goalkeeper
Also known as football goalkeeper, soccer goalkeeper, GK, goalie, goal keeper, keeper
position in association football
AI overview
A goalkeeper is the player on a soccer team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent the other team from scoring by blocking or catching the ball. This position is crucial because the goalkeeper is the last line of defense and their performance can determine whether a team wins or loses a match.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Wikidata facts
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- Tyler Deric, Houston Dynamo Goalkeeper, Mar 2015.jpg
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Article
Former Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas, the first goalkeeper ever to keep one hundred international clean sheets (UEFA Euro 2012) The goalkeeper (sometimes written as goal-keeper) is a position in association football. It is the most specialised position in the sport. The goalkeeper's main role is to stop the opposing team from scoring a "goal" (i.e. putting the ball over the goal line). This is accomplished by the goalkeeper moving into the trajectory of the ball to either catch it or re-direct it away from the vicinity of the goal. Within the penalty area, goalkeepers are allowed to use their hands, giving them (outside throw-ins) the sole rights on the field to handle the ball. The goalkeeper is indicated by wearing a different coloured kit from their teammates and opposition.
The back-pass rule is a rule that disallows handling passes back to keepers from teammates in most cases. Goalkeepers usually perform goal kicks and also give commands to their defense during corner kicks, direct and indirect free kicks, and marking. Goalkeepers play an important role in directing onfield strategy as they have an unrestricted view of the entire pitch, giving them a unique perspective on play development.