Basket Interference

Also known as: Cylinder rule, Interference

Hands off once the ball is on the rim. Depending on where you play.

The rule

Nobody may touch the ball while it’s inside the basket, reach up through the net to touch it, or touch the rim or backboard in a way that moves the ball. What changes between rulebooks is whether you may play a ball that’s sitting on or bouncing above the rim.

The penalty

Same as goaltending: a defensive violation counts the basket, an offensive one cancels it.

Around the leagues

• Cylinder rule: NBA, WNBA, NCAA M, NCAA W. Hands off while the ball is on the rim or anywhere in the cylinder straight above it.
• Free once it hits the rim: FIBA, Wheelchair, 3x3. After the ball touches the rim, anyone may play it. Just don’t touch the rim or backboard while the ball is on the rim.

Related: Goaltending

In the Dictionary: Goaltending, Backboard