For: Goalkeeper CIWS

Overview

Usually special rules apply to the goalkeeper that do not apply to the other players. These rules are often instituted to protect the goalkeeper, being an obvious target for dangerous or even violent actions. In certain sports, such as ice hockey, goalkeepers are required to wear special equipment like heavy pads and a face mask to protect their bodies from the impact of the playing object (e.g. a puck). In association football, goalkeepers usually wear gloves to protect their hands and enhance grip of the ball.

Football (soccer)

Main: Goalkeeper (association football)

The goalkeeper is the only player who may use his or her hands to play the ball in open play (although only within the penalty area). The goalkeeper is required to wear a different coloured kit from all other players, referee and assistant referee to avoid confusion. Goalkeepers often wear gloves to aid in catching the ball.

As the goalkeeper is usually the team's only player who can see the entire field, they often act as an organizer of the team when it is defending.

Notable all-time great goalkeepers include Dino Zoff (Italy), Gordon Banks (England), John Burridge (England), Peter Shilton, Peter Schmeichel (Denmark), Lev Yashin (Russia), Oliver Kahn (Germany), Félix Venerando (Brazil) and Gianluigi Buffon (Italy).

Field hockey

In field hockey, the goalkeeper generally wears extensive protective equipment including helmet, face and neck guards, chest and leg padding, gloves, lower leg guards (known as pads) and shoe covers (known as kickers). Only the helmet is compulsory, as is a shirt of a different color from any of the other players. He or she is also equipped with a stick; either one specified for goalies or one used for normal play. The goalkeeper is allowed to use any part of their body to deflect the ball, although they can't obstruct its play (for example by lying on top of it), and they can only do so within the goal circle (or "D"), and they are not permitted to pass their team's 23 m line, with the exception of goalkeepers who take penalty strokes.

Gaelic football

In Gaelic football, the goalie's main task is to prevent a goal from being scored against his side by directly defending the team's goal. A goal occurs when the ball passes through the goal; the attacking team is awarded 3 points. The goalie is the only player who may handle the ball on the ground, and only inside the small rectangle.

Hurling

In hurling, the goalkeeper's main task is to prevent a goal from being scored against his side by directly defending the team's goal. He also takes "puckouts" after a score or wide ball. A goal occurs when the ball passes through the goal; the attacking team is awarded 3 points. The goalkeeper has no special rules pertaining to him, although he still wears a different color jersey. Most goalkeepers use a special hurley with a wider bas (flat face).