What is Goalkeeper?
[[File:Joe Hart Euro 2012 vs Italy 01.jpg |thumb|[[Joe Hart]] in goal for England vs Italy, European Championship 2012]] A '''goalkeeper''' is someone who protects a team's goal. There are goalkeepers in [[sport]]s like [[Football (soccer)|football]] ([[soccer]]) and [[ice hockey]], for example. The goalkeeper's mission is to prevent the opposing team from [[score|scoring]] a goal. Goalkeepers normally wear more protective gear than other players on the team but this is not always true. ==Football == A goalkeeper's kit (or ''uniform'') consists of [[shin]] guards and gloves to protect his hands from the impact of the ball when he catches it. Historically, however, until the 1960s goalkeepers would wear no hand protection. Until the early 20th century, the goalkeeper would often wear the same coloured strip as his teammates, with the only different item of clothing being his [[hat|cap]]. However, in 1909, the [[Scottish Football Association]] took steps to ensure the goalkeeper would wear a different colour from the outfield players. This was to show his different role, as the only player allowed to handle the ball. ==Ice hockey== [[File:Terry Dunbar.jpg|thumb|[[Ice hockey]] goalie]] The goalkeeper in ice hockey (a ''Goalie'') uses thicker padding than the other players on the team. This is to prevent damage caused by being hit by the [[puck (sports)|puck]]. The [[hockey stick]] of the goalie is much wider than the stick of other players. The bottom edge is also longer and flatter. The goalie has a very large [[leather]] [[glove]] on one hand. This glove has a large area to help catch the puck. Goalies normally wear [[mask]]s that give protection to the entire [[face]] and [[head]] as well as the neck. ==Field hockey== [[File:Keep.jpg|thumb|Goal keeper with players stick]] In [[field hockey]], the goalkeeper stands in the goal net, and stops the other team scoring. Goalkeepers need a lot of kit to protect them from the hockey balls that are hit at them. here is a list: * Helmet - Protects the head and face