goaltending

/ˈɡoʊlˌtɛndɪŋ/
noun
  1. The act of defending a goal in sports like hockey or soccer, usually by a goaltender.
    • She has been practicing goaltending every day to improve her reflexes.
    • The coach praised the team's goaltending as the best in the league.
    • His goaltending kept the team in the game with several amazing saves.
  2. In basketball, a violation where a player interferes with a shot while it is on its way down toward the basket or while it is over the rim.
    • Her goaltending gave the other team two points.
    • The referee called goaltending when he touched the ball on its way down.
    • Players must be careful not to commit goaltending when trying to block a shot.