Motivational Soccer Patches

HOW TO BUILD SOCCER GOALS AND TIPS ON BUYING A SOCCER GOAL AND SOCCER NET FROM SOCCERHELP.COM

  1. The Simplest and Easiest Soccer Goal. The simplest, easiest, and least expensive type of goal to build is to put two pressure treated 4x4's in concrete, put wood or a metal pipe across the top for a cross bar and hang a net. Your total materials cost, not counting the net, can be in the $50 range. The advantage is that it is cheap, easy, and durable. The disadvantage is that it isn't movable unless you put steel sleeves in the concrete so you can slide the posts in and out. This type of goal is great for backyard use where the main objective is a backstop to shoot into. You can make it 6' tall or 8' tall by 8' wide fairly easily. After having built 3 PVC goals, I would build this type the next time. Five suggestions: (1). Use plenty of concrete and buy some concrete wire to put in the hole to help prevent cracking. (2). Leave the top of the concrete 4" - 6" below the top of the ground and fill that with sand. Later, if you move the posts, you can fill it with dirt so the concrete isn't visible. (3). Put the posts 2 feet into the concrete. (4). For safety, place padding around the posts. (5). Plastic ties do not work well to hold the nets for players over age 12 (they break too easily) and Velcro is expensive and won't last. I think the best ties are a simple cotton or nylon twine; it is easy, cheap and lasts a while. I've heard that Bungee Cords make good fasteners and it makes sense that they would. See below for information on nets and other alternatives.
  2. PVC Soccer Goals. I have built 3 PVC goals and would think twice before building another one because it is a complex project. The ones I built were 8' tall X 12' wide with a 6' base. If I built one again I would make it smaller (more like 6' tall X 8' wide) because anything larger is really a 2-man job. The problems are that the cuts must be precise, you must carefully plan the cuts and order of assembly and the glue sets up very quickly. Also, once it is finished it may only last a few years because the joints and elbows tend to crack (The larger the goal, the more likely they are to break). Two Tips: If you build one, consider using the plastic piping they use for irrigation systems; it is more expensive but I am told it lasts longer. Also, buy 2 rolls of heavy duty white duct tape and triple wrap all joint and elbows every year or two. Doing so helps spread the stress and should help the goal last for 2 or 3 years before you start to have problems (the amount of problems you have will depend on the size and how much you move the goals around). See below for information on nets and other options.
  3. Soccer Nets. Soccer nets are usually made from polyethylene (a nylon-cord type of material) and come in different sizes (various heights, width, depth at the top and base at the bottom), cord thickness (2mm, 3mm, 4mm, and 5mm), and mesh sizes ( the size of the squares made by the cord range from 2" to 5.5"). The cost of a net is largely determined by its size, the thickness of the cord and its quality. Tip: If the goal will be used by a player age 12 or older, buy a net with a 3mm or thicker cord, 2mm cord breaks too easily.
  4. Sources of Soccer Nets. Many suppliers only sell nets in pairs. However, if you check the internet you may be able to find a site that sells individual nets. At one time, Sports Authority did. Tip: you can double up a net if it is too large.
  5. Sources Of Backyard Soccer Goals. There are many suppliers of goals. Tip: Check the thickness and mesh size of the net and the weight of the goal for clues as to quality.
  6. Soccer Net Fasteners. I like using pieces of twine or rope. It is cheap, durable and easy; just buy a roll and cut the length you need. Plastic ties won't last and velcro is expensive and only lasts about a year. I've heard that Bungee Cords make good fasteners and it makes sense that they would.