A steal is credited when a defender legally takes the ball and causes an opponent's turnover.
interceptions
In plain English
A steal occurs when a defender directly gains possession from the offence, often by reading a pass, pressuring the ball-handler or poking the ball away. It ends the opposition's possession and frequently creates a fast-break opportunity.
Derived terms
STL%
Steal Percentage: an estimate of the share of opposition possessions on which a player or team records a steal.
Why it matters
Steals show a defence's ability to disrupt possessions before a shot is attempted. They can generate easy points, but they need context because an overly aggressive defence may also gamble and concede open shots.
Practical example
A defender anticipates a pass to the wing, cuts into the passing lane and takes the ball before leading a fast break. The play is recorded as a steal.
Related terms
Statistic•Basketball
Turnovers (TOV)
A turnover occurs when the offence loses possession before completing its attack.
