Soccer Goalkeeper Rules

Soccer Goalkeeper Rules

Corner Kick Rules:    • Corner Kick Rules Soccer  
Penalty Kick Rules:    • Soccer Penalty Kick Rules  

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1. A Goalkeeper Must Wear Colors That Are Different from Other Players

If the two goalkeepers on the field are wearing the same color jersey and neither of them has another color jersey to change into, the referee can allow the game to continue.

The Soccer Goalie Rules also allow for a goalkeeper to wear other equipment as long as it isn’t dangerous to them or anyone else.

Things like a baseball cap to prevent the sun from getting in their eyes, but they also allow for a player to wear protective headgear, too.

However, there is no requirement in the goalie soccer rules requiring them to wear gloves.

2. There Must Be One Goalkeeper on the Soccer Field at All Times

Even if the keeper is shown a red card or is injured and has to leave the field, another player must replace them before the game restarts.

The replacement can be a substitute keeper who comes on, or if a team has used up their permitted substitutions,

Then another player who is already on the field must play keeper.

3. A keeper Can Only Use Their Hands Within the Penalty Area

For Goalkeeper Rules Outside the Penalty Box, there are no circumstances where the goalkeeper may pick up the ball.

A keeper is allowed to leave the penalty box in soccer, but outside of this area, the goalkeeper is treated just like any other player.

Also, a goalkeeper who has the ball at their feet outside of the penalty area can dribble the ball back into the box and then pick it up.

The position of the ball is what matters not the position of the goalkeeper.

The ball must be within the penalty area for the goalkeeper to be allowed to touch the ball with their hands or arms.

However, when the ball is outside the penalty area but the goalkeeper is within the penalty area the goalkeeper can’t reach out and handle the ball.

4. A Goalkeeper Can’t Use Their Hands in Every Situation

There are 3 specific circumstances that a goalkeeper is not allowed to handle the ball.

1. When a player on their own team deliberately passes the ball to them with their feet
2. When a player on their own team throws the ball directly to the goalkeeper from a throw-in
3. Before another player has touched the ball after the goalkeeper has released it from their hands

5. A keeper Can Only Hold the Ball for 6 Seconds at One Time

As it is also an offense for another player to challenge the keeper for the ball while the keeper is in control of the ball

A keeper is in control of the ball when:

1. The ball is between the keeper’s hands or the ball is between the keeper’s hand and any surface such as the ground or their own body
2. The keeper is touching the ball with any part of the hands or arms, except when the ball bounces off the keeper or they are making a save
3. The keeper is holding the ball in the outstretched open hand
4. The keeper is bouncing the ball on the ground or throwing it in the air

So, it’s ok for the keeper to move around their penalty area with the ball and they can even bounce or throw the ball in the air as they do

But even with doing all these things, they still only have six second to release the ball.

It also means that a player can’t head or kick the ball out of a keeper’s hands.

It doesn’t matter if the keeper is throwing the ball up, bouncing the ball, or holding the ball firmly between their hands, in all these situations the keeper is still considered to be in control of the ball and can’t be challenged by any other player.

“Can the keeper just drop the ball after 6 seconds and pick it up again?” - No!

If the keeper does pick up the ball again before another player has touched the ball, then an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposing team.

6. A keeper Can’t Score a Goal Against the Other Team With Their Hands or Arms

So even if they had the strength to throw the ball from one end of the field to the other and the ball went into the goal without touching any other player, the goal would not stand.

7. A keeper Must Stay on the Goal Line for a Penalty Kick

Until the ball is kicked the keeper must:

1. Remain on the goal line
2. Face the kicker
3. Stay between the posts
4. Not touching the posts, crossbar, or goal netting

As the ball is kicked, the defending keeper must have at least part of one-foot touching, or if the keeper is jumping, in line with the goal line.

8. A keeper Can Change Places with Another Player During a Game

The only requirement for this is that the referee is informed of the change and that it happens during a stoppage in play.

Basic keeper Rules state that if keeper and another player swap positions without informing the referee or without waiting for a stoppage then they will both receive a caution.