Definition

Noun: A player in soccer or hockey whose primary role is to defend the goal and prevent the opposing team from scoring. This player is the last line of defense and is the only player on the team permitted to handle the ball (in soccer) or puck within a designated area.

Usage

The term "netminder" is used specifically in the context of team sports like soccer (football) and hockey to refer to the goalkeeper or goaltender. It emphasizes the player's function of guarding the net.

Examples

• The netminder made a spectacular save in the final minute of the game.
• A good netminder must have excellent reflexes and concentration.
• The team's success often depends on the skill of their netminder.

Advanced Usage

• "To stand between the pipes": This is a common idiom meaning to play as the goalkeeper/netminder, referencing the goal posts.
  • After years as a defender, he now stands between the pipes as the team's netminder.

Variants and Related Words

• Goalkeeper (n): The more common term in soccer for a netminder.
• Goaltender (n): The more common term in ice hockey for a netminder.
• Keeper (n): An informal shortening of "goalkeeper."

Synonyms

• Goalkeeper
• Goaltender
• Keeper
• Goalie (informal)

Related Idioms

• "To be a brick wall": Describes a netminder who is very difficult to score against.
  • Their netminder was a brick wall; we couldn't get a single shot past him.

Noun

1. the soccer or hockey player assigned to protect the goal