What does goaltending mean?
Goaltending is a basketball violation in which a player illegally interferes with a basket while the ball is descending toward it or already within it. Touching the ball, rim, net, or backboard during this situation may cause the shot to be disallowed, with possession awarded to the opposing team. The violation can occur when a defender tries to block a shot near the basket or when an offensive player interferes with an opponent's attempt to score. Goaltending is especially associated with the positions of center and power forward, whose size and reach often place them close to the rim. Referees signal the violation with a raised fist and commonly use the expression “goaltending” when announcing the call. The term is also used more broadly for the relevant rule violation and, occasionally, for the act of tending or interfering with the basket itself.
nounIn basketball, goaltending is illegal interference with a basket by touching the ball, rim, net, or backboard while the ball is descending toward or within the basket. The violation can result in the basket being disallowed and possession being awarded to the opposing team.
- The basketball violation committed by illegally interfering with the ball or basket while a shot is descending toward or within the basket.
"The shot was blocked cleanly, but the defender was whistled for goaltending."
"The center was called for goaltending after touching the rim during the rebound."
"Goaltending is assessed when a defender makes contact with the ball while it is directly above the basket."
The plural is grammatically possible but uncommon in ordinary sports reporting; calls are more often described individually or summarized in the singular.
"The report documented two goaltendings during the fourth quarter."
In basketball, one fingertip can erase a made basket.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of goaltending
Goaltending is a modern English compound formed from “goal” and “tending,” the gerund of “tend.” The components have separate histories: “goal” has Germanic ancestry, while “tend” comes through French from Latin tendere, meaning “to stretch” or “extend.” The compound arose in basketball vocabulary and became the formal name for illegal interference with a basket.
Related word forms
How goaltending is actually used
The term belongs primarily to basketball terminology and is most strongly associated with North American English, although it is also used in British and other basketball contexts. It is usually a count noun and has a technical, officiating-related register.
Easily confused with goaltending
Goaltending is an illegal basketball play, whereas a goaltender is the player who guards the goal in ice hockey or field hockey.