Goaltending and basket interference
FIBA · 2026When a shot is protected and why touching the ball after the rim has exceptions.
Article 31 — Protected flight
On a field-goal attempt, touching the ball wholly above rim level is goaltending when it is descending toward the basket or after it has hit the backboard, while it still could score. On a free throw, the ball is protected in flight before rim contact.
Article 31 — After the rim
Ordinary field-goal goaltending protection ends when the ball touches the rim. FIBA therefore permits playing a live ball above the basket after rim contact, but interference restrictions still apply. Players cannot touch the basket or backboard while the ball rests on the rim, reach through from below, prevent a ball already inside from passing through, or shake or grasp the basket to alter its path. After a relevant shooting whistle or the period-ending signal, nobody may touch a rim-contacted ball that can still score.
Article 31 — Penalties
Offensive interference cancels the basket and gives the defence a throw-in. Defensive interference awards the shot’s 1-, 2- or 3-point value. Defensive goaltending on a last free throw awards 1 point plus a category 2 technical-foul penalty. A free throw followed by another free throw remains protected while it could enter.
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