The men’s rule states goaltending occurs when a ball is blocked when it is in a downward flight towards the rim or the ball has been touched while any part of it is in the imaginary cylinder above the rim. The women’s rule is different in that the ball must be entirely above the basket ring level.

According to the NBA Goaltending Rule, it is prohibited for a player to touch the ball or the goal during an attempted field goal. It is possible to goaltend in different ways. When the ball is sitting or rolling on the rim, do not touch it or the rim. Do not hang while the ball is passing through the ring or net.