Goal (sport)

In Association Football (soccer), the term goal refers to both the result of a score and the physical structure that defines when a score has occurred. A goal is scored after the game ball passes completely over the goal line, between the goal posts and under the crossbar. Although the goal frame usually has a net attached to it, the net is simply to contain the ball when a goal is scored so that the referee can be certain the goal is legitimate, and the Laws of the Game do not strictly require the use of such a net. The exact definition of a goal is covered by law 10 of the Laws of the Game. A goalkeeper is the player of a team who is set into position to try to block shots into the goal.

The goal rule is similar in Hockey. See: goal (hockey).

In American football, a field goal is achieved when a kicker kicks the ball into the air and it goes between the lines of two posts that are set specially at the end of the playing field for each game. If the ball goes over the set of posts but is still inside the area covered by the posts, it still counts as a field goal. Field goals in American football count for three points.

In Rugby union or Rugby league, a drop goal or penalty goal refers to the same concept.

In Australian rules football, a goal is scored when a player kicks the ball by foot cleanly between the two central posts at one end of the playing field. Although a goal is still scored if the ball bounces first, it must not be touched by hand by either an opponent or a teammate between the kick and the moment it passes over the goal line, nor may it hit a goal post. In this sport each goal is worth six points to the total team score. If the ball is touched or hits a goal post, only one point is scored.

In basketball, a score made when shooting at the basket during the regular run of play, as opposed to a free throw, is sometimes referred to as a field goal.

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