The soccer net is one of the first pieces of equipment that can be seen on a standard soccer pitch probably because they stand out in style. It is usually attached to a goal post that supports a horizontal crossbar which is located at both ends of the field.
Virtually all forms of soccer like beach soccer, futsal, street soccer, and indoor soccer make use of soccer nets as well. Soccer nets have been helpful since their inception because they help to accurately tell when a goal is scored.
Also, the soccer net helps in catching the soccer ball when a soccer player scores a goal thereby preventing the soccer ball from hitting an unsuspecting spectator or crossing into a neighboring field.
Nowadays, because of their significance, soccer nets are not only used in professional soccer. Fans and soccer players who own small-sized soccer fields in their homes have taken up an interest in the use of soccer nets.
Although the soccer net is a piece of significant equipment and an integral aspect of soccer, not all coaches, players, and parents have good knowledge of the soccer net they are using in terms of size, the material used in manufacturing it, etc.
In this article, we have answered a common question that lingers in the minds of soccer fans, coaches, and players alike which is, “how big is a soccer net?”
If you find yourself in this category of people, you wouldn’t worry any longer after reading this article as we have carefully described how big the standard soccer net should be.
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How big is a soccer net?
The soccer net attached to a goal post should be big enough so as not to interfere with the goalkeeper and also serve its purpose.
It must be fixed firmly to the ground at the back of the goal line and to the goal. Soccer nets might look similar but they are different in size and configuration.
Before the introduction of the soccer net, there had been some arguments about whether a goal was scored or not. In a match between Ireland and England in the 1880s, Ireland argued that a goal recorded for England shouldn’t have stood because they felt the ball went over the bar instead of under the bar.
Four years later, in a match between England and Ireland, England argued that because they believed that the ball went wide of the post, Ireland’s goal should not have stood.
In 1891, John Alexander Brodie noticed that on his trousers were large pockets and with this, he reasoned that soccer balls would nestle properly in the goals if they were similar to his large pockets.
He brought his imagination into reality thereby producing soccer nets and his invention was tried in Stanley Park. With the invention of the soccer nets, John Brodie helped reduce the numerous arguments on whether a player really scored a goal or the ball passed through the wrong side of the post.
The size of a soccer net to be fixed is dependent on the size of the goalpost as the net is usually similar in size to the goalpost. Soccer goals vary in size depending on age groups.
That is why goalposts meant for youths are different from the standard soccer posts. The sizes and dimensions of soccer goals and nets vary in all the various types of soccer.
Below is the description of the sizes of the soccer nets in the different variations of soccer.
Association Football
In association football, the size of a standard goalpost is 2.44m (8 feet) x 7.31m (24 feet). Therefore, you should attach a soccer net with the dimensions of 8’ x 24’ x 4’ x 10’ whereby the 8’ represents the goal opening height that is measured from the bottom to the top.
Likewise, the 24’ represents the width of the goal opening, it is measured from side to side of the goal. The 4’ stands for goal top’s depth, its measurement is taken on the top of the goal from the front to the back.
10’ stands for the goal base, its measurement is taken on the goal bottom from the front to the back of the goal. Also, the inside of the goal should have a distance of 8 yards (7.32 meters), this is the standard dimension of a soccer net.
Youth Soccer
The size of the goal for the US youth soccer varies and is dependent on the age of the soccer players and also the available area where they can play the game.
The US Youth Soccer Association has set out recommendations and rules for the measurement of soccer goals and nets for various age groups. Below are the accepted measurements for the goalposts of different age groups.
1. Ages 2 to 3
This is the youngest category of soccer players. Therefore, a soccer goal of 3 feet by 5 feet should be set up for them. A soccer net of 3 feet by 5 feet should be attached to the goal.
2. Ages 4 to 5
A maximum soccer goal size of 5 feet by 10 feet and a minimum soccer goal size of 4 feet by 6 feet should be set up. Consequently, the net should be about the same size.
3. Ages 6 to 7
For this age category, the maximum soccer goal size is 6 feet by 12 feet and the minimum is 5 feet by 9 feet.
4. Ages 8 to 12
A maximum soccer goal size of 7 feet by 21 feet and a minimum soccer goal size of 6 feet by 18 feet should be set up.
5. Ages 12 and above
The soccer goal size should be 8 feet by 24 feet. For each of the above soccer goal sizes, an equivalent soccer net measurement should be attached.
Futsal
Futsal, which is also a type of soccer, has a different goal size compared to association football. The standard size and dimension of all futsal goals is 3m (9 feet 10 inches wide) x 2m (6 feet 7 inches high), they usually come with a 1m (3 feet 7 inches) depth behind the goal.
The soccer net to be attached on any futsal goal should be 3m x 2m in size. The nets should be stretched out to form a cuboid.
It is also important to note that the official goal net generally used in futsal has a depth of 2’8″ (0.8128m) at the top and 1.00 or 1.50 m at the bottom with knotless rope featuring 4 mm compact braid and 120 mm mesh.
Beach Soccer
Beach soccer which is played on loose sand has goals that are slightly smaller than standard association football goals. This makes it easier for the goalkeeper to protect the mouth of the goal because of the challenge faced when making dive saves.
Its width is 18 feet while its height is 7.25 feet. The soccer net to be attached to the goal should be 18 feet by 7.25 feet respectively.
Indoor Soccer
An indoor soccer goal is smaller than a standard association football goal size. Its standard goal size is 3.65m (12 feet) wide x 1.98m (6.6 feet) tall and it must be set on the goal line in its center.
A soccer net of the same size can be attached to the goal but must be extended and supported to the ground by 1.52m (5 feet) depth behind the goal. This will aid the goalkeeper to move freely without any hindrance to his mobility.
Street Soccer
The size of the soccer net used in street soccer is also smaller than that of association football, its goal post has a measurement of 4 feet (1.22m) by 12 feet (3.66m) height and width respectively.
A soccer net of 4 feet (1.22m) by 12 feet (3.66m) should be attached securely on the soccer goal with an extension of about 5 feet (1.52m) behind the goal.
Conclusion
Securing the soccer net properly is important. Since soccer is often played in diverse weather, the last thing you want is the wind blowing the nets around and distracting the goalkeeper in the process.
It is important to note that the size of the soccer net can vary slightly depending on the regulatory body involved. The back of the soccer net can be triangular, curved, or rectangular.
Some goalposts rely on bars at the back of the posts to hold up the nets. This is most useful where space is not an issue.
Freestanding posts usually have their nets permanently attached. On the other hand, socketed goalpost which is approved by the FA for competitive games has removable nets.
While the net is an important part of the goalpost of every soccer game, it is not compulsory for training games—as long as the coach and players are comfortable with it.
Related post: How To Assemble Rawlings Soccer Net?
Hi there, I’m Jay.
Soccer is everything in my life! My friends and I have created this blog with all our enthusiasm, passion, and understanding after years of playing pro soccer. Hope you will enjoy it!