Keeper

Keeper trying to save a goal

"I have to fly around our hoops and stop the other team from scoring."

— Oliver Wood

The Keeper is a player in wizarding sport of Quidditch in the Harry Potter book series and Quidditch Through the Ages. They defend three goalposts from the opposing side's Chasers who are scoring goals using the Quaffle, which is worth ten points each. Each team has one Keeper.

About

There are three goalposts on each side of the pitch. Each team puts a Keeper in the scoring area who flies goalpost to goalpost to stop the opposing team's Chasers from throwing the Quaffle through it. They cannot leave the scoring area during the game. Keeper tactics include the Double-Eight Loop and Starfish and Stick. Keepers are only allowed to block and save goals from the front of the hoop. Flacking is a foul where Keepers try to use their anatomy to prevent a goal by punching the Quaffle out of the goal hoop.

History

The earliest record of a Keeper is in the thirteenth century, two centuries after Quidditch was invented. In those days, the Keeper could fly anywhere on the pitch, score goals of their own and protected scoring baskets instead of hoops. They had to be the first to get to their goal baskets if the Quaffle was about to enter and should not have strayed too far away. A good Keeper was considered someone who could score and fly back very quickly. According to Kennilworthy Whisp, the Keepers in these days performed like a Chaser but with the extra responsibility of protecting their baskets.

In 1473, during the final of the first ever Quidditch World Cup, a Keeper was nearly decapitated with a broadsword.

However, in 1620, the scoring area was introduced. After this, they have been advised to stay in the scoring area of the pitch during the game. However, they can fly out to try and intimidate the opposing side's Chasers or to prevent them from scoring early.

In 1884, a new rule banning stooging was passed. Stooging was when two Chasers hold the Keeper back so that the third Chaser could score a goal. If the rule is now broken, the goal is disallowed. This was in response to Keeper injuries and an increase in the use of the stooging tactic.

At the first Quidditch World Cup in 1473, a team attempted to decapitate the opposing side's Keeper. In the 15th century play, "Hélas, Je me suis Transfiguré Les Pieds", a character chooses to be a Keeper instead of taking a cow to market.

Known Keepers

• Oliver Wood
• Miles Bletchley
• Darren O'Hare
• Meaghan
• Zograf
• Ryan