The 2007 rulebook has seen major changes regarding goalkeepers. A
fully equipped goalkeeper must wear a helmet, leg guards and kickers.
Usually the field hockey goalkeepers must wear extensive additional
protective equipment including chest guards, padded shorts, heavily
padded hand protectors, groin protectors, neck guards, arm guards, and
like all players, they must carry a stick. A goalie may not cross the
23 m line, the sole exception to this being if the goalkeeper is to take
a penalty stroke at the other end of the field, when the clock is
stopped. The goalkeeper can also remove their helmet for this action.
However, if the goalkeeper elects to wear only a helmet (and a different
colored shirt), they may cross the 23 m line if they have removed their
helmet (and placed it safely off the field of play). If play returns to
the circle without them having opportunity to replace the helmet, this
player still has "goalkeeping privileges", that is, they are not limited
to using their stick to play the ball whilst it is in the circle, and
the helmet must be worn whilst defending penalty corners and penalty
strokes but the best thing to do would be to wear it at all times. While
goaltenders are allowed to use their feet and hands to clear the ball,
they too are only allowed to use one side of their stick. Slide tackling
is permitted as long as it is with the intention of clearing the ball,
not aimed at a player. It is now also even possible for teams to have a
full eleven outfield players and no goalkeeper at all. No player may
wear a helmet or other goalkeeping equipment, neither will any player be
able to play the ball with any other part of the body than with their
stick. This may be used to offer a tactical advantage, or to allow for
play to commence if no goalkeeper or kit is available.
