Can Goalies Score in Soccer? 

Yes, goalies can score a goal for them team!

While goalkeepers are responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring, they can score goals like any other player on the field.

While it is rare, sometimes a goalie will join the attack if a team desperately needs a goal.

For example, if a team is down by 1 and needs a goal to tie it up in the final minutes, the team may decide to pull their goalie on a corner kick.

As we know, soccer games can end in a tie but in tournaments or playoffs, one goal could mean elimination.

In this article, I’ll go over the rules and strategies surrounding goalies from scoring as well as the best moments for keepers.

Can Youth Goalies Score Goals?

At the youth level, some leagues may have rules around this that prevent goalies from kicking it from one end to the other on a smaller field.

When my son was U-8, they weren’t allowed to drop kick it past half field. This keeps the game more organized and requires soccer skills to get up the field.

Can a Goalie Score on a Penalty Kick?

Yes, a goalkeeper can take a penalty kick in soccer.

It is rare for a goalkeeper to take a penalty kick as they are usually not considered to be the best players to take such a shot.

In most cases, teams will choose their best penalty takers, who are usually forwards or midfielders, to take the penalty kick.

However, in some cases, if a team has used all of their substitutions and their goalkeeper is the best option left, they may need the goalkeeper to take the penalty kick. Again, this is super rare!

Can a Keeper Score on Corner Kicks and Free Kicks?

During a corner kick or free kick, the goalkeeper can go up for the ball and attempt to score with a header or take a shot on the net.

This is a risky move as it leaves the goal wide open to counterattacks, but it can also be a game-changer if the goalkeeper manages to score.

Situational soccer is in play here. It may be a good idea if a U-12 team is down by one goal, has a goalie who is 6 feet and there are only 30 seconds left. Otherwise, an extra player in the box may do more harm than good.

Final Thoughts

While soccer goalies are primarily tasked with preventing the opposing team from scoring, they are also allowed to score goals themselves.

According to Law 16 of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), a goalie can score a goal directly from a goal kick.

I’ve been coaching and watching youth soccer for the past decade and I’ve only seen a goalie score on two occasions. The first one was off a corner kick at the end of regulation. The second was a penalty shootout in a Father’s Day tournament.

On both occasions, I had to give kudos to the keeper. It’s fun seeing the position get some accolades.

Overall, while scoring goals is not the primary responsibility of a soccer goalie, they are certainly capable of doing so!