Basketball · Official Basketball Rules

Law 31: Goaltending and Basket Interference

2 parts · 3 tests · 30 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

When a shot starts and ends, goaltending on field goals and free throws, the six kinds of basket interference and the points or throw-in that follow.

31.311Goaltending

The life of a shot and when it may not be touched.

A shot starts when the ball leaves the hand or hands of a player in the act of shooting.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.1.1 · recall
A shot ends when the ball touches the ring, touches the floor, goes in, has no chance of going in or becomes dead.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.1.1 · recall
Above the ring, the ball may not be touched on its downward flight or after it has touched the backboard.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1 · recall
Goaltending needs the ball on its downward flight or after the backboard; a rising ball may be blocked.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1 · applied
The lay-up had already hit the board, so touching it above the ring is a violation by the defender.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1 · applied
On a free throw, touching the ball in flight before it touches the ring is goaltending.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.2 · recall
The goaltending restrictions apply until the ball has no possibility to enter the basket or has touched the ring.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.3 · applied
Touching the ball on its way down, above the ring, gives the shooter his points.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1, 31.3.2 · applied
The shot ends at the first of these: here the ring.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.1.1 · applied
Above the ring and on the way down is goaltending; on the way up, after the ring or with no chance it is not.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1, 31.2.3 · applied

Touching the basket and the ball near it, and what each side is given.

Touching the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring is basket interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · applied
Reaching through the basket from below and touching the ball is basket interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · recall
With the ball within the basket, a defender may not touch it or the basket and keep it from passing through.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · recall
Grasping the basket or making it vibrate so that the ball bounces unnaturally is basket interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · applied
With another free throw to follow, touching the ball, basket or backboard while the ball can still go in is interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · applied
After the end signal, no player may touch the ball after it has touched the ring while it can still go in.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.5 · applied
With a whistle during the act of shooting or a shot in flight, all goaltending and interference restrictions apply.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.5 · applied
Grasping the ring while the ball rests on it is one of the six kinds of interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · applied
A rising touch and a tap after the ring are both legal.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.1, 31.2.3 · applied
A ball that has bounced away with no chance of going in may be played; the other three are interference.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.2.4 · applied

When an attacker commits the violation, no points can be awarded and possession passes to the opponents.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.1 · recall
A defensive violation awards the points the shot was worth: 2 from the 2-point area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · recall
Beyond the arc means a 3-point try, so 3 are awarded.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · recall
A defensive violation on a free throw awards 1 point.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · applied
On a last free throw, 1 point is awarded and a category 2 technical foul penalty is charged against the defender.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.3 · recall
The awarding of points is treated as if the ball had entered the basket.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · recall
The throw-in after an offensive goaltending or interference is taken at the free-throw line extended.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.1 · recall
The points awarded are the shot's value, as if it had gone in.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · applied
1, 2 or 3 points, by where the shot was released.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2, 31.3.3 · recall
A defender's goaltending awards the shot's value, here 3 from the 3-point area.
Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 31.3.2 · applied

FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 31 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)