goaltending

Goaltending refers to the act or position of guarding the goal in various team sports. In many sports, the term describes a specialized player whose primary objective is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. In basketball, however, goaltending also denotes a rule violation that applies when a defensive player touches the ball on its downward flight toward the basket or while it is on or above the rim, resulting in scores for the offense.

Ice hockey: The goaltender, or goalie, is the last line of defense and often wears heavy protective equipment. They aim to stop shots with a combination of reflexes, positioning, and technique using pads, a catching glove, a blocker, a stick, and a mask. Modern goaltending emphasizes crease control, rebound management, and puck handling. Goalkeeping statistics include save percentage and goals-against average.

Soccer: The goalkeeper is the only player allowed to handle the ball with hands within the penalty area. They organize the defense, initiate plays, and require strong shot-stopping ability, anticipation, and distribution. Trends include ball-playing keepers who can play out from the back, supported by specialized training and coaching.

Other sports: Field hockey, lacrosse, and water polo maintain dedicated goaltenders who wear sport-specific protective equipment and follow sport-specific rules regarding contact, positioning, and ball handling.

Basketball goaltending: In basketball, goaltending is a rule violation that occurs when a defender touches the ball on its downward flight toward the basket or while it is on or above the rim, preventing a potential score. If called, the official awards the points that would have been scored on the play.