1. Know Your Boundaries
Goalkeepers are the only player on a soccer field who can use their hands in regular game play. The use of hands is limited to a box, commonly called the 18-yard box, that is 18-yards long and 32-yards wide. Goalkeepers are not confined to this box and can play the ball with their feet, much like a field player, outside of this area.
2. Uniformly Different
Goalkeepers wear jerseys that are different colors than their teammates. A goalkeeper's jersey must also be a different color than the opposing team's uniforms. This ensures that the goalies are always visible, even when several players are crowded into the 6-yard box. Some goalkeepers wear bright or neon colors because they believe the vibrant colors attract the attention of strikers, causing them to inadvertently shoot the ball toward the goalie.
3. Gloves and Other Protection
Like all soccer players, goalkeepers wear shin guards. They also have padding in the forearms, elbows and shoulders of their jerseys to protect them as they dive for balls. Many goalies opt to wear padded pants, while others choose to wear padded shorts, much like bicycle shorts, underneath their uniform shorts. Goalkeepers wear padded gloves that both protect the keeper's hands and improve his or her grip on the ball. Most goalies have several different types of gloves they wear depending on the weather conditions. Gloves often need to be replaced every couple of months. Depending on league rules, some goalkeepers wear a soft-brimmed hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.
4. Keeper in Charge
On most teams, the goalkeeper directs all of the players on the field. A goalkeeper has the distinct advantage of being able to see the entire field at all times. The goalie can see if a player is out of position or areas of the field that are vulnerable to an attack and then make the needed adjustments. When game play is in the 18-yard box, it's imperative that all players listen to the goalkeeper. The goalie should be vocal in directing who is attacking the ball and which opposing players need to be covered.
5. Back in Play
When a goalkeeper gains possession of the ball, he either throws or dropkicks the ball to a teammate. How the ball is put back into play is at the sole discretion of the goalkeeper. Some leagues limit the number of steps a goalie can take after gaining possession of the ball. The opposing team isn't allowed to touch the goalkeeper after he has control of the ball. When the opposing team plays the ball out of bounds through the end line, the ball is put back into play with a goal kick. Anyone on the team can take a goal kick, in which the ball is placed anywhere on the 6-yard line, but the ball is typically played by either the goalkeeper or sweeper.
Goalkeepers are the only player on a soccer field who can use their hands in regular game play. The use of hands is limited to a box, commonly called the 18-yard box, that is 18-yards long and 32-yards wide. Goalkeepers are not confined to this box and can play the ball with their feet, much like a field player, outside of this area.
2. Uniformly Different
Goalkeepers wear jerseys that are different colors than their teammates. A goalkeeper's jersey must also be a different color than the opposing team's uniforms. This ensures that the goalies are always visible, even when several players are crowded into the 6-yard box. Some goalkeepers wear bright or neon colors because they believe the vibrant colors attract the attention of strikers, causing them to inadvertently shoot the ball toward the goalie.
3. Gloves and Other Protection
Like all soccer players, goalkeepers wear shin guards. They also have padding in the forearms, elbows and shoulders of their jerseys to protect them as they dive for balls. Many goalies opt to wear padded pants, while others choose to wear padded shorts, much like bicycle shorts, underneath their uniform shorts. Goalkeepers wear padded gloves that both protect the keeper's hands and improve his or her grip on the ball. Most goalies have several different types of gloves they wear depending on the weather conditions. Gloves often need to be replaced every couple of months. Depending on league rules, some goalkeepers wear a soft-brimmed hat to keep the sun out of their eyes.
4. Keeper in Charge
On most teams, the goalkeeper directs all of the players on the field. A goalkeeper has the distinct advantage of being able to see the entire field at all times. The goalie can see if a player is out of position or areas of the field that are vulnerable to an attack and then make the needed adjustments. When game play is in the 18-yard box, it's imperative that all players listen to the goalkeeper. The goalie should be vocal in directing who is attacking the ball and which opposing players need to be covered.
5. Back in Play
When a goalkeeper gains possession of the ball, he either throws or dropkicks the ball to a teammate. How the ball is put back into play is at the sole discretion of the goalkeeper. Some leagues limit the number of steps a goalie can take after gaining possession of the ball. The opposing team isn't allowed to touch the goalkeeper after he has control of the ball. When the opposing team plays the ball out of bounds through the end line, the ball is put back into play with a goal kick. Anyone on the team can take a goal kick, in which the ball is placed anywhere on the 6-yard line, but the ball is typically played by either the goalkeeper or sweeper.
