In basketball, a block (short for blocked shot) occurs when a defensive player legally deflects a shot from an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called. In order to be legal, the block must occur while the shot is traveling upward. If it is heading downward when the defender hits it, it is ruled as goaltending and counts as a made basket. A goaltend is also called if the block is made after the ball bounces on the backboard (NCAA/NFHS excepted). Nicknames for blocked shots include "rejections," "stuffs," "swats," and "denials." Blocked shots were first officially recorded in the NBA during the 1973-74 season. Largely due to their height and position near the basket, centers and power forwards tend to record the most blocks. A blocked shot is considered to be one of the most exciting plays in basketball. A player with the ability to block shots can be a great asset to a team's defense, as they can make it difficult for opposing players to shoot near the basket and by keeping the ball in play, as opposed to swatting it out of bounds, a blocked shot can lead to a fast break, a skill Bill Russell was notable for. To be a good shot-blocker, a player needs great court sense and timing, and good height or jumping ability. A great shot-blocker can intimidate opponents to alter their shots, resulting in a miss. Some of the best shot-blockers in the NBA have been Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bill Walton, Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Shawn Bradley, Alonzo Mourning, Ben Wallace, Andrei Kirilenko, Marcus Camby, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, and Josh Smith.
Shot blocking records in the NBA
- Most blocks in a single half: Elmore Smith, George Johnson, Manute Bol (11 each)
- Most blocks in a single game: Elmore Smith (17)
- Most blocks in a season: Mark Eaton (456)
- Most blocks per game in a season: Mark Eaton (5.56)
- Most career blocks: Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830)
- Most blocks per game in a career: Mark Eaton (3.50)
