In basketball, a steal occurs when a defensive player legally causes a turnover by his positive, aggressive action.[1][2] This can be done by deflecting and controlling, or by catching the opponents pass or dribble of an offensive player. The defender must not touch the offensive player's hands or otherwise a foul is called.
Steals are not credited if the defensive player merely picks up a loose ball in his vicinity or when an errant pass goes directly to him.[1][2] Steals are credited to the player who gains possession.[1][2] Whenever a steal is recorded for a defensive player, an offensive player must be credited as making a turnover.
Stealing the ball requires good anticipation, speed and fast reflexes, all common traits of a good defender. However, like blocked shots, steals are not always a perfect gauge of a player's defensive abilities. An unsuccessful steal can result in the defender being out of position and unable to recover in time, allowing the offense to score. Therefore, attempting to steal is a gamble. Steals can pay off greatly, because they often trigger a fastbreak for the defensive team.
