One of the major pieces of soccer equipment that is required to be on the pitch during gameplay is the net. It was introduced by John Alexander Brodiein in 1890. Its relevance cannot be overemphasized – without its placement, goal dispute would have long ended the entertainment aspect of the sport.
Soccer net safely secures soccer balls. Since high-velocity shots are often fired towards the goal, it’s safe to say the net acts to halt further movement towards the spectators.
The mesh size of the net is designed in a way that it’s not too big to allow balls through but moderate enough to stop ball movement.
Moreover, having a properly attached soccer net helps to determine if a goal was scored or not. Even with nets, some goals are often disputed and would need goal-line technology for clarification. Imagine what would have been obtainable if nets were not included in soccer.
Soccer net comes in different sizes and qualities and needs to be attached to some equipment to make it stand.
With a proper understanding of its importance in soccer, this article will help teach you how best to attach a net in soccer for your next game.
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Factors To Consider When Attaching A Soccer Net
Before we delve right into how to attach soccer nets, it’s imperative you know how to purchase high-quality nets as well as factors to consider before rushing out to attach them.
So here are some factors to consider when purchasing a soccer net.
Dimension of the goal post
Since it is common knowledge that soccer has several variants, it’s best to acquaint oneself with the various dimensions of the goal post. Since indoor and outdoor soccer differs in field size, you should clarify the size of the goal post you’ll be netting.
Age of the players
Ever noticed how wide the goal post is – with 11vs11 in mind? Well, you don’t expect kid soccer players to use the same size as older professional players.
Know the age groups you’ll be working with or that’ll be using the goal post before considering buying a net. It’s better to discover the perfect sizes for different age groups so that their skills can be honed. This will also enable them to enjoy playing soccer and be better players.
The player’s level of expertise
After considering the age group of the players to determine the size of the net to purchase, also take note of the player’s level of expertise. Some players might be too big in age for a small-sized net, however, they might be amateur in the field.
Soccer is a game played by many with different levels of expertise. The most popular of players are those we refer to as professional players. In the same vein, there are amateur players.
Know the level of players that’ll be using the net. What has this got to do with soccer nets? The higher the level of expertise, the stronger the net material should be.
The size of the rope
How dense do you want the rope to be when attaching it to your soccer net? If you go for low-end soccer nets, their ropes are cheap and they are 2mm thick.
However, high-end nets are preferable; they are resilient to absorb tough shots and fall within 3 mm to 3.5mm. For players within the range of 12 and above, they can use a 3 mm net and its rope since the rope of 2 mm net wears quickly.
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The size of the mesh
How thick a soccer net mesh is will influence how long it will last. However, a standard soccer net mesh is 120mm in size. Closer knitted nets range from 3.5 inches to 5.5 inches.
What’s your budget?
Before you step out to get that amazing soccer net for installation, have a budget in mind to work with. The price of nets varies in their different sizes. So if you’re going for larger nets, have the right budget for it.
The longevity of the soccer net
Knowing the lifespan of the net during the time of purchase helps you know if it’s worth buying at all. Go for nets that will serve you better with a longer lifespan.
Over the years, a lot of advancement has been made on soccer nets through various attachment methods like clips and bars to the goal post. Velcro strips are another alternative to attach the nets to the poles.
- Size -- 24ft x 8ft x 3.3ft x 8.2ft （ Width x Height x Top Depth x Bottom Depth）
- Material -- Polyethylene Twine, PE (polyethylene) smells well, non-toxic, chemically stable and...
- Enjoy Your Game -- Fit for 11 people, the game can be easier to organized. Net edge hemmed for long...
Last update on 2023-11-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How To Attach A Soccer Net?
Now that you’ve purchased the right net, we can proceed along to attach them. It’s imperative that the net is attached properly or its purpose is defeated. Here are the steps on how to attach a soccer net.
Step 1: Dig up the goal post holes
Dig up holes that’ll hold the vertical poles of the goal post. This is a mandatory step to firmly hold the goal post in place.
To have the same firmness on both sides, dig holes that are appropriately measured. You can do it manually or mechanically based on the texture of the field.
Manual digging takes a little more time than digging mechanically. For large-scale, heavily funded projects like this, a hydro-vac excavator can be used, especially on a rocky field. Each hole should have a diameter of about 16″ and a depth of around 45″.
Step 2: Get your concrete mix ready
Concrete is sticky when mixed at a low water to cement ratio. Make a good mixture of concrete to allow for better strength when cured.
With the right mix, you have poles that’ll stand firmly for longer periods. For this reason, ensure you get your measurements right.
Step 3: Anchor the net
The standard dimension of a soccer goalpost is 24 feet between the vertical poles and 8 feet from the insides of the crossbar to the ground. Knowing this helps you get the right net size.
Anchoring the net to the goal posts holds it in place from the effects of winds, human disturbance, and ball strikes. Whatever material you choose to use as an anchor, ensure it holds the net firmly in place.
Here are some different types of anchors to use:
Semi-Permanent Anchors
Just like the name implies, it offers a stronger hold of the net and isn’t a permanent fix. It can be attached to concrete with a bolt or leash on different types of fields.
Ground sleeve
It is fully attached to the ground with concrete but it gives room for the enlarged goal post to slide into its sleeve. To keep the goal post firmly held to the sleeve, bolted nuts can be used.
Portable ground anchors
This anchor contains three features; above ground, below ground, and lock in safety. The above-ground anchor consists of anchor bags and anchor weights. Both are adaptable, cheap to purchase, positioned on the goal post, and loaded with sand. They are also known as sandbag anchors.
However, the below-ground anchor consists of the Ground Pegs and Portable Auger Anchors. The former is suitable for soils with higher density while the latter is ideal for sandy soil due to its corkscrew configuration.
Meanwhile, the lock-in safety anchor incorporates the use of ropes and keyed locks to station the goal post in its place. Though it’s attached to the ground, it doesn’t make use of concrete. Instead, it is roped to the bottom of the goal post and secured.
Step 4: Place the soccer net on the goal frame
For easy and uniformed attachment, it’s recommended you ask someone for assistance. Let the surface of the net rest over the crossbar and expand it to its sides.
With the net held at both sides of goalposts, let the back of the net fall freely on the support bar extending backward on each pole. Trim a 2 feet piece of rope and ensure that the middle of the net and goal post are tied, while your partner perfectly fits the net on the body of the support bar.
At the end of this step, the net should have been laid to take the shape of goalposts and supporting bars.
Step 5: Tie all sides of the net
This is the most important step when attaching a net. Get this wrong and goals will become disputable as a result of leakages.
Get ropes or tapes to firmly attach each mesh to the adjoining pole. It’s best to secure each mesh to avoid creating gaps along the poles.
You can start by securing the crossbar. Then make your way to either side of the vertical poles. This may take some time but it’s best to do it properly. Ask the person who assisted before to help you with this task.
When the crossbar and vertical poles have been attached, move along the supporting bars behind and attach the net along the slanted poles.
However, there are situations whereby little hooks are fastened to the net to make it firm. Non-fixed goal posts on the other hand need a rope tied all around to the bottom of the net. Before doing this, it is necessary to pull the net firm and fasten every piece of rope.
Conclusion
Although attaching a soccer net might seem like a Herculean task, however, with all the steps explained above, it can be done adequately. Moreover, also note that some factors must be considered when purchasing the ideal soccer net you want to attach. Ignoring these factors might be adverse to the duration of the goal post and subsequent games.
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!