Soccer goals are
a critical part of any soccer game. Whether you have makeshift goals, or
portable soccer goals, you will need a pair of goals to play and keep score!
There are of
course many different types of soccer goals and the selection criteria in
purchasing goals will depend on the age of the players, type of game to be
played, and space availability.
Soccer Goal Material
Goals are
generally made up of two types of material, either plastic or metal.
Plastic goals are
lightweight, durable, and the most portable. They are ideally suited for
practices and for small areas such as backyards and parks, and many come with
stretched netting system so that the soccer balls bounce right back. It is a
good idea to anchor down movable goals for fun and safe practices and games.
Metal goals are
usually made of aluminum and are very stable, but they can be very heavy, for
example full size goals may weigh in excess of 175 pounds! These types of goals
are therefore not portable but they are suited for all types of weather
conditions. Once again secure anchoring is important to keep the goals from
tipping over.
There are other
selection criteria to consider when purchasing soccer goals:-
·
Shape
There are various shapes of soccer goals: no-depth, with depth, and
box. You will generally select the shape depending on usage of the goals.
No-Depth goals are light and portable. The soccer net hangs from
the cross-bar at a 45-degree angle, and is secured to the ground by stakes.
Depth goals have a slight extension from the cross bar so the net
remains parallel to the ground before dropping at a 45-degree angle. These
goals are more stable and roomier to allow players to be involved in a little
goal-mouth action!
Box goals are rectangular in shape so that the net essentially
forms three walls and a roof in the rear. These goals are generally unmovable
and used by professional and other high level soccer leagues and associations.
·
Size
The size of the goals is the most important criteria for selecting
a set of goals, and this will really depend on age group of the players and size
of the soccer field.
Full size soccer goals are 8-feet high and 24 feet wide, and are
used by players 12 years and older on a full-sized soccer field (90 x 50 yards
minimum).
For players aged 9-11, the recommended goal size is 7-feet high to
21-feet wide. The minimum soccer field size should be 70 x 50 yards.
For players aged 7-8, a goal size of 6-feet high to 12 to 18-feet
should be appropriate, with a soccer field size no less than 30 x 50 yards.
For the youngest of players, aged 6 and under, 4-feet high and
6-feet wide goals would be plenty big! The soccer field size should be
approximately 22 yards by 40 yards.
·
Nets and Anchors
It is a good idea to purchase goals that come with nets and anchors
as part of the package. Hook and loop and Velcro nets are the easiest to use,
although they do need regular replacement. Nets are made of a synthetic
material and are usually made to fit certain size goals, so it’s important to
know the goal size before purchasing the soccer nets.
There is a vast
array of online vendors that provide high quality soccer goals, soccer goal
accessories, and other
soccer gear.
Make sure that the shipping cost is calculated in the final price when comparing
different soccer goals; shipping charges can be add up to quite a bit for the
larger soccer goals. Of course vendors offering free shipping works out to be
the best!
