Rush goalie: what it means and the rules
Rush goalie means nobody is stuck in goal: whoever's back can be the keeper, and the keeper can come out and play. Some call it fly keeper, fly goalie or rush keeper. It's a playground rule, so there's no official version, but this is how most games play it.
How rush goalie works
In a normal game one player stays in goal. With rush goalie, the keeper is free to leave the goal and join in as an outfield player, and to rush back when the other side attacks. Only one player on a team can use their hands at a time, and only in their own area.
It keeps everyone in the game. In a small game, a keeper who never leaves the line means one side is always a player short going forward, and somebody is always cold and bored.
The versions, and what to agree
Every group plays it slightly differently. Settle these before kick-off:
- Who's the keeper: one named player who can roam, or "last man back", where whoever is nearest the goal can use their hands.
- Where hands are allowed: only inside the area. Mark it with something if the pitch has no lines.
- Swapping: can the keeper change during play, or only when the ball's dead or after a goal?
- Long shots: can you score into an empty net from your own half? Many games say no, or it gets silly.
- Picking up a pass from your own player: allowed or not?
When to use it
Rush goalie is the fix for three common problems:
- Nobody wants to go in goal: everyone still gets to play outfield.
- Small numbers: at three or four a side, a fixed keeper is half your defence standing still.
- Uneven teams: the side with the extra player keeps a fixed keeper ("stick" or "sticks"), and the side that's one short plays rush goalie to make up for it.
When to leave it out
With full sides and someone who likes playing in goal, a proper keeper makes a better game. Most five-a-side leagues don't allow rush goalie at all: the keeper stays in the area and outfield players stay out of it. If you play in a league as well as with friends, check its rules. The common ones are in the 5-a-side rules guide.
Uneven numbers without the arguments
Rush goalie evens out a game that's one player short. The other half is who goes on which side: give the smaller team the stronger players. The team generator does that for any number, odd included, and Squadcard does it every week from the ratings your group gives each other after the game.
Start a squadQuestions
What does rush goalie mean?
The goalkeeper isn't fixed. The keeper can leave the goal and play outfield, and rushes back to keep goal when the other team attacks. Only one player at a time can use their hands.
Is fly keeper the same as rush goalie?
Yes. Rush goalie, rush keeper, fly keeper, fly goalie and flying goalie are different names for the same playground rule.
What is "last man back"?
A version of rush goalie where there's no named keeper: whichever player is furthest back, nearest their own goal, can use their hands in the area.
What are sticks or a stick keeper?
A keeper who has to stay in goal, the opposite of rush goalie. With uneven teams, the side with an extra player usually plays sticks while the other side plays rush goalie.
Is rush goalie allowed in 5-a-side leagues?
Usually not. Most leagues keep the keeper inside the area and outfield players out of it. Rush goalie is for friends' games; check your league's rules.