Goalkeeper
The defensive player whose main job is to guard the goal and stop the ball from crossing the goal line.
Definition
A goalkeeper is the player positioned in front of, or inside, the goal with the specific task of preventing the opposing team from scoring. In sports such as football, futsal, field hockey and handball, the goalkeeper is usually the only player allowed to handle the ball within a marked area around the goal, and they often wear a different-coloured shirt to be clearly identified.
Goalkeepers rely on quick reactions, positioning and communication, directing team-mates in front of them and organising the defence. Beyond making saves, they typically restart play with throws, kicks or passes and are often the last line of defence when an attacker breaks through.
Where you’ll hear “goalkeeper”
Sports that use this term:
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Futsal
A fast, small-sided indoor form of football played on a hard court with a low-bounce ball.
Field Hockey
An outdoor team sport that uses curved sticks to move a ball, built on agility and teamwork.
Handball
A fast indoor team sport of passing, jumping and throwing to score with the hands.
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Positions
- GoalkeeperThe goalkeeper is the last line of defence in football and the only player allowed to handle the ball inside their own penalty area.
- Shooting guardThe shooting guard is a perimeter player whose main role is to score, especially from mid-range and beyond the three-point line.
- Centre-backA centre-back is a central defender in football whose main job is to stop opposing attackers and clear the ball from dangerous areas.
- StrikerA striker is the main attacking player in football, positioned furthest forward with the primary job of scoring goals.
- Defensive midfielderA defensive midfielder sits in front of the defence, breaking up opposition attacks and shielding the back line.
Facilities
Player roles
- Last line of defenceThe final barrier between an attack and a score — the goalkeeper, sweeper or last-ditch defender whose job is to stop what the rest of the team has let through.
- FinisherA finisher is the attacking outlet in a team sport whose main job is converting chances into points — the striker, goal shooter or go-to scorer.
- SweeperA covering defender who plays behind the main defensive line, free of a fixed marking job, to read danger and clean up attacks that slip past teammates.
- PlaymakerThe playmaker is a team's creative hub — the player who orchestrates attacks, controls the tempo and distributes the ball so teammates can score.
Tactics
- Wing playAttacking down the flanks and crossing the ball into the box to stretch the defence and create chances.
- Offside trapA defensive football tactic where the back line steps up together to leave an attacker offside.
- Zone defenceA defensive system where each player guards an area of the court rather than a specific opponent.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
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- Content type
- Term
- Provenance
- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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