While you may not know it by its number, you’ve certainly heard Position 1 players referred to by their job on the pitch between the sticks: Goalkeeper. 

The 11-number format in soccer is designed to give players, the game officials, and spectators an easy way to identify who is on the pitch and what their position is. The first player in numbering order and the last line of defense is the goalie.

Modern Goalkeeping Is a Contact Sport

The goalie is meant to stand out from the other players on the field, often being distinguished by a more colorful goalkeeper jersey that features geometric patterns, wildly diverse color combinations, or even a different cut than their teammates’ jerseys. 

While this was written into the rules of soccer to aid the officials in immediately spotting the player allowed to use their hands within the penalty area, as play has evolved, so has the demand on the players who patrol Position 1 for their teams. 

Increasingly, Goalies are also expected to act as a “sweeper-keeper”, ranging out from the penalty area to help corral or redirect the ball like a traditional sweeper, where they are largely bound by the same play rules as other players before returning to their traditional place as keeper. 

The unique look and design of a goalkeeper’s gear helps their teammates make better decisions about their own play. A wingback might pass the ball to his goalie for redirection when they’re out of the box and unable to use his hands, while a chest pass may be better to allow the goalkeeper to simply catch the ball in his goalie gloves if he’s in the penalty area, breaking up the other team’s momentum and allowing the goalie to put the ball in a more advantageous spot on the field with a throw. 

Anytime the goalie leaves the box, it presents a higher risk for the defenders and a potential scoring opportunity for their opponents, making faster identification and decision-making crucial.

Protecting the Protector

Another difference Position 1 players often enjoy is gear designed for increased protection from bumps and falls on the field. This includes not only the gloves to protect their hands but also longer-sleeved jerseys that protect the skin on their elbows and under their arms as well as goalie shorts or tights that may be longer or have added padding. 

Goalkeepers will be called on to run, kick, catch, drop to their knees, slide, or just stand there and backstop a soccerball rocketing towards their bodies. It’s not a job for the faint of heart, which is why goalkeepers aren’t just number 1 in our books, but on the field as well.

Make sure your Position 1 player is ready for the field with professional-quality football jerseys and equipment from SoccerPro today.