When is it illegal to touch a shot on its way to the basket?
A · Advanced · Violations and fouls · 3 of 6When the ball is on its way down towards the basket and wholly above the ring, or after it has touched the backboard. That is goaltending. If a defender does it, the attackers are given the points as if the shot had gone in. If an attacker does it, no points count and the other team gets a check-ball.
How it works
- Goaltending on a shot: touching the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and either falling towards the basket or after it has touched the backboard.
- Until when: the limits apply until the ball can no longer go in or has touched the ring.
- Goaltending on a free throw: touching the ball on its way to the basket before it touches the ring.
- Interference: touching the basket or the backboard while the ball is on the ring; reaching up through the basket from below to touch the ball; a defender touching the ball or the basket while the ball is inside it; shaking or hanging on the basket so that it affects the shot.
- By a defender: 1 point for a shot from inside the arc or a free throw, 2 for a shot from behind the arc.
- By an attacker: no points. Check-ball to the other team.
- On a last free throw by a defender: 1 point is awarded and the defender is also charged with a technical foul.
The glossary has goaltending and interference and field goal value.
Tricky cases
Can a defender block a shot that is still rising?
Yes. Goaltending applies only once the ball is falling towards the basket, or after it has touched the backboard.
The ball is bouncing on the ring. Can a player tip it in?
Yes, the ball may be played once it has touched the ring. A player may not touch the basket or the backboard while the ball is on the ring.
A defender slaps the backboard and the shot misses. Is that interference?
It depends on the referee's judgement. Shaking the basket or backboard so that, in the referee's view, it affected the shot is interference.
Can goaltending be checked on video?
Yes, where a replay system is in use. The referees may review whether a goaltending call was right.
Why the rule exists
A shot that is already coming down is going in or it is not, and a tall defender should not be able to pluck it off the ring. The points are awarded because that is what the shooter was about to earn.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIBA 3x3 rules | 1 or 2 points awarded | Art. 31.3.2 |
| Last free throw | A technical foul on the defender as well | Art. 31.3.3; Art. 36.2.1 |
| Five-a-side basketball | The same idea, with 2 or 3 points | ../5x5/ set |
From the rule book
FIBA, Official 3x3 Basketball Rules 2026 (valid as of 1 January 2026), Articles 31.1 to 31.3 and 47.5. Official document:FIBA Official 3x3 Basketball Rules (PDF).