Goaltender

A goaltender is the player whose primary role is to prevent the opposing team from scoring by guarding the goal. The position exists in several team sports, including ice hockey, field hockey, lacrosse, and water polo. In sports such as soccer or field hockey, the term goalkeeper is more common, but goaltender is used in some contexts and rulebooks.

In ice hockey and field lacrosse, the goaltender must read shots, track developing plays, and move to cover the largest possible portion of the net. They direct the defense, communicate positioning, and clear the puck or ball from danger. They must control rebounds and are often evaluated by team performance and, in ice hockey, statistics such as saves and goals against average.

Equipment and training emphasize protection and mobility. In ice hockey, the goaltender wears a mask, chest protector, leg pads, a catching glove, a blocker, a specialized stick, and skates. Other sports provide sport-appropriate gear. Training emphasizes reflexes, agility, positioning, and technique for saves, as well as rebound control.

Terminology and role vary by sport. The term goaltender is common in ice hockey and lacrosse, while goalkeeper is standard in soccer and field hockey. Across sports, the goaltender is the last line of defense, tasked with preventing goals and initiating plays after successful stops.