Whether you’re a player, a coach or a club administrator, your club needs to have the right goalposts for the right event. For league matches, you need regulation goals according to the age group in question. But for training sessions, smaller, more portable goalposts might be more appropriate.
To help you make the best possible buying decisions, here is some essential advice on what’s available — and which goalposts are most appropriate for your needs.
Goalpost Types
When it comes to purchasing the ideal goalposts for your team or club, you’re spoilt for choice. As well as conventional steel goals, you have the option of plastic, pop-up or garden goals. There are regulation futsal goals that are ideal for shorter versions of the game, and portable goals you can fold away and pack in a bag.
uPVC Football Goals
Coaches love to have uPVC goals in their inventory because they are lightweight, mobile and extremely durable. They can be constructed in just a minute or two, and packed away even faster. Some versions can even be resized to cater for several age groups. These high-impact products can also be left outside in all weathers, as they’re completely corrosion-resistant.
Pop-up Goals
Pop-up goals are ideal for shooting practice, as they can be erected anywhere, and provide very clear targets for strikers. Some are made with steel frames, while others are made with plastic. Look out for pop-up goals with anchor sets included, as these lightweight goalposts can blow away relatively easily in bad weather.
Steel and Aluminium Socketed Goals
If you’re looking for permanent match goals for your pitch, you should be searched for socketed goalposts, which are available in both steel and aluminium. They are available in all of the FA’s regulation sizes, and come complete with nets, back supports and net hooks.
Freestanding Steel and Aluminium Goals
If you want temporary regulation goals for matches and training sessions, the freestanding option probably makes most sense. Solid, portable and non-corrosive, freestanding aluminium and steel goalposts fold up and down in seconds. They usually come with nets, as well as counterweights to keep them planted firmly on the ground.
Goalpost Sizes
If your club has teams in several ages groups, you’ll probably need several goalpost sizes in your inventory. The professional adult standard is 24 feet by eight feet, but smaller sizes are required the further down the age groups you go:
- Under-17s — 24’ x 8’
- Under-16s — 24’ x 8’
- Under-14s — 21’ x 7’
- Under-12s — 16’ x 7’
- Under-10s — 12’ x 6’
- Under-8s — 12’ x 6’
Pop-up and target goals come in various dimensions, so choose them according to the training sessions you wish to deliver and the pitches you’re using. If you’re running futsal or five-a-side football teams, the regulation goal should be two metres tall and three metres wide. Most options can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Goalpost Brands
Most of the leading brands offer similar functionality, quality and prices. However, if you’re in search of lightweight, portable goals in a wide range of sizes, Samba goals offer everything. Perfect for youth football and shorter versions of the game, these goalposts are all made with high-impact uPVC. They’re waterproof, and their non-locking assembly makes assemble and packing away exceptionally quick and simple.
Other brands on the market today include Mitre, Mark Harrod, Kickster and Precision. However, the most important aspects of good goalposts are construction quality, stability, durability and safety.
Large clubs featuring many age groups and versions of the game will have several types of goalpost in their inventory. Buy quality first time around, and you can look forward to many years of faithful service on the field of play.
Author Bio
Malcolm Cox is a copywriter and blogger who works extensively with clients in many different industries. He writes on subjects as diverse as politics and technology, and works closely with businesses to grow their digital footprint. Malcolm regularly contributes content to The Soccer Store — one of the UK’s leading football equipment retailers.