Soccer is played using your feet to kick, control and pass the ball to your teammates. You can use much of the rest of their body to control the ball, but only if you're a goalkeeper can you use your hands and arms to stop, catch or throw the ball during a match. Goalies also wear different equipment from their teammates, including gloves, hats, padded shorts and long-sleeve jerseys.
Goalkeeper
The Federation of International Football state in "The Laws of the Game" that a soccer match "is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eleven players, one of whom is the goalkeeper." This is the only position on the field that is officially required by the world governing body. The essential skills required to be a successful goalie are agility, bravery, hand-eye coordination, speed and accurate distribution of the ball with both hands and feet.
Gloves
Goalkeeping gloves were initially introduced to protect your hands. As sports design technology has developed, goalkeeping gloves now improve your grip on the ball, comfort, support for your wrist and cushioned protection for each finger. The cost can vary from $10 to over $100, depending on the quality or supplier. If you're buying your first pair of gloves, the biggest consideration is durability, because good grip can mean less durability, so you may need to buy new gloves fairly often.
Soccer Boots
Players can choose from a range of different soccer boots depending on the type of field they usually play on. AstroTurf requires rubber, molded boots, while a soft, muddy, grass field requires screw-in studs. BBC Sport recommends that you focus on comfort and practicality, not style. All players, including the goalkeeper, wear the same kind of soccer boots.
Goalkeeping Jersey and Shorts
The goalkeeper "must wear colors that distinguish him from the other players, the referee and the assistant referees," states Law 4 of the "Laws of the Game," produced by Fédération Internationale de Football Association, soccer's international governing body. Most professional goalkeepers choose to wear a long-sleeved jersey. Shorts are often padded in the hip and thigh areas to provide some protection for when goalkeeper dives when trying to save the ball.
Shin Guards
All players wear shin guards when playing competitive soccer, even those in grade school. According to Law 4, you are not allowed to play soccer unless you wear shin guards. A referee checks at the beginning of every game to make sure every player is wearing shin guards. Protection is the main consideration, although BBC Sport advise players not to buy shin guards that restrict movement.
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