurate rulings during basketball games.
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Instant replay can be used to determine if a goaltending call is correct
Instant replay is a video reproduction of a live event that can be replayed to allow viewers to analyze what happened. It is used in many sports, including basketball, to allow officiating calls to be overturned. In the NBA, instant replay was first used in the 2002-03 season.
In the last two minutes of the fourth period and the last two minutes of any overtime, a team cannot use a Coach's Challenge to trigger an instant replay review of a goaltending call. Instead, the on-court game officials will exclusively trigger the review. If the officials are not reasonably certain whether a goaltending call was correct, instant replay will be triggered.
Instant replay can also be used to determine other matters related to a goaltending call, such as whether the shooter committed a boundary line violation or whether an 8-second backcourt violation occurred.
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The rule was adopted in 1944 to prevent players from grabbing the ball out of the air
Goaltending is a violation of the rules in basketball. It occurs when a player interferes with the ball as it travels towards the basket. The rule against goaltending was introduced in 1944 to prevent players from grabbing the ball out of the air. Before this rule was established, it was thought that goaltending was physically impossible and didn't need to be addressed. However, with the arrival of players like George Mikan, who stood at 6 feet 10 inches, it became clear that measures had to be taken to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage by grabbing the ball out of the air.
Goaltending is considered to have occurred when a player touches the ball under specific circumstances. Firstly, if a player touches the ball when it is in a downward flight and has a chance of going into the basket, it is goaltending. Additionally, if a player touches the ball when it is above the basket rim within an imaginary cylinder projecting above the rim, it is also goaltending. This cylinder is an important concept in basketball rules and is often referred to in relation to goaltending.
Another scenario that constitutes goaltending is when a player touches the ball after it has made contact with the backboard and still has a chance of going into the hoop. This rule clarifies that it is legal to pin the ball against the backboard if it is still on its way up and has not entered the cylinder above the basket. It's worth noting that slapping the backboard itself is not considered goaltending or basket interference.
Goaltending also includes touching the rim, net, or ball while the ball is in the net, preventing it from clearing the basket. If this violation occurs at the opponent's basket, the offended team is awarded two points for a two-point zone attempt or three points for a three-point zone attempt. However, if the violation happens at a team's own basket, no points are scored, and the ball is given to the offended team for a throw-in.
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Frequently asked questions
Goaltending is a violation in basketball where a player interferes with a shot while the ball is on its downward arc, or touches it while it is in an imaginary cylinder above the basket.
If the violation is at the opponent’s basket, the offended team is awarded two points if the attempt is from the two-point zone and three points if it is from the three-point zone. If the violation is at a team’s own basket, no points can be scored and the ball is awarded to the offended team.
Yes, if goaltending is called on a free throw, the shooting team is awarded one point, and a technical foul is called against the offending player.
Basket interference occurs when a player touches the basket, the rim, or the ball when it is on the rim or directly above it. Goaltending refers specifically to touching the ball during its downward flight.















