In basketball, goaltending is the violation of interfering with the ball or the basket on the ball's downward flight to the basket or while it is on the ring (or, in the NBA, while it is directly above the basket). Goaltending occurs when a defensive player tries to block a shot too late (when the ball is already past the top of its arc or has already bounced on the backboard), or when a player tries to rebound too early (when the ball still has a chance to go in). If a defensive player goaltends (defensive goaltending), the attempted shot is considered a successful shot. If an offensive player goaltends (offensive goaltending), the basket is cancelled and the team loses possession. Sara Giauro shoots a three-point shot, FIBA Europe Cup for Women Finals 2005. ... The National Basketball Association of the United States and Canada, commonly known as the NBA, is the premier professional basketball league in North America. ... The player in blue and white is in position to block the shot. ... A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. ...

The main purpose of the defensive goaltending rule is to prevent defensive players from simply keeping a hand between the ball and the basket at all times, which would make scoring impossible. The offensive goaltending rule prevents the offensive player from taking advantage of the defensive goaltending rule.

In Ice Hockey, goaltending is the act of preventing pucks from entering the net, perfected by Sandy Galuppo.