Article 31

Goaltending and basket interference

31-1Statement

When the ball is above the ring during a shot for a goal or a free-throw attempt, it is a basket interference violation if a player reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball.

31-2Example

A1 attempts the last free throw.

(a) Before the ball touches the ring,
(b) After the ball has touched the ring and still has the chance to enter the basket, B1 reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball.

Interpretation

In both cases, this is a basket interference violation by B1. A1 shall be awarded 1 point. As the violation has occurred

(a) during A1’s last free throw B1 shall be charged with a category 2 technical foul.
(b) after A1’s last free throw has ended B1 shall not be charged with a technical foul.

31-3Statement

When the ball is above the ring during a pass or after it has touched the ring, it is a basket interference violation if a player reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball.

31-4Example

A1 on the court passes the ball above the ring when B1 reaches through the basket from below and touches the ball.

Interpretation

This is a basket interference violation by B1. A1 shall be awarded 2 or 3 points.

31-5Statement

The ball touches the ring on a last unsuccessful free throw. If the ball is then legally touched by any player before it enters the basket, the free-throw becomes a 2-point goal.

31-6Example

After A1’s last free throw, the ball rebounds from the ring. B1 tries to tap the ball away but the ball enters the basket.

Interpretation

This is a legal play by B1 who taps the ball in the B1’s own basket. The team A captain on the court shall be awarded 2 points.

31-7Statement

After the ball touches the ring

on a goal attempt,
on a last unsuccessful free throw,
after the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter or overtime and the ball still has the chance to enter the basket, a foul is called. It is a violation if any player then touches the ball.

31-8Example

After A1’s last free throw, the ball rebounds from the ring. During the rebound, B2 fouls A2. This is the third team B foul in the quarter. The ball still has the chance to enter the basket and is touched by

(a) A3.
(b) B3.

Interpretation

In both cases, this is a basket interference violation by A3 or B3.

(a) No point shall be awarded. Both throw-in penalties shall cancel each other. The game shall be resumed with an alternating possession throw-in from behind the endline nearest to where the foul occurred, except from directly behind the backboard.
(b) A1 shall be awarded 1 point. As a result of B2’s foul, the game shall be resumed with a team A throw-in from behind team B’s endline nearest to where the foul occurred, except from directly behind the backboard.

31-9Example

After A1’s last free throw, the ball rebounds from the ring. During the rebound, B2 fouls A2. This is the fifth team B foul in the quarter. The ball still has the chance to enter the basket and is touched by

(a) A3.
(b) B3.

Interpretation

In both cases, this is a basket interference violation by A3 or B3.

(a) No point shall be awarded.
(b) A1 shall be awarded 1 point. In both cases, as a result of B2’s foul, A2 shall attempt 2 free throws. The game shall continue as after any last free throw.

31-10Example

After A1’s last free throw, the ball rebounds from the ring. During the rebound, A2 fouls B2. This is the fifth team A foul in the quarter. The ball still has the chance to enter the basket and is touched by

(a) A3.
(b) B3.

Interpretation

In both cases, this is a basket interference violation by A3 or B3.

(a) No point shall be awarded.
(b) A1 shall be awarded 1 point. In both cases, as a result of A2’s foul, B2 shall attempt 2 free throws. The game shall continue as after any last free throw.

31-11Example

After A1’s last free throw, the ball rebounds from the ring. During the rebound, a double foul between B2 and A2 occurs. The ball still has the chance to enter the basket and is touched by

(a) A3.
(b) B3.

Interpretation

In both cases, this is a basket interference violation by A3 or B3. The foul shall be entered on the scoresheet against each offender.

(a) No point shall be awarded. The game shall be resumed with an alternating possession throw-in from behind the endline nearest to where the double foul occurred, except from directly behind the backboard.
(b) A1 shall be awarded 1 point. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from any place behind its endline as after any successful last free throw.

31-12Example

A1 attempts a shot for a goal. The ball rebounds from the ring and still has the chance to enter the basket when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the third quarter. The ball is then touched by

(a) A2. The ball enters the basket.
(b) B2. The ball enters the basket.
(c) A2. The ball does not enter the basket.
(d) B2. The ball does not enter the basket.

Interpretation

In all cases, this is a basket interference violation by A2 or B2. After the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter, no player shall touch the ball after it touches the ring and still has a chance to enter the basket.

(a) A1’s goal shall not count.
(b) A1’s goal shall count for 2 or 3 points.
(c) The quarter has ended.
(d) A1’s goal shall count for 2 or 3 points. In all cases, the third quarter has ended. The game shall be resumed with an alternating possession throw-in from the centre line extended.

31-13Statement

If during a shot for a goal a player touches the ball on its flight to the basket, all restrictions related to goaltending and basket interference shall apply.

31-14Example

A1 attempts a shot for a 2-point goal. The ball on its upward flight is touched by A2 or B2. On its downward flight to the basket the ball is touched by

(a) A3.
(b) B3.

Interpretation

This is a legal play when A2 or B2 touch the ball on its upward flight. It is a goaltending violation when A3 or B3 touch the ball on its downward flight.

(a) Team B shall be awarded a throw-in from the free-throw line extended.
(b) A1 shall be awarded 2 points.

31-15Example

The ball is in the air on A1‘s shot for a goal when B1 fouls A1. Then B2 legally touches the ball on its upward flight. The ball enters the basket.

Interpretation

The goal shall not count. After a referee blows the whistle, with B2’s touch the ball becomes dead immediately.

31-16Example

A1 attempts a shot for a goal. The ball is touched by A2 or B2 at its highest point, above the level of the ring.

Interpretation

This is a legal play by A2 or B2. The ball is illegally touched only after it has reached its highest point and started its downward flight.

31-17Statement

It is a basket interference violation when a player causes the basket to vibrate or grasps the basket (ring and/or net) in such a way that it causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce or to change direction, thus the ball is prevented from entering the basket or is caused to enter the basket.

31-18Example

A1 attempts a shot for a 3-point goal close to the end of the game. The ball is in the air when the game clock signal sounds for the end of the game. After the signal:

(a) B1 causes the basket to vibrate in such a way that it causes the ball to take an unnatural bounce or to change direction, thus the ball is prevented from entering the basket.
(b) A2 causes the basket to vibrate in such a way that it causes the ball to change direction, thus the ball is caused to enter the basket.

Interpretation

Even after the game clock signal sounds for the end of the game, the ball remains live. This is a basket interference violation by

(a) B1. A1 shall be awarded 3 points.
(b) A2. A1’s goal shall not count.

31-19Statement

It is a basket interference violation if a defensive or offensive player, during a shot for a goal, touches the basket (ring or net) or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring and still has a chance to enter the basket.

Diagram 3Ball is in contact with the ring

31-20Example

After A1’s shot for a goal, the ball rebounds from the ring and then lands on the ring. B1 touches the basket or backboard while the ball is on the ring.

Interpretation

This is a basket interference violation by B1. The basket interference restrictions apply when the ball has still the chance to enter the basket.

31-21Example

A1’s shot for a goal is on its downward flight and completely above the level of the ring when the ball is simultaneously touched by A2 and B2. The ball then

(a) enters the basket.
(b) does not enter the basket.

Interpretation

This is a goaltending violation by A2 and B2. In both cases, no points shall be awarded. The game shall be resumed with an alternating possession throwin.

31-22Statement

It is a basket interference violation when a player grasps the basket (ring or net) to play the ball.

31-23Example

A1 attempts a shot for a goal. The ball rebounds from the ring when

(a) A2 grasps the ring and taps the ball into the basket.
(b) A2 grasps the ring when the ball has the chance to enter the basket. The ball enters the basket.
(c) B2 grasps the ring and taps the ball away from the basket.
(d) B2 grasps the ring when the ball has still the chance to enter the basket. The ball does not enter the basket.

Interpretation

In all cases, this is a basket interference violation by A2 or B2.

(a) and (b) No points shall be awarded. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from the free-throw line extended.
(c) and (d) A1 shall be awarded 2 or 3 points. The game shall be resumed with a team B throw-in from behind its endline as after any successful goal.

31-24Statement

It is a basket interference violation if a defensive player touches the ball while the ball is within the basket.

Diagram 4Ball is within the basket

31-25Example

A1 attempts a shot for a 2-point goal. The ball turns around the ring with its slightest part within the basket when

(a) B1 touches the ball.
(b) A2 touches the ball.

Interpretation

The ball is within the basket when the slightest part of the ball is within and below the level of the ring.

(a) This is a basket interference violation by B1. A1 shall be awarded 2 points.
(b) This is a legal play by A2. An offensive player may touch the ball.

31-26Example

A1 attempts a shot for a 2-point goal. The game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter while the ball turns around the ring with its slightest part within the basket. After the game clock sounds

(a) A2
(b) B2 touches the ball.

Interpretation

This is a basket interference violation by

(a) A2. The goal, if made, shall not count.
(b) B2. A1 shall be awarded 2 points. After the game clock signal sounds for the end of the quarter the ball becomes dead immediately when it is touched by a player from either team.

31-27Example

A1 attempts a last free throw. The ball rebounds from the ring, touches the backboard and then turns around the ring with its slightest part within the basket. Then

(a) B2
(b) A2 touches the ball while still on the ring.

Interpretation

(a) This is a basket interference violation by B2.
(b) This is a legal play by A2. In both cases, A1 shall be awarded 1 point.