The structure of a goal varies from sport to sport. Most often, it is a rectangular structure that is placed at each end of the playing field. Each structure usually consists of two vertical posts, called
goal posts (side bar or uprights) supporting a horizontal
crossbar. A
goal line marked on the playing surface between the goal posts demarcates the goal area. In some games, such as
association football or
hockey, the object is to pass the ball between the posts below the crossbar, while in others, such as those based on
rugby, the ball must pass over the crossbar instead. In
Gaelic football and
hurling, in which the goalposts are similar to those used in rugby, the ball can be kicked either under the crossbar for a goal, or over the crossbar between the posts for a point. In
Australian rules football, there is no crossbar but four uprights instead. In
basketball,
netball or
korfball, goals are ring-shaped. The structure is often accompanied with an auxiliary net, which stops or slows down the ball when a goal is scored. In
netball, a single post at each end of the court supports a horizontal hoop that the ball must fall through. In
basketball, the hoop and net used for scoring can be supported on a post or mechanism at each end, or on structures attached directly to the wall. == Goal sports ==
Goal-only sports The goal is the only method of scoring in several games. In each of these cases, the winner is the team that scores the most goals within the specified time.
Association football In
association football, the goal is the only method of scoring. It is also used to refer to the scoring structure. An attempt on goal is referred to as a "shot" or "shot on goal". To score a goal, the ball must pass completely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar and no rules may be violated on the play (such as touching the ball with the hand or arm). See also
offside. The goal structure is defined as a frame 24 feet (7.32 m) wide by 8 feet (2.44 m) tall. In most organized levels of play a net is attached behind the goal frame to catch the ball and indicate that a goal has been scored; but the
Laws of the Game do not mandate the use of a net and only require that any net used not interfere with the goalkeeper. In
Beach soccer the goal is defined as a frame 5.50 m wide by 2.20 m tall. In
Futsal the goal is defined as a frame 3 m wide by 2 m tall.
Hockey Bandy prepare to defend their goal against a
Canadian corner-stroke at the 2012 Bandy World Championship. The goal-keeper has a different colour on his jersey, here grey. In
bandy, which has much of its structure from
association football, the only way of scoring is to make a goal and the goal is also used to refer to the scoring structure. If neither of the teams has scored during a match, or if both teams have made the same number of goals, there is a draw unless it is a playoff game, which is then determed by overtime and eventually also a penalty shootout. If not otherwise decided in the Bandy Playing Rules set up by the
Federation of International Bandy, an approved goal is made when the ball is played in a regular manner and the whole ball has passed the inner definition of the goal line between the two goal posts and the cross-bar. This is stated in section 9 of the Rules. A goal can be made directly from a stroke-off, penalty-shot, a free-stroke, a face-off or a corner stroke. Centered at each short-line of the
bandy field is a wide and high goal cage, regulated to size, form, material and other properties in section 1.4 of the Bandy Playing Rules. The cage has a net to stop the ball when it has crossed the goal-line. The cage shall be of an approved model. In front of the goal cage is a half-circular penalty area with a radius. A penalty spot is located in front of the goal and there are two free-stroke spots at the penalty area line, each surrounded by a circle.
Field Hockey The goal structure in
field hockey is wide by tall. Like association football, a goal is scored when the ball passes completely over the goal line under the crossbar and between the goal posts. Nets are required to hold the ball in.
Ice Hockey In
ice hockey, the puck must be put completely over the goal line between the posts and under the bar either off an offensive player's stick or off any part of a defensive player's body. The puck may not be kicked, batted, or thrown into the goal, though a goal may be awarded if the puck is inadvertently deflected off an offensive player's skate or body into the goal. The goal structure is a frame tall and wide with a net attached. In most higher levels of play the goal structure is attached to the ice surface by flexible pegs and will break away for safety when hit by a player. The goal is placed within the playing surface, and players may play the puck behind the goal. Various statistics exist for measuring goals from goals on power-play to short-handed goals to game-winning goals (for go-ahead goals that determined the outcome).
Alexander Ovechkin leads the NHL in all-time game-winning goals with 141.
Handball A goal in
handball is scored when the ball is thrown completely over the goal line, below the crossbar and between the goal posts. The goal structure in team handball is 2 metres high and 3 metres wide. A net is required to catch the ball.
Netball In
netball, a goal is scored when the ball is shot through a goal ring on a pole.
Polo In
polo, a goal is scored if the ball passes completely between the goal posts, regardless of how far off the ground the ball is. The ball must be between the goal posts or the imaginary lines extending above the inside edges of the posts. A ball passing directly over a goal post does not score a goal. The goal structure in Polo consists of two poles, at least high and exactly 8 yards apart. There is no crossbar and no net is required. The height at which a goal may be scored is infinite. in competitive play but are common depending on the resources of a club.
Shinty In
shinty, a goal is scored if the ball goes over the goal line and under the crossbar. A goal can only be scored with a stick called a "caman"; no goal is scored if the ball is kicked, carried, or propelled by an attacking player's hand or arm.
Treibball In
Treibball, a point is scored when a dog knocks a ball (referred to as a rolling sheep) into the goal. Rolling sheep must be knocked into the goal in a particular order within the seven minute time limit.
Water polo A goal in
water polo is scored when the ball passes completely across the goal line, under the crossbar and between the goal posts. A goal may be scored through contact with any part of the attacker's body except a clenched fist. The goal structure in water polo is dependent upon the depth of the water. The goal mouth measures 3 metres across and is either 0.9 metres above the surface of the water or 2.4 metres above the floor of the pool, whichever is higher. Nets are required. The goal structure consists of two posts at least 6 metres in height and spaced 6.4 metres apart. There is no crossbar and no net. A basket scored during normal play is called a
field goal and is worth two points if shot from within or on the three-point line, and
three points if shot from beyond the three-point line. The three-point line's distance from the basket varies by level. Points are also awarded to the shooting team if the defensive team commits
goaltending or
basket interference while the ball is in flight towards the basket or is directly over it. A basketball team can also score by
free throws, which score one point each. Free throws are awarded to a team after the opponent commits a
foul in certain scenarios. The player taking the free throws (usually the player who was fouled) is entitled to take a specified number of shots unopposed with both feet behind the free throw line. The basket consists of a metal ring in internal diameter, suspended horizontally above the floor such that the center of the ring is equidistant from each sideline and from the end line. The basket ring has a net attached below to briefly check the ball's downward progress and indicate a score. The ring is fastened to a rectangular backboard wide by tall, though in lower levels of play or recreational use the backboard may be smaller or fan-shaped. The entire structure is supported from behind and anchored to the floor beyond the end line at higher levels of play; the structure may be anchored to a wall or ceiling at lower levels of play. A goal is worth three points.
Hurling and camogie In
hurling and
camogie the ball ("
sliotar") must pass completely beyond the goal line. The ball may be played by any legal method except by the hand of the attacker. A ball in flight
may be deflected into the goal off the hand of an attacker. Hurling and Gaelic football use the same goal structure. It is a 6.4 meter wide frame with a net attached. The goal posts are at least 6 meters high, and the crossbar is 2.44 meters above the ground. A goal is scored when the ball crosses below the crossbar and a point is scored when the ball passes above it. The NFL, which
merged with the AFL in , had its crossbar over the goal line until . In
arena football, a field goal also scores three points, unless it is
drop kicked, in which case it scores four points. The goal structure in arena football is much smaller than the outdoor game; it consists of a crossbar above the playing surface and wide; this size is also used for most other indoor leagues as well. Uniquely in arena football, the goal posts are attached to nets on either side of the crossbar which are taut to allow the ball to rebound back onto the field of play. The nets are wide and high. These nets do not represent a scoring area, but keep the ball in play and prevent it from entering the crowd. The goalposts are positioned centrally on the goal line (the front line of the in-goal area). The crossbar is from the ground; the uprights are apart in rugby league and in rugby union. In the early years of rugby,
only goals counted in scoring, and a "
try" counted only if "converted" into a goal. The official name "
goal from a try" for a converted try persisted until 1979. ==Goal celebration==