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When it comes to buying soccer goals you won’t be short of options to choose from but how do you know which soccer goal size and type to buy? These days soccer goals come in such a wide range of sizes, and in various different materials and types, which can make buying a soccer goal somewhat daunting.
With this in mind, we have put together a comprehensive soccer goal guide to help make the buying process that bit easier. We’ll cover topics such as the regulation U.S. Soccer goal sizes by age for adult and junior matches, the various goal types available, the materials that can be used to make soccer goals, and the different goal fixing types available.
After reading this guide, you will be able to confidently buy the goal that matches your exact needs, whether you’re buying for yourself, your child, a school, or your soccer team.
Regulation Soccer Goal Sizes
First, we’ll cover the regulation size dimensions of soccer goal posts, as set out by U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer for matches at both senior and junior levels. If you’re playing for a soccer team at any level, it is important to practice with the size goal that you will be using in matches. This way, you can train under match conditions and develop the necessary shooting skills for that size goal.
However, if you’re looking for a training goal to focus on your passing and shooting accuracy, or you have limited space or a tight budget, then you don’t necessarily have to follow these size recommendations. Instead, buy a goal that meets your demands.
It is important to note that soccer goals are measured from the inside of the posts and from the inside/bottom of the crossbar to the ground.
Senior Soccer Goal Post Sizes
For senior soccer matches with 11 players per side, the regulation goal size set out by the IFAB and U.S. Soccer is 7.32m (24ft) in width by 2.44m (8ft) in height. These are the size dimensions used in both men’s and women’s soccer.
Any variations in goal size for senior play will be dependent on the number of players on each team.
9-a-side
To suit the reduced size of the playing area, the goal size recommended for 9-a-side senior football is 21ft x 7ft.
7-a-side
IFA7 and FIF7 are responsible for the governance of senior 7-a-side soccer games at international level. In the USA, the standard goal posts used in senior 7-a-side games are 12ft x 6ft.
5-a-side
Senior 5-a-side soccer games in the USA should use goal posts that are 12ft x 4ft, in accordance with guidelines set out by U.S. Soccer and the IFAB
Youth Soccer Goal Sizes
In the United States, US Youth Soccer is the largest youth soccer organization and is a member of U.S. Soccer and FIFA. US Youth Soccer sets out all the recommendations regarding the goal post sizes for youth soccer games in the USA. In youth soccer for players under the age of 13, the regulation goal post size decreases with age to reflect the smaller playing area and the reduced number of players on the field. This adjustment makes the game easier for youth goalkeepers who are smaller in size and helps youth players develop their shooting accuracy.
Below, we’ll go through all the youth goal sizes for junior games as set out by US Youth Soccer.
Under 6 to Under 8 Soccer Goals
US Youth Soccer recommends that games involving children aged 8 years old and younger should use a 6ft x 4ft goal size. These games have 4 or 5 players on each side and no goalkeeper. They are split up into 4 quarters of 10 minutes each and there is no offside rule.
Under 9 and Under 10 Soccer Goals
For under 9s and under 10s games, US Youth Soccer recommends using goals that are a maximum of 18.5ft x 6.5ft. Under 9 and 10 games are 7-a-side and are made up of two 25-minute halves.
Under 11 and Under 12 Soccer Goals
In under 11s and under 12s games, 21ft x 7ft soccer goals are used, as set out by US Soccer. The games consist of two 30-minute halves and each side has 9 players.
Under 13 to Under 18+ Soccer Goals
In accordance with the guidelines set out by US Youth Soccer and the US Youth Soccer Player Development Model, full-size 24ft x 8ft soccer goals are to be used in all games where the players are over the age of 12 years old. The games last a total of anywhere between 70 minutes (two 35-minute halves), and 90 minutes (two 45-minute halves) depending on the age group.
U.S. Soccer maximum recommended goal sizes by age
| AGE | GOAL SIZE |
|---|---|
| UNDER 6/7/8 | 6FT X 4FT (1.8M X 1.2M) |
| UNDER 9/10 | 18.5FT X 6.5FT (5.6M X 2M) |
| UNDER 11/12 | 21FT X 7FT (6.4M X 2.1M) |
| 12+ & SENIOR | 24FT X 8FT (7.3M X 2.4M) |
Recommended Backyard Goal Sizes By Age
If you’re looking for a soccer goal for casual play or practice in your backyard, factors such as the space available to you and your budget are more likely to determine which size soccer goal to buy rather than the strict U.S. Soccer or IFAB size regulations.
The graphic we’ve included below should serve as a rough guide to suitable backyard goal sizes for your child, rather than stating a set recommendation. As mentioned previously, the space available in your backyard and your budget should be the main considerations when choosing a goal for your backyard. For example, if your budget doesn’t allow for a larger goal or your backyard is limited in space, a smaller and slightly cheaper 6ft x 4ft goal can be used by older players if required.
Soccer Goal Post Materials
Soccer goal posts are typically made from either uPVC, steel, or aluminum. Each material has its own specific performance benefits, making it suitable for different goals used in certain circumstances.
Here, we’ll go through each of the three materials and detail the benefits of each.
uPVC Soccer Goal Posts
Polyvinyl chloride, also known as uPVC, is a lightweight, weatherproof, and cost-effective plastic that is perfect for soccer goal posts used in backyards or in youth games. While not displaying the same durability as a metal goal post, uPVC goals are still able to withstand the rigors of junior play and backyard use. Costing less than metal alternatives, their lightweight nature allows the goals to be moved with ease, and assembled or taken down in minutes.
FORZA uPVC soccer goals are made using 68mm thick, shatterproof polyvinyl chloride that features a button locking system, allowing for easy assembly and keeping the structure securely in place throughout use.
Steel Soccer Goal Posts
Steel is an alloy of carbon and iron, making it an extremely strong and durable metal that can maintain its shape under the strongest of impacts. Steel is also slightly cheaper than its aluminum alternative while still offering comparable performance.
Galvanized steel is used to make a range of FORZA’s metal goal posts, further adding to the structural integrity of the goal. Each goal contains an additional layer of zinc coating and is UV treated, making the goals 100% weatherproof and corrosion resistant. This makes steel a great choice for backyard, school, and practice-ground soccer goal posts in any weather conditions, all year round.
Our steel goal posts are available in a variety of sizes from 6ft by 4ft up to 24ft x 8ft and are fitted with a twine high-density polyethylene (HDPE) net.
Aluminum Soccer Goal Posts
Aluminum is regarded as the best quality material that can be used to make a soccer goal post. Despite being the most expensive out of the three materials, aluminum offers the greatest durability and stability. Due to its reliability in performance and corrosion resistance, soccer clubs at the highest level will opt for aluminum goals for their pitches and practice grounds. Aluminum is also incredibly light compared to other metals, allowing for easy movement around training pitches to set up different training drills.
FORZA aluminum soccer goals are available in a range of sizes and fixing types. Every goal conforms to U.S. Soccer and IFAB regulations, making them perfect for professional soccer clubs. Our 60mm and 110mm diameter aluminum posts are popular with clubs such as Manchester United and Newcastle United and can be used on any playing surface.
Soccer Goal Fixing Types
Soccer goals can either be fixed into the ground or left freestanding. Deciding which type you need for your goal will depend on the desired use for your goal and whether you’ll need to move the location of the goal at any point. In this section, we’ll go through both fixing types and the benefits of each.
Freestanding Soccer Goals
Freestanding goals can stand upright on the ground with minimal support and ground preparation. They can be easily transported from location to location whenever you wish to move the structure, making this fixing type suitable for goals used in training, on pitches that are used for multiple sports, and backyard goals if you wish to change the position of the goal or if you are moving house.
Freestanding aluminum goals are often self-weighted, allowing them to remain securely in place under any type of impact. Our FORZA ALU110 Freestanding Soccer Goals are available with optional wheels to make moving these goals around the training pitch an effortless task. For other freestanding goals, such as steel and uPVC goals that don’t have quite the same structural stability as freestanding aluminum goals, other weighting options are available to prevent the structure from toppling. Sandbags can be placed onto the goal frame to hold the structure in place, or U-pegs can be placed over the frame and inserted into the ground, making these freestanding goals perfect for junior play or backyards.
Socketed Soccer Goals
Socketed goal posts are the most popular choice for professional soccer pitches where the goals won’t need to be moved for a long period. The frame of the goal is inserted into sockets or sleeves that have been permanently concreted into the ground to provide ultimate stability. You need to be certain about the location of your socketed goal post, as once the sleeves have been fitted, they are difficult to remove. If you are looking to move the structure, it can be easier to have new sockets fitted instead of moving them or buying a whole new goal. Socketed goal posts are a great option for public grounds, such as parks, as they provide a robust structure that won’t topple and can’t be stolen. The sockets should be fitted by a contracted professional who can ensure the structural stability of the goal.
FORZA’s socketed soccer goals are considered to be the very best. Structurally secure and reliable, our socketed goal posts are currently installed at professional soccer grounds, including Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium and Wrexham AFC’s Racecourse Ground.
Now that you have read our complete soccer goal post guide, why not check out our range of soccer goals?
At FORZA, we pride ourselves on the quality of our soccer goal posts. We carry a variety of aluminum, steel, and uPVC goals in a range of sizes that can be used in the backyard, on the training ground, or on your soccer pitch. Regardless of your age or ability, we’ve got the goal post to meet all of your needs. All of our goals offer unrivaled performance and are a popular choice among the very best professional soccer clubs.
