goal

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goal

sports

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June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

In sports, a "goal" has two primary meanings. It can refer to the ultimate aim or purpose of an effort, such as achieving a specific objective. In games like soccer and hockey, a goal is also the physical space (like a net) into which players try to send a ball or puck to score points. Scoring a goal means successfully getting the ball or puck into this designated area. A player can score multiple goals in a game, with two being a "brace" and three a "hat trick". Sometimes, a player might accidentally score an "own goal" into their own team's net.123

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Australian rules football
Play of the game
The line between the goalposts is called the goal line, and this line’s extension from each goalpost to its behind post is called the behind line.
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The line between the goalposts is called the goal line, and this line’s extension from each goalpost to its behind post is called the behind line.
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hurling
A goal, scored by driving the ball under the crossbar, is three points. The ball, or sliothar, has a cork centre, wound with wool and covered with leather, and is 9–10 inches (22.9–25.4 cm) in circumference. It may be caught in the hand before hitting but…
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A goal, scored by driving the ball under the crossbar, is three points. The ball, or sliothar, has a cork centre, wound with wool and covered with leather, and is 9–10 inches (22.9–25.4 cm) in circumference. It may be caught in the hand before hitting but…
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netball
…intercepting passes, try to prevent goals from being scored. A game consists of four 15-minute periods or two 20-minute halves.
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…intercepting passes, try to prevent goals from being scored. A game consists of four 15-minute periods or two 20-minute halves.
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rugby
Scoring
…the only scores came from goals, and the first goal scored won the match. A goal was scored by kicking the ball through the goalposts and above the crossbar. When a player touched the ball down over the goal line, he then kicked out from the goal line to a…
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…the only scores came from goals, and the first goal scored won the match. A goal was scored by kicking the ball through the goalposts and above the crossbar. When a player touched the ball down over the goal line, he then kicked out from the goal line to a…
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football
Equipment and field of play
…ball into the opposing team’s goal, using any part of the body except the hands and arms. The side scoring more goals wins. The ball is spherical, covered with leather or some other suitable material, and inflated to a pressure equal to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres (8.5–15.6 pounds per square inch [600–1,100…
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…ball into the opposing team’s goal, using any part of the body except the hands and arms. The side scoring more goals wins. The ball is spherical, covered with leather or some other suitable material, and inflated to a pressure equal to 0.6–1.1 atmospheres (8.5–15.6 pounds per square inch [600–1,100…
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