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Moving a goal post, especially a full-sized one, should be done in a certain way. If done incorrectly, the goal post can cause serious injury or damage to the soccer goal.
When moving a post, no damage should occur to the playing surface, and the process should be safe and easy to perform. Here are a few things we’ll cover today;
- Preparation before moving soccer goals
- Moving them safely
- Aids to help moving
- Storing tips
Modern goal post designs and accessories make moving them so much easier than in the past. Some goal posts have incorporated attachable wheel transporters, wheel dollies, and permanent transporter systems in the actual design.
In this article, we will list the many ways how you can transport your specific goal post from A-B.
What to think of before moving soccer goals
- Extreme care should be taken when moving most types of goalposts as they are attached from weights, anchors, sockets, or fixing points, making them unstable when moving them.
- A minimum of four-ten physically fit, and capable adults should move a full-sized goal post.
- Goalposts should never be dragged across the ground, and you should move goals fitted with wheels according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Foldable goalposts have clear safety instructions that need to be followed when moved and stored.
- When storing goals, you should never leave them in an accessible or unstabilized position; if there is no secure storage method, it will be safer to leave them in place and properly secured.
How To Move Soccer Goals
You can move soccer goals in the following ways:
- Physically carrying the goal (minimum of 4 adults.)
- Dissembling the goal and moving the individual parts.
- Attaching transportation systems like wheel dollies and goal post wheel transporters/kits to the goal’s frame, wheeling it to the required spot.
The dimensions of a full-size adult soccer goal are 24 feet in width by 8 feet in height and 6 feet in depth if it is a movable structure that is not permanently fixed.
Whether it’s a fixed structure or foldable, the design of the soccer goal will guide you in the moving process.
Physically Carrying The Soccer Goal
When the soccer goal is a solid structure, your first option would be to carry it to the storage spot physically.
The moving operation would have to include a minimum of four adults who can handle the weight of the structure.
Disassembling The Soccer Goal
If the main reason for moving the soccer goal is to store it during the off-season, then disassembling the goal may be the best option.
Taking the goal apart as per the manufacturer’s instruction will leave you with parts of the goal that is easily transferable.
Attaching Transportation Systems
The third way to move a soccer goal is to attach a transportation system to the frame of the goal, like wheel dollies and wheel transporters.
These transportation attachments will make the moving of a soccer goalpost easy and safe.
Whilst these soccer goals from Forza have built-in wheels for maneuvering.
![FORZA Replacement Portable Soccer Goal Wheels & Brackets [Net World Sports] (Set of 2 Wheels & Brackets)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cgkZYA-OL._SL500_.jpg "FORZA Replacement Portable Soccer Goal Wheels & Brackets [Net World Sports] (Set of 2 Wheels & Brackets)")
Movable Soccer Goals Guidelines
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued the following safety guidelines regarding movable soccer goals.
By following the guidelines, you will improve the general safety of soccer goal that is in use and when a soccer goal is not in use and stored.
Movable soccer goals have led to many injuries/deaths over the years. Typically, the injuries don’t happen on the field of play, instead of occurring when the soccer goals are stored away.
Children who climb and hang on to unsecured goals have been killed due to the goal tipping over.
The CPSC has, since 1979, reported on 36 deaths that were the direct result of soccer goals falling over.
Let us discuss some of the preventative measures that you can take to keep this from happening.
Anchoring And Storing Soccer Goal Posts
A movable soccer goal that is properly anchored is less likely to tip over and cause injury. A moveable goal should always be anchored to the ground. The anchors used to do this should be flush with the ground and visible.
Types Of Anchors
There are various ways to secure your soccer goal, the numbers, and type of anchors that you will be required to use will depend on the following factors:
- Soil Type
- Moisture Content
- Soccer Goal Weight
The following anchor types may be used in conjunction with each other to safely secure a soccer goalpost (according to the guidelines of the CPSC):
- Auger
- Semi-permanent
- Peg
- Stake
- J-Hook
- Sandbags
- Counterweights
- Net Pegs
How To Store A Soccer Goal
Anchoring and securing a soccer goal is only half of the job when used for practice or a game. It would be best practice if you made the same effort when storing your soccer goal for whatever reason.
When goals are moved and stored, they are rendered unstable by the necessary detachment of anchors, sockets, or fixing points.
When you store a soccer goal away, please follow the following safety precautions:
- Remove the net.
- Lock all unused goals in a secure storage room if possible.
- Place the goal frames of the goalposts face to face and secure each with a lock and chain.
- If stored outside, lock and chain the goal post to a suitable fixed structure.
- Fully disassemble the goal, if applicable, for seasonal storage.
- Fold the face of the goal down, if applicable, locking it to the base.
Soccer goals should never be left accessible, upright, or without the ensured stability of the structure. Socketed goals should not be left-leaning in an unsecured fashion against a fence or wall.
When it’s not possible to perform the safety precautions listed above, then it is advised that you leave the goals in place on the field and properly stabilized as if in use. You can remove the net in this situation and store it separately.
Failure to comply with the above may result in prosecution should an accident or even death occurs due to negligence.
Check the goal post before it’s used and make sure that structurally it’s safe to use. Regular maintenance is advised.
Never allow a person, especially a child, to climb onto a soccer goal. Pull-ups on the crossbar are dangerous and the main reason for a goal post to tip and cause injury.
References:
- Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goals | CPSC.gov
- The FA Goalpost Guidelines
- Dynamo Soccer Club Goal Moving Policy | SLIDEBLAST.COM
- Goal Post Safety Standards | Harrod Sport
- The FA Goalpost Guidelines
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Joel is a seasoned soccer journalist and analyst with many years of experience in the field. Joel specializes in game analysis, player profiles, transfer news, and has a keen eye for the tactical nuances of the game. He played at various levels in the game and coached teams - he is happy to share his insight with you.
