goaltend basketball
Definition
A defensive violation in basketball where a player interferes with the ball on its downward path toward the basket or while it's above the cylinder, often after touching the backboard.
The act of illegally blocking or slapping a shot in basketball during its descent, resulting in a foul and free throws for the offense—named for mimicking a soccer goalie's overreach.
Examples
The defender leaped to goaltend basketball in the paint, but the ref's whistle turned his heroics into two free throws for the other team.
Amateurs love to goaltend basketball during pickup games, pretending they're NBA stars until someone explains the rules.
That viral clip of the kid trying to goaltend basketball went mega because he spiked it straight into his own teammate's face.
Coaches scream 'no goaltend basketball' every practice, yet players still chase blocks like caffeinated squirrels.