Soccer Goals
Make sure you buy a goal that's right for your playing terrain, ability, and usage.
How To Buy Soccer Goals
To play a regulation game of soccer, you need a soccer goal. There are many different sizes and constructions of goals. The type you purchase depends on the age of the players, intended use and space availability. Remember, it is important to always anchor any goal you use to prevent it from falling on the players or passers-by.
Types of Soccer Goals
Plastic
- These types of goals are lightweight and durable and are best for practice or backyard use
- They can be moved around a field easily, but should be anchored whenever they are used
- Hard plastic goals come in all different sizes, mostly smaller versions for practice use
- Many offer a tight netting system that can also serve as a bounce-back practice tool.
Metal
- All game goals and permanent goals are made of metal, usually aluminum
- They are very heavy. Full size goals weigh up to 175 pounds and are not meant to be constantly moved around a field.
- Aluminum goals are weather resistant and do not move when struck with a ball
- Since these goals are heavy they need to be anchored to prevent them from tipping over during a game
Goal Components
Most recreational facility goal posts have a flat surface and are square, hollow aluminum. Professional goals are circular rather than rounded.
Shape
Regulation soccer goals come in three basic shapes: without depth, with depth, and box.
- Without depth
- The net on this goals hangs down on a circular metal frame at approximately a 45-degree angle from the crossbar
- It is secured either to a ground-bar attached to the goal or by stakes to the ground
- These goals are lighter and more portable
- With depth
- The net on a with depth goal extends on a frame off the top crossbar about 2 feet parallel to the ground and then angles down at a 45 degree angle
- These provide more room inside of the goal and help keep players from getting tangled in the net
- These goals generally have rounded bars that frame the back of the goal to shape the net and to add stability
- Box
- Box goals are essentially rectangular shaped, with the net looped over a box-type frame at right angles off of the goal posts
- These are usually used for professional and other high-level facilities and are very heavy and relatively permanent
Size
The size goal you purchase depends on the age of the players using the field. If you are buying goals for a youth program, it is recommended you purchase one full size set and two smaller size goals (one for ages 4-7 and one for ages 8-11). Any more than that can cause scheduling and administrative problems.
- Standard/Full size
- The standard size regulation goal is 8-feet high by 24-feet (8 yards) wide
- A standard goal should be used for all regulation soccer fields used by players 12 years and older
- The minimum field width for this size goal is 50 yards; minimum length is 90 yards
- U9 to U11
- On fields used by 8 to 11 year old players, goals should be 6½ to 7 feet high by 18½ to 21 feet wide
- The minimum field width for this size goal is 50 yards, and the minimum length is 70 yards
- U7-U8
- For 6 to 7 year old players, goals should be 6 ½ feet high by 12 to 18 feet wide
- The field size for this age group is a minimum width of 30 yards and a minimum length of 50 to 60 yards
- U6
- For the youngest players, a goal should be 4 to 4 ½ feet high by 6 to 9 feet wide
- Field size for beginner players should be 15 to 30 yards wide and 30 to 50 yards long
Accessories
- Net attachments
- It is recommended that you purchase goals that come equipped with net fastener systems, such as clips or bars
- For existing goals, you can purchase clips separately and install them yourself. This will make putting up and taking off nets much easier
- You can also purchase hook-and-loop, Velcro-type strips to wrap around the poles to secure the net. These need to be replaced frequently.
- Anchors
- Many goal systems come with anchors or stakes to secure them to the ground
- It is highly recommended to have some sort of anchor system in place on all soccer goals
- Nets
- Nets are made of a synthetic wrapped material and are sized to fit the goal
- Refer to sizing charts to match the appropriate net with an existing goal, or the goal you are purchasing