You will have probably noticed that soccer goalies don’t wear the same uniform as the rest of their teammates, and this is, of course, deliberate.
But it has led many to question – why do soccer goalies wear different colors? – and it’s undoubtedly an important thing to consider.
So, in this article, we explain in detail why soccer goalies wear unique colors and introduce some of the rules surrounding soccer jerseys that will clear things up.
Why do soccer goalies wear different colors?
Soccer goalies wear different colors to identify themselves from the rest of their teammates. This is because there are certain rules that are only applicable to soccer goalies – particularly in the eighteen-yard box – which means the referee needs to be able to clearly identify the goalie. Below, we take a deep dive into the jerseys that soccer goalies are permitted to wear and why they’re always different from their teammates.
What color can soccer goalies wear?
Soccer goalies can wear any color, but it needs to be different from that of their teammates. So, for example, if the outfield players wear red and white jerseys, the goalkeeper could wear a blue jersey.
In some instances, it’s also possible for the goalie to wear a different shade of jersey to their teammates, but it’s best to design a jersey that is completely different from that of the outfield players.
In amateur soccer, if you turn up to the game without a goalie jersey that is easily distinguishable from the other players, the referee will make the goalie wear a bib or another shirt that makes him or her easy to identify.
You also need to make sure that your goalie’s jersey is a different color from the opposition’s kit. This is why most teams have two jerseys for their goalies, and they can choose which to use depending on the team that they’re playing.
Which is the best color for soccer goalies?
A fascinating study from 2013 found that the color of a goalie’s jersey actually influenced the outcome of penalty kicks. It found that players facing red-clad goalkeepers scored fewer penalties than those wearing blue or green. The study concluded that goalies wearing red could give them an advantage.
That being said, further study is needed to verify these findings, but it’s interesting nonetheless! Other people have queried whether fluorescent colors help goalies, but there is yet to be a study showing the impact bright jerseys have in the game.
So, the bottom line is that soccer goalies can wear any color, provided it is different from the rest of the team’s jerseys. But if you’re inspired by the aforementioned study, you could select red for your goalie’s jersey and see if it makes a difference to your success on the field.
Can soccer goalies wear different colored gloves?
Although the rules stipulate that soccer goalies must wear a different colored jersey to their teammates, nothing is written about the color of their gloves. So, while most goalie gloves are predominantly white with colored patterns, you don’t need to worry about them clashing with your teammate’s jerseys.
The same is true for soccer cleats, and you can wear whichever color you like, whether you’re a goalie or an outfield player.
The rules of the game are only associated with the color of jerseys, shorts, and socks and don’t take into consideration goalie gloves or soccer cleat color.
Tip: Looking for awesome goalie gloves? Read our review that looks into the best goalie gloves you can buy!
Why do soccer goalies wear green?
There are a number of reasons why soccer goalies wear green, and it’s largely down to tradition. In the history of soccer, goalkeepers used to wear green ahead of any other color, and the tradition has largely stuck to this day.
However, some people suggest that the choice of green was a result of a psychological analysis of the best colors for goalkeepers to wear. The thinking was that green made a goalkeeper inconspicuous, as their jersey blended with the color of the grass.
Whether this has any impact on the game remains to be seen, but it’s an interesting consideration nonetheless. The key takeaway, however, is that green is just one of a number of colors that are ideal for a goalie’s jersey, so feel free to consider it when you’re designing your team’s uniform for next season.
Recap: The color of a goalie’s jersey
The main thing to remember is that a soccer goalie’s jersey must be a different color from that of his or her teammates. This is to help distinguish the goalie from other players and has been an important part of the game since its inception.
So, when you’re putting together your team’s kit for next season, just make sure the goalie’s jersey is notably different from the outfield players, and you shouldn’t have any problems.