What is Goaltending in Basketball?
You may not have seen goaltending violations in basketball matches often, but it is one of the most crucial rules in basketball tournaments.
However, this is not a very common act in-game, but you may find it in high-level games. Goaltending in basketball is a violation that a pro player has occurred and is more likely to impact the whole team’s execution.
However, if you have ever heard the word “Goaltending in Basketball” by any basketball player, commentator, or any other person, but you are unaware of this word.
Don’t panic! It is just one of the basketball rules which comes to be seen very unusually. Yet, as an enthusiastic basketball devotee, you must identify every rule of basketball.
So this article is all about what goaltending is and why it is essential in basketball? So, let’s begin our topic with a quick definition.
Goaltending in Basketball
In basketball, goaltending is a violation in which the player constrains the ball when traveling towards the basket in a descending direction. However, the ball should be in several conditions to occur this violation.
- When the ball is traveling in a downward position
- When it is above the basketball ring.
- When the ball is about to enter the cylinder but not touching the rim.
If the ball is in these conditions and a player touches the ball, he would be called out as a goaltender. Thus, the player should shoot the ball very consciously and send it right into the basket.
This violation is usually occurred by excellent players who are dynamically skilled in high jumping and prevent the ball from getting into the basket.
However, many people also called this violation a bank shot, which involves high jumping, but the ball hits the backboard without touching the rim.
Anyhow, in the National Basketball Association, goaltending can be seen during lay-ups before the defensive player blocks the offender’s way. If a player violates this rule, the opposing team would be given the basket.
Goaltending Examples in Basketball
You might have heard the announcer saying goaltending in some basketball tournaments but could not understand which positions are being referred to. So, below are some examples that would help you know the goaltending.
- The block is blown, and the center is called out for goaltending when the ball reaches its goal while flying in a downward position.
- Goaltending occurs when the player hits the ball after the ball touches the backboard but before touching the rim.
- Hence, if you watch such positions in basketball championships, you would easily recognize that it is goaltending.
Importance of Goaltending in Basketball
This violation is committed by very few players who can jump high to reach above the basket and hit the ball in the air.
However, it is a very rare but possible violation to be committed by the players. Nevertheless, this rule gives the player a chance to benefit from taller players in their team and get the ball above the rim.
Goaltending History
The goaltending rule was introduced in 1944 in NCAA, and afterward, it got expanded by many other leagues. However, this rule got executed because of some tall heighted players who can make a high jump and snatch the ball from the air.
Although before 1944, it was never thought to perform this rule because many players were not that much high heighted, and they are not likely to reach above the rim.
Notwithstanding, this rule is considered a very conscious move because the players need to make a smart move to grasp the ball from being into the basket. Yet this violation could occur negatively, and the taller players could easily block the way.
Goaltending in NBA
Usually, goaltending occurs when the player violently touches or hits the ball, but it is slightly different in the NBA. In the NBA, goaltending violation occurs in the following situations.
- When the player touches the ball while the ball has touched the rim.
- When the player touches the ball while it has entered the imaginary cylinder.
- If the player touches the basket net, rim, or backboard, which results in the ball bouncing back from the rim.
- If the player hands on the rim while the ball is moving across it.
If a player finds under any of these situations, he would be called out for goaltending. Yet, these positions are not implemented on lay-up shots when the player has not released the ball.
Drawbacks of Goaltending
If a player commits a goaltending violation, the opponent team would be awarded the points. However, if a defending team violates this rule while throwing a free shot, the offensive would get one point, and a technical foul would be charged under the defense.
Similarly, if the defender makes a 2-point shot and commits the violation, the opponent team would be rewarded with two points. Same with the three points and further.
Nonetheless, the players’ very fundamental point is that the players should hit or touch the ball when it is in the air traveling downwards or off the backboard after the opposite team has shot the ball.
Many players violate this rule by getting confused between the goaltending rules, and that’s why they face drawbacks for the goaltending rule. However, with the confusion of these rules in basketball, the chance of negative pointing increases, and the opponent team gets more points.
Final Words
Goaltending is a fundamental rule that should be occurred very intentionally by the player because one single move can negatively impact the team. It is a violation that very few players can do because of their height and capability to jump higher.
Fortunately, if a player gets a taller and skillful player, they drastically take advantage to accomplish this rule. However, goaltending could be an annoying move if the opponent team has the right skills and powerful players.
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