GOAL TENDING AND BASKETBALL INTERFERENCE It is indeed meaningful for officials, coaches and players to know that there is a distinct difference between “goal tending” and “basket interference”. However, it is more important to know what is legal and what is illegal, so far as touching the ball or basket when either situation occurs. First, we must know the definition of the basket. The basket is the basket ring, the flange, braces and the net. The backboard is not part of the basket. The rule defines “goal tending” as an infraction that takes place when a player touches the ball during a tip, bat or try for field goal while the ball is entirely above the basket on its downward flight, is not in the imaginary cylinder, and has the possibility of entering the basket. Goal tending may also occur during a free throw attempt when an opponent of the free thrower touches the ball while it is outside the imaginary cylinder regardless whether the ball is on its upward or downward flight. Committing goal tending during a free throw is also a technical foul. Basket interference is defined as illegal touching of the ball when it is in the cylinder, on the ring, within the basket, regardless of how the ball got there. Touching the basket when the ball is on or within the basket is always classified as basket interference. It is also basket interference to reach through the basket from below and touch the ball before it enters the cylinder. It is not basket interference to touch the basket while the ball is in the imaginary cylinder above the ring level. Repeating, touching the ring or net while the ball is on the ring or in the basket is basket interference. Things to Remember About Goal Tending and Basketball Interference 1. Both defensive and offensive goal tending or basketball interference can occur. 2. If the ball is on the ring and any player touches the net, a basketball interference violation has occurred, either by the defense or by the offense. 3. It is not goal tending or basket interference when the defense blocks the ball on its’ upward flight and the ball is outside the imaginary cylinder. This could occur even if the ball is above the ring level, as long as it is touched outside the imaginary cylinder and on its’ upward flight. 4. Goal tending of a free throw is always a technical foul and count the basket. 5. If B1 touches the ball on a field goal try by A1 and the ball is on its’ upward flight, the legal touching by B1 does not end the try and the ball remains live. 6. All defensive or offensive goal tending or basket interference violations are always awarded for a throw‐in at the end line. 7. Basket interference of a free‐throw is a violation and may be defensive or offensive. The most important thing about goal tending and basket interference is to GET IT RIGHT. F. Howard Mayo OSAA Basketball State Rules Interpreter .