# Big Fat Goalie?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 17, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254 "2004-12-17T02:29:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![King\_Friday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/43a26b/32.png) [@King\_Friday](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/King_Friday)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254/1 "2004-12-17T02:29:55Z")

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Are there any rules against a big fat hockey goalie? Just some big dude so sit there and block shots. I see guys on the street that are as big as a goal. I know everyone’s thought about this, has it ever been done? Or is there some rule prohibiting that?

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**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254/2 "2004-12-17T02:56:45Z")

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See [This previous thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=272757&highlight=goalie+block), which also links to two other previous threads.

Apparently the NHL regulates the size of the jersey and pads a goalie can wear, thus, in effect, regulating the size of the goalie (unless you’re 800 pounds and WANT slapshots aimed at your shirtless, unpadded body).

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**Author:** ![hightechburrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f6c823/32.png) [@hightechburrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hightechburrito)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254/3 "2004-12-17T09:16:25Z")

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Ditto, the NHL has rules regarding the size of goalie gear, and is considering reducing the maximum size to increase scoring.

Also, the regulation goal is six feet wide and four feet high. That’s pretty damn big when you are in front of one.

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**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254/4 "2004-12-17T10:22:28Z")

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> [@hightechburrito](#):
>
> Also, the regulation goal is six feet wide and four feet high. That’s pretty damn big when you are in front of one.

Maybe, but I’ve seen plenty of folk that would fill that if they just lay down. Do the rules state that the goalie has to stand up?

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**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\
**Post date:** [December 17, 2004, 10:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/big-fat-goalie/280254/5 "2004-12-17T10:40:36Z")

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> [@Colophon](#):
>
> Maybe, but I’ve seen plenty of folk that would fill that if they just lay down. Do the rules state that the goalie has to stand up?

You honestly know a person who is four feet wide for a six-foot span? I mean, they’d have to be like eight feet tall, at least. [It’s been covered.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5199953&postcount=17)

> [@Yeticus Rex](#):
>
> Sumo Goalie Laying on his side:  
> If the sumo-goalie lays on his side, he will still have gaps (the areas above his neck and the areas above his knees towards his feet) that any teenage player on up can send a puck through. It would be very similar to sticking a nylon goalie on the goal for practice, because the sumo-goalie won’t be moving much at all, maybe waving his free arm in the air in desperation to block a shot. The game would become target practice.