Goaltending is a term used in ice hockey to describe a player's actions when they block the opposition's shots on goal. The correct spelling of the word "goaltending" is "gohltendihng," with the "goal" part pronounced as in "bowl." This is because it is made up of two words: "goal" and "tending." The "t" and "d" sounds in "tending" blend together, resulting in the "dihng" sound. Accurate spelling is essential in sports terminology to prevent misunderstandings and confusion on the ice.
Goaltending refers to a violation in the sport of basketball where a defensive player interferes with a shot attempt by an opposing player while it is in its downward arc towards the basket, thereby blocking or altering the shot's trajectory. This action is considered illegal and results in a goaltending violation.
In goaltending, the defensive player interferes with the shot by either touching the ball as it descends towards the hoop or by making contact with the rim or net. It is important to note that goaltending is only applicable when the shot has a reasonable chance of going through the basket without interference. If the ball is on an upward trajectory or is completely outside the cylinder of the rim, goaltending cannot occur.
When goaltending is committed, the opposing team is awarded two points if the shot would have gone through the basket, or one point if the shot was attempted from beyond the three-point line. Moreover, the offending team loses possession of the ball, as the opposing team is awarded possession through an inbound pass.
Goaltending aims to maintain fair play by preventing defensive players from unduly altering the outcome of an opponent's shot. It allows offensive players a fair opportunity to score, contributing to the integrity and competitiveness of the game.
The word "goaltending" is derived from the noun "goal" and the verb "tend". "Goal" originally comes from the Old English word "gāl", which meant "boundary" or "limit". It later came to refer specifically to the area or object at which a player aims in various games. The word "goal" has been used in the context of sports for centuries.
The verb "tend" originated from the Latin word "tendere", meaning "to stretch" or "extend". In English, "tend" evolved to mean "to pay attention to" or "to guard". When combined with "goal", "tend" implies the action of guarding or protecting the goal in a game.