Soccer Goalkeeper Rules

In soccer, the goalkeeper holds a very important position on any team. He is the team’s last line of defense, organizes the defense throughout the game and is the only player on the field who is allowed to touch the ball with his hands. The rules relating to goalkeepers are clearly set out in the Laws of the Game endorsed by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

  1. Equipment

    • The basic equipment for a goalkeeper is the same as for any soccer player and consists of a jersey, shorts, stockings, shin guards and footwear. Most goalkeepers also wear gloves, which help them to grip the ball if it is wet or dirty. FIFA’s Laws of the Game specify that the shirt, shorts and stockings worn by a goalkeeper must be a different color from that worn by the rest of his team, by the opposition and by the referee and assistant referees.

    Handling the Ball

    • Although goalkeepers are permitted to touch the ball with their hands, they can only do so in certain situations. The main restriction is that they can only handle the ball within their own penalty area—a rectangular area marked on the field with white lines. Even within this area, he must not handle the ball if it has been kicked to him by a member of his own team, or thrown to him by a member of his own team from a thrown-in.

    Time Limit

    • Goalkeepers are restricted in the period of time they may keep the ball under their control. FIFA defines “under control” as including any time when the ball is in the goalkeeper’s hands or between his hands and his body or the ground. The ball is also said to be under the goalkeeper’s control if it is on his outstretched hand, or if he is bouncing the ball or throwing it in the air. Once a goalkeeper has the ball under his control, he must throw or kick the ball within six seconds. Failure to do so results in an indirect free kick being awarded to the opposition.

    Penalty Kicks

    • Specific rules govern the behavior of the goalkeeper during a penalty kick. Penalties are awarded when a team commits one or more of a number of defined fouls and misconducts within their own penalty area. The role of the defending goalkeeper is to attempt to save the resulting penalty kick. When the kick is being taken, the goalkeeper must remain on his goal line, between the goalposts, facing the player taking the kick. He must not move from the goal line until the ball has been kicked. If the goalkeeper does move, the referee can stop play and ask for the kick to be re-taken.