7 Popular Types of Custom Soccer Goals

Have you been searching all over, but can’t find the soccer goal you need for your situation? Maybe you can’t find it because it doesn’t exist – yet.

Don’t despair – there is good news – soccer goals can often be custom-built for special situations. Sometimes making a custom soccer goal is an easy process. It can be as simple as modifying the size of an existing goal. And sometimes it’s something much more involved, for example taking a concept from an initial thought sketched on a folded napkin to a full-blown new product design. The possibilities for custom soccer goals are endless. Wondering what some of the endless possibilities might look like?

Read on to learn about some of the most popular types of custom soccer goals. But don’t stop there. You are only limited by your creativity, imagination and in some cases, pocketbook.

Soccer Goals With Custom Width and/or Height

US Soccer has defined soccer goal sizes for the various age groups to use for competitions, (read about US Soccer Official goal sizes for youth competitions in our Ultimate Guide To U.S. Soccer Goal Dimensions & Materials 2022). You’ll find goals in these sizes on the market from multiple manufacturers at a variety of price points.

However, there are times you might want different size goals for training or informal competition. For instance, you might want small goals for 1 v 1 or 2 v 2 competitions, or you might need short but wide goals for shooting, or counter-attack goals of various sizes. Sure, you can find these goals manufactured as standard-size goals from various manufacturers. But in instances where you can’t find exactly what you are looking for we may be able to build custom goals for your needs. For example, we have built low and wide goals for coaches to use in training activities where shooting is emphasized. We have been asked for these so frequently that we finally wised up and made a standard goal that is 2.5′ high and 9′ wide. We call it the Widemouth Goal. And, bonus, we can still custom make these beauties for you in other sizes and colors.

Soccer Goals With Custom Back Depth

You may have a situation where you want to maximize your playing space so you’d like the goals to have a shorter back depth than usual.

This is possible to a point – you don’t want the back depth of your goal to be so shallow that you risk the goalkeeper hitting his/her head on the back post or the wall behind the goal. Also, if your goal’s back depth is too short the ball may pop right out of the goal after a shot. And, crucially, a shorter back-depth will affect the safety of the goal.

Please be aware, that any time you are building a movable soccer goal you need to have a certified engineer run calcs to determine the tipping point of the goal and calculate how much weight would need to be added to the goal to meet the American Society For Testing and Materials, (ASTM) standards. (Read about soccer goal safety and which ASTM standards apply here.) Normally soccer goals with shorter back depth require more weight to be added to the goal to meet ASTM standards, or the goal will need to be anchored to a wall, fence, or ground for safety.

One of our most common requests is for a Box-style Soccer Goal to fit in front of football goal posts. If need be we can often shorten the overall depth of the soccer goal to fit. However, if you have 7’ or more of depth we can provide our standard box-shaped soccer goal to fit in front of the football field goal post.

For goals with a shorter back depth, you can add pads to cover the back and side bottom bars as a safety measure.

Soccer Goals With Wheels Built Into the Frame

There are all sorts of soccer goals on the market with wheels added on, some with wheels built into the frame, and a variety of wheel kit options. However, the majority of them only allow you to move the goal forward and backward. What happens when you have to move the goal sideways to get it through a gate or into a storage area? A soccer goal with swivel caster wheels may be the answer.

What is a caster wheel?

A wheel can only go in one direction at a time because it has a single axis. A caster wheel has a wheel PLUS a mounting system that holds the wheel. There are two kinds of casters, fixed casters, (sometimes also referred to as rigid casters) and swivel casters. Rigid casters are best for things that only need to go forward and backward. Swivel casters rotate 360 degrees and thus can be used to turn objects. The caster wheels we use on our soccer goals are swivel casters.

At Keeper Goals we manufacture a wide variety of standard models of soccer goals that have wheels built into the frame. Our Ultimate Wheeled Goals series has been an industry classic since 1988. This original model was first made with 5 standard wheels built into the frame of the goal. In later years other models were developed including several different types of goals with 4 standard wheels and a swivel caster wheel on the back bar and several models with five swivel caster wheels. However, these standard models still don’t meet everyone’s needs. Some people need custom-sized goals with wheels, custom-colored goals with wheels, or goals with wheels in different configurations. And we can do all of this.

We recommend steel bases on wheeled soccer goals for safety and durability due to the weight needed on the base of the goal and the strength of a steel weld over an aluminum weld. We also recommend for turf surfaces the back wheel on a wheeled goal be a swivel wheel.

Custom Colored Soccer Goals

Before we get you all excited about painting your soccer goals avocado green or burnt umber please know the rules for many official competitions require soccer goalposts and crossbars to be painted white. This is the case for official competitions sanctioned by FIFA, the NCAA, the National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS), and many other organizations. (See our Ultimate Guide To U.S. Soccer Goal Dimensions & Material Requirements (2024) for information on what colors soccer goals need to be for various soccer organizations.) Always check to see which rules your organization follows before painting any soccer or futsal goals if they will be used in official competitions.

Interestingly some organizations’ rules allow for goals to be colors other than white. For example, the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game 2022-23 state on page 18 “the goalposts and crossbar must be a different color to the pitch” and Major Arena Soccer League rules stipulate “The goal post and crossbar shall be red in color.”

Aside from official competition, there are reasons you might want your soccer or futsal goals to be a color other than the usual white. You might want goals in different colors purely for aesthetic reasons. Maybe you want your goals to be made in a certain color to help you establish brand awareness. Or maybe you want specific color goals for organizational purposes.

There are 3 common options for adding color to your goals:

You can have your goals painted to coordinate with your club or school colors to add a professional look to your fields and build a school or club spirit. Some do this purely for aesthetic value. It just looks cool. Some do this for more practical reasons; to label fields for games, tournaments, or camps to help players, staff, and parents identify where they are supposed to be quickly and easily. (For example, you could label your fields yellow-north, yellow-south, and use yellow goals on these fields, red-east, red-west, and use red goals on these fields, etc.)

You could add just a pop of color to a portion of a goal. The backup posts on our box-style Stadium Cup Goals are a popular spot for this. Choose to paint your backup posts to coordinate with your club or school colors to help brand your stadium and make your goals pop! Some choose just to paint the crossbar and uprights a different color, and some may choose to paint only the backstays on a traditional style goal.

For goals that won’t be used for official competitions some opt to add stickers to add color with their club logo. (Note: for official competition goals the use of stickers is regulated.) There are so many possibilities!

At Keeper Goals we can easily paint your goals one of 8 standard custom colors, (red, orange, yellow, royal blue, navy blue, forest green, black, and white). We have the ability to match a huge variety of custom colors for an additional fee.

Soccer Goals To Fit in Front of Football Goal Posts

Sometimes, soccer goals must fit in front of things like a football goalpost. Sometimes a custom back bar is needed on the soccer goal so it can fit. For example, a common request is a soccer goal with a custom back bar with a ‘cut-out’ piece that can go around a football goalpost. It’s not uncommon for a high school football goalpost to have a 6′ overhang, and many soccer goals have an 8′ back depth. It is possible to make a soccer goal with a shorter back depth (see point 2 above. But if you want a goal with a normal back depth, customizing the back bar by to accommodate the football goalpost is also an option.

To judge what size back-depth a soccer goal could have that would fit in front of a football goalpost, measure the distance from the front of your soccer goal line to the front of the football field goalpost (in the ground). Download a measuring guide for putting a soccer goal in front of a football goalpost.

To customize the back bar of your soccer goal to accommodate a football goalpost we need to know the distance from the front of your soccer goal line to the front of the football field goalpost (in the ground).

For stadium cup goals, off-setting the middle backup post to avoid hitting the field goal post is also an option.

Soccer Goals Anchored to a Wall or Fence for Safety or as a Theft Deterrent

In some situations, it’s not possible to use common methods of anchoring your soccer goal. For example, if your goal is indoors on a gym floor or another surface where you can’t make a hole for a duckbill ground anchor, stake, or an auger, or if you are on a cement surface or a tennis court where you can’t create holes in the surface because holes can’t be put in the playing surface so other methods of anchoring the goals need to be utilized.

In these instances, there are several methods of anchoring or securing soccer goals, and the goals can be modified to accommodate these types of anchoring methods:

Bolt the goal to the ground – base plates are welded onto the base of the goal to secure the goal to the ground

Secure the goal to a wall, base plates are welded to the backstays of the goal to secure the goal to the wall

Fabricate the goal with additional weight built into the frame of the goal.

Add additional weight to the goal using anchor weights. Please note that anchor weights can be easily moved and need to be monitored to make sure they remain on the goals at all times!

At Keeper Goals our design team can do a goal analysis to determine how much weight would be needed to secure your goals as well as the best way to move your goals. Contact us for information at info@keepergoals.com or call us at 800-594-5126 M-F 8am-5pm CST.

Soccer Goals That Fold for Storage

If your storage space is at a premium you are likely looking for ways to conserve your storage space. Folding soccer goals can save a ton of space. This can be as simple as something like our Folding Aluminum Training Goals which simply fold in half and are Velcro’d together for easy transport and storage. (This is a standard product for example #ALUM42, #ALUM46, #ALUMFUTSAL, etc.) These Folding Aluminum Training Goals can also be custom-made in other sizes and custom colors.

Or, it can be a more elaborate folding goal like the custom-made goals designed for The Milwaukee Yard. The staff there needed to maximize space and had limited storage space. When the space wasn’t being used for soccer it was being used for other sports and activities, so they did not want soccer goals taking up precious space.

We designed and built a special version of our Ultimate Wheeled Soccer Goals that are attached to the wall and actually collapse and fold onto the wall when they are not in use. These goals are built of the same solid steel and aluminum tubing as the Ultimate Wheeled Soccer Goals, but because they are attached to the wall they only need two wheels on the base of each goal. The primary function of these two wheels is to guide and slide the goal as it closes and opens. The result is a durable, sturdy soccer goal that doesn’t hog all the valuable space in this indoor athletic facility.

Summary

So, if you have a need for a specific type of soccer goal to help you accomplish a specific purpose in training your team, help you organize your club, camp, or training facility, or just to look cool you do have options.

While the perfect goal for your situation may not have been built yet, there are endless possibilities for custom soccer goals. And if one of the popular types of custom soccer goals listed above isn’t exactly what you are looking for we’re open to discussing your ideas.

Have you heard of the Goalpher, a unique soccer goal that stores below basketball courts allowing basketball courts to easily convert to soccer pitches in urban areas? Well, the Goalpher was the brainchild of former MLS star and soccer analyst Kyle Martino. Our lead engineer, Chris Bielefeld, worked with Martino to bring his idea for a soccer goal that would pop up out of the ground to life. And now, through the Over Under Initiative – a non-profit organization founded by Martino dedicated to improving the health and wellness of kids by increasing access to sport in urban neighborhoods the Goalpher is changing lives across the United States. What might be possible if you pursue your idea for a custom soccer goal?

Finishing session: five goals, five ways

Session plan

Want to try this with your team? Download the session plan and give it a go.

Organisation

Set up an area suitable for the age and ability of your players. Then, place a goal at each end.  

Separate players into two teams (including goalkeepers). Our example is 6v6, but you can adapt the session to suit your numbers.  

Finally, place a whiteboard and a pen at the side of the pitch. Write five different ways to score a goal down the side of the whiteboard. Examples include left foot, right foot, header*, volley and nutmeg. Then draw a line down the middle of the board to give both teams a column. Players get to write their name next to the matching finish when they score. 

*Age-dependent, refer to FA heading guidance.

How to play

Let your team play the match. The winners are the first side to score using all five finishes.   

When a player scores using one of the five techniques, they run to note it down on the whiteboard. However, only one goal type can be ticked off at once. So, if a left-footed volley is scored, it can only be marked down as left-footed or a volley – not both.  

Alternatively, instead of having to tick all five methods off, you could create a points system. Allocate points to each finish and challenge players to score as many as possible. Set a time limit: once the clock's ticked down, the team with the most points wins.  

This activity is a great way to help players practice various finishing techniques. It also improves teamwork and communication skills – as players work together to discover ways to score each type of goal. 

Progression

If your players master this game – or find it too hard – try adding a progression.  

To make the game more manageable, you could play without goalkeepers. This would increase the number of goals scored. Alternatively, you could make the pitch bigger to give players more time on the ball. Or, you could create zones where players can cross unopposed.  

To make the game more difficult, you could choose finishes that challenge your players' technical ability. For example, scoring with the outside of their foot or from outside the box. You could even introduce a rule that all goals must be from a first-time finish.  

But remember, learning takes time. So don't alter your activity too quickly or too much. To help, try using the STEP framework (Youth Sports Trust, 2002). This is a great way to keep things fun, engaging and appropriate.  

If you use this session with your team, let us know how you get on by posting in the England Football Community.  

Goal (sports)

Method of scoring in many sports

In sport, a goal may refer to either an instance of scoring, or to the physical structure or area where an attacking team must send the ball or puck in order to score points. The structure of a goal varies from sport to sport, and one is placed at or near each end of the playing field for each team to defend. Sports which feature goal scoring are also commonly known as invasion games.[1][2]

For many sports, each goal structure usually consists of two vertical posts, called goal posts, supporting a horizontal crossbar. A goal line marked on the playing surface between the goal posts demarcates the goal area. Thus, the objective is to send the ball or puck between the goal posts, under or over the crossbar (depending on the sport), and across the goal line. Other sports may have other types of structures or areas where the ball or puck must pass through, such as the basketball hoop.

In several sports, sending the ball or puck into the opponent's goal structure or area is the sole method of scoring, and thus the final score is expressed in the total number of goals scored by each team. In other sports, a goal may be one of several scoring methods, and thus may be worth a different set number of points than the others.

Methods of scoring

In some sports, the goal is the sole method of scoring. In these sports, the final score is expressed as the number of goals scored by each team, with the winner being the team that accumulated more over the specified time period.

In other sports, a goal is not the sole method of scoring. In these sports, the goal is worth a set number of points but there are other methods of scoring which may be worth more, the same, or fewer points. In these sports, the score is expressed as the total number of points earned by each team. In Australian rules football the score is expressed by listing the quantity of each team's "goals" and "behinds" followed by the total number of points.

Structure

The structure of a goal varies from sport to sport. Most often, it is a rectangular structure that is placed at each end of the playing field. Each structure usually consists of two vertical posts, called goal posts (side bar or uprights) supporting a horizontal crossbar. A goal line marked on the playing surface between the goal posts demarcates the goal area.

In some games, such as association football or hockey, the object is to pass the ball between the posts below the crossbar, while in others, such as those based on rugby, the ball must pass over the crossbar instead. In Gaelic football and hurling, in which the goalposts are similar to those used in rugby, the ball can be kicked either under the crossbar for a goal, or over the crossbar between the posts for a point. In Australian rules football, there is no crossbar but four uprights instead. In basketball, netball or korfball, goals are ring-shaped. The structure is often accompanied with an auxiliary net, which stops or slows down the ball when a goal is scored. In netball, a single post at each end of the court supports a horizontal hoop that the ball must fall through. In basketball, the hoop and net used for scoring can be supported on a post or mechanism at each end, or on structures attached directly to the wall.

Goal sports

Goal-only sports

The goal is the only method of scoring in several games. In each of these cases, the winner is the team that scores the most goals within the specified time.

A goal in a match of association football

In association football, the goal is the only method of scoring. It is also used to refer to the scoring structure. An attempt on goal is referred to as a "shot". To score a goal, the ball must pass completely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar and no rules may be violated on the play (such as touching the ball with the hand or arm).[3] See also offside.

The goal structure is defined as a frame 24 feet (7.32 m) wide by 8 feet (2.44 m) tall. In most organized levels of play a net is attached behind the goal frame to catch the ball and indicate that a goal has been scored; but the Laws of the Game do not mandate the use of a net and only require that any net used not interfere with the goalkeeper.[4]

Bandy

Hungarian players prepare to defend their goal against a Canadian corner-stroke at the 2012 Bandy World Championship. The goal-keeper has a different colour on his jersey, here grey.

In bandy, which has much of its structure from association football, the only way of scoring is to make a goal and the goal is also used to refer to the scoring structure. If neither of the teams has scored during a match, or if both teams have made the same number of goals, there is a draw unless it is a playoff game, which is then determed by overtime and eventually also a penalty shootout. If not otherwise decided in the Bandy Playing Rules set up by the Federation of International Bandy,[5] an approved goal is made when the ball is played in a regular manner and the whole ball has passed the inner definition of the goal line between the two goal posts and the cross-bar. This is stated in section 9 of the Rules. A goal can be made directly from a stroke-off, penalty-shot, a free-stroke, a face-off or a corner stroke. Centered at each short-line of the bandy field is a 3.5 m (11 ft) wide and 2.1 m (6 ft 11 in) high goal cage, regulated to size, form, material and other properties in section 1.4 of the Bandy Playing Rules. The cage has a net to stop the ball when it has crossed the goal-line. The cage shall be of an approved model. In front of the goal cage is a half-circular penalty area with a 17 m (56 ft) radius. A penalty spot is located 12 metres (39 ft) in front of the goal and there are two free-stroke spots at the penalty area line, each surrounded by a 5 m (16 ft) circle.

Field Hockey

The goal structure in field hockey is 3.66 metres (12.0 ft) wide by 2.14 metres (7.0 ft) tall. Like association football, a goal is scored when the ball passes completely over the goal line under the crossbar and between the goal posts. Nets are required to hold the ball in.[6] A goal is only scored if shot from with a semicircle 14.63 metres (48.0 ft) from the goal.[6]

Handball

A goal in handball is scored when the ball is thrown completely over the goal line, below the crossbar and between the goal posts.[7] The goal structure in team handball is 2 metres high and 3 metres wide. A net is required to catch the ball.[7]

Ice Hockey

Ice hockey: The puck hits the top of the net for a goal as the goaltender fails to block the shot.

In ice hockey, the puck must be put completely over the goal line between the posts and under the bar either off an offensive player's stick or off any part of a defensive player's body. The puck may not be kicked, batted, or thrown into the goal, though a goal may be awarded if the puck is inadvertently deflected off an offensive player's skate or body into the goal.[citation needed] The goal structure is a frame 4 feet (1.2 m) tall and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide with a net attached. In most higher levels of play the goal structure is attached to the ice surface by flexible pegs and will break away for safety when hit by a player. The goal is placed within the playing surface, and players may play the puck behind the goal.[8]

Lacrosse

Lacrosse goals are scored when the ball travels completely past the goal line. Goals can be disallowed if there is an infraction by the offensive team. The goal in lacrosse is 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and 6 feet (1.8 m) wide and a net is used to prevent the ball from reentering the field of play. Lacrosse goals are not positioned on the end boundary line; play often occurs behind the goal.[9]

Netball

In netball, a goal is scored when the ball is shot through a goal ring on a pole.

Polo

In polo, a goal is scored if the ball passes completely between the goal posts, regardless of how far off the ground the ball is. The ball must be between the goal posts or the imaginary lines extending above the inside edges of the posts. A ball passing directly over a goal post does not score a goal.[10]

The goal structure in Polo consists of two poles, at least 10 feet (3.0 m) high and exactly 8 yards apart. There is no crossbar and no net is required. The height at which a goal may be scored is infinite.[10]

Hardcourt Bike Polo

In Hardcourt Bike Polo, a goal is scored if the ball passes completely over the goal line and the shot originated as a "shot" as defined by the rules. A shot is made with either end of the mallet head similar to swinging a hammer whereas a shuffle is made with the long side like pushing a broom. Traditionally when using a non-netted goal such as two traffic cones the play is continued if the ball is shuffled through the goal of pass through the goal from the opposite direction. These non-netted goals are no long regulation[11][12] in competitive play but are common depending on the resources of a club.

Shinty

In shinty, a goal is scored if the ball goes over the goal line and under the crossbar. A goal can only be scored with a stick called a "caman"; no goal is scored if the ball is kicked, carried, or propelled by an attacking player's hand or arm.

Treibball

In Treibball, a point is scored when a dog knocks a ball (referred to as a rolling sheep) into the goal.[13] Rolling sheep must be knocked into the goal in a particular order within the seven minute time limit.[14]

Water polo

A goal in water polo is scored when the ball passes completely across the goal line, under the crossbar and between the goal posts. A goal may be scored through contact with any part of the attacker's body except a clenched fist.[15] The goal structure in water polo is dependent upon the depth of the water. The goal mouth measures 3 metres across and is either 0.9 metres above the surface of the water or 2.4 metres above the floor of the pool, whichever is higher. Nets are required.[15]

Games with secondary scoring other than goals

The following games have more than one possible method of scoring where the goal is the primary method, i.e. the method that scores the most points. In most cases the score is shown as the number of goals, plus the number of secondary scores (usually 1 point), plus the total number of points. The side with the higher number of total points is the winner.

Australian rules football goalposts at Perth Stadium

In Australian rules football a goal is scored when the ball is kicked by an attacking player completely between the two tall goal posts. To be awarded a goal, the ball may not contact or pass over the goal post, or touch any player on any part of the body other than the foot or lower leg of an attacker. In such cases, the score is a behind (1 point). The ball may be punted, drop kicked, or kicked off the ground (soccered). The ball may cross the goal line at any height from ground level up and may bounce before crossing the line. A goal scores six points. The behind, which scores one point; is awarded if the ball passes between the point posts or is not awarded a goal by the above provisions when passing through the goal posts.[16] The goal structure consists of two posts at least 6 metres in height and spaced 6.4 metres apart. There is no crossbar and no net.[16]

Basketball

An outdoor basketball hoop

The primary object of basketball is to score by shooting (i.e., throwing) the ball into a goal officially called the basket. A basket is scored when the ball passes completely through the basket ring from above; however, the number of points scored with each basket depends on where on the court the ball was shot from, and a team does not necessarily need to score the most baskets to win the game. Basketball scores are expressed in total points.[17]

A basket scored during normal play is called a field goal and is worth two points if shot from within or on the three-point line, and three points if shot from beyond the three-point line. The three-point line's distance from the basket varies by level. Points are also awarded to the shooting team if the defensive team commits goaltending or basket interference while the ball is in flight towards the basket or is directly over it.

A basketball team can also score by free throws, which score one point each. Free throws are awarded to a team after the opponent commits a foul in certain scenarios. The player taking the free throws (usually the player who was fouled) is entitled to take a specified number of shots unopposed with both feet behind the free throw line.

The basket consists of a metal ring 18 inches (46 cm) in internal diameter, suspended horizontally 10 feet (3.0 m) above the floor such that the center of the ring is equidistant from each sideline and 5 feet 3 inches (1.60 m) from the end line. The basket ring has a net attached below to briefly check the ball's downward progress and indicate a score. The ring is fastened to a rectangular backboard 6 feet (1.8 m) wide by 3.5 feet (1.1 m) tall,[18][19] though in lower levels of play or recreational use the backboard may be smaller and/or fan-shaped. The entire structure is supported from behind and anchored to the floor beyond the end line at higher levels of play; the structure may be anchored to a wall or ceiling at lower levels of play.[19] The ring, net, and the front, top, bottom, and sides of the backboard are all considered inbounds, while the back of the backboard and the support structure – even those parts suspended over inbounds areas of the court – are considered out of bounds.[citation needed]

Goalposts and scoring system used in hurling, Gaelic football, camogie and ladies' Gaelic football. The posts are 6.5 m (21 ft) apart with a crossbar 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) high.

In Gaelic football and ladies' Gaelic football a goal is scored when the ball passes completely beyond the goal line, between the goal posts and under the cross bar. The ball can be played with the hands, but a goal cannot be scored by hand. A ball travelling between the goal posts and over the cross bar is awarded one pointed called an "over". Overs are the most common scoring method with goals heavily defended.[20] A goal is worth three points.

Hurling and camogie

In hurling and camogie the ball ("sliotar") must pass completely beyond the goal line. The ball may be played by any legal method except by the hand of the attacker. A ball in flight may be deflected into the goal off the hand of an attacker. Hurling and Gaelic football use the same goal structure. It is a 6.4 meter wide frame with a net attached. The goal posts are at least 6 meters high, and the crossbar is 2.44 meters above the ground. A goal is scored when the ball crosses below the crossbar and a point is scored when the ball passes above it.[20]

Sports with goals as secondary scoring

At each end of the field in the following games, there is both a marked scoring area and a separate goal post structure. In these games, the term "goal" is only used for the secondary scoring method of putting the ball through the goal post structure.

American football: Texas A&M attempts to kick a field goal against The Citadel

In American and Canadian football, there is a scoring area marked at each end of the field called an end zone, and a separate goal post structure.

The primary method of scoring is a touchdown. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the end zone. A touchdown scores 6 points in both versions of the sport. The front line of the end zone is the "goal line", its back line is the "end line", and each corner is marked with a pylon. Each end zone in American football is about 10 by 53.33 yards (9.14 m × 48.76 m) wide, while each end zone in Canadian football is about 20 by 65 yards (18 m × 59 m) wide. Unlike other sports which require the ball/puck to pass completely over the goal line to count as a score, both Canadian and American football merely need any part of the ball to break the vertical plane of the outer edge of the goal line to count as a touchdown.

A field goal is a secondary method of scoring; it is scored when the ball is place kicked or drop kicked completely over the crossbar and between or directly over the goal posts. A field goal scores 3 points in both versions of the sport. In the American game, the now rarely used fair catch kick, if successfully made, also scores 3 points. A goal kicked during a try following a touchdown is worth one point.[21][22] These are the only methods of putting the ball through the goal posts that award points to the kicking team; no points are scored if the ball is punted or thrown through the goal posts, or if the ball goes through the goal posts on a kickoff (except, in the latter case, in indoor American football, where some leagues award a single point).

In both sports, the goal structure consists of a horizontal crossbar suspended ten feet (3.05 m) above the ground and vertical goal posts ("uprights") placed 18 feet 6 inches (5.64 m) apart and extending at least 35 feet (10.67 m) above the crossbar. In lower levels of play the goal posts may be placed further apart and/or not extend as far above the crossbar; for example, in high school football the posts are 23 feet 4 inches (7.11 m) apart. NFL and CFL rules mandate that a ribbon be attached to the top of each goal post.[23][24] Goals are centered on the field, but on different lines: in American football, they lie on the "end line" (far end of the end zone) and in Canadian football, on the "goal line" (beginning of the end zone). A retractable net may be placed behind the goal posts, well beyond the field of play, to prevent the ball from entering spectator areas.

A contemporary example of gridiron football goal posts

Until the mid-1960s, the goal posts were similar in design to rugby posts, with the crossbar and uprights supported by stanchions installed directly underneath the uprights (in the shape of the letter 'H'). A transitional design from this time retained the twin set of stanchions but placed them behind the crossbar. In this design, the crossbar and uprights were supported by a set of horizontal, vertical, and diagonal stanchions behind each upright. This design was last used professionally in the first Super Bowl in January 1967. The modern goal posts supported by a single "goose-necked" stanchion (in the shape of the letter 'Y') made their debut in the 1966 CFL playoffs and were adopted by all three professional leagues (CFL, NFL, and AFL) the following year, with many (but not all) college teams following suit in the years since.[25] The NFL, which merged with the AFL in 1970, had its crossbar over the goal line until 1974.

In arena football, a field goal also scores three points, unless it is drop kicked, in which case it scores four points.[26] The goal structure in arena football is much smaller than the outdoor game; it consists of a crossbar 15 feet (4.57 m) above the playing surface and 9.5 feet (2.90 m) wide; this size is also used for most other indoor leagues as well. Uniquely in arena football, the goal posts are attached to nets on either side of the crossbar which are taut to allow the ball to rebound back onto the field of play. The nets are 30 feet (9.14 m) wide and 37 feet (11.28 m) high. These nets do not represent a scoring area, but keep the ball in play and prevent it from entering the crowd.[26]

Canadian football also offers a secondary form of goal, the rouge or single point; it is awarded if a ball enters the end zone by way of any kick (either a missed field goal or a punt) and is not returned by the opposing team; this is not offered in American football (such a play results in a touchback instead).

Rugby goalposts, Manchester Rugby Club

In both rugby codes, there is a scoring area marked at each end of the field called an in-goal area, and a separate H-shaped goal structure. The primary scoring method is a try, worth 5 points in rugby union and worth 4 points in rugby league. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the in-goal area.

A goal is scored in either rugby code by place kicking or drop kicking a ball over the crossbar and between the uprights of H-shaped goalposts.[27][28] The goalposts are positioned centrally on the goal line (the front line of the in-goal area). The crossbar is 3 metres (9.8 ft) from the ground; the uprights are 5.5 metres (18 ft) apart in rugby league and 5.6 metres (18 ft) in rugby union.

League
pts Notes Drop goal Drop 3 1 Scored from open play. Penalty goal Place or drop 3 2 Usually place-kicked. Conversion goal Place or drop 2 2 Usually place-kicked. Goal from mark Mark 3 3 Abolished in 1922 in league and 1977 in union.

In the early years of rugby, only goals counted in scoring, and a "try" counted only if "converted" into a goal. The official name "goal from a try" for a converted try persisted until 1979.

Goal celebration

Celebrating the scoring of a goal is common. It is normally performed by the goalscorer, and may involve his or her teammates, the manager or coaching staff and/or the supporters of the team. Whilst referring to the celebration of a goal in general, the term can also be applied to specific actions, such as a player removing his shirt or performing a somersault.

Metaphor

The expression "moving the goalposts", which means to make a set of goals more difficult just as they are being met, is often used in business but is derived from association football.[30] It is commonly used to imply bad faith on the part of those setting goals for others to meet, by arbitrarily making additional demands just as the initial ones are about to be met.

In business, the concept is more abstract, with some performance measure or target being set as a goalpost while achieving the target is often known as achieving a goal.

See also

References