Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goal Safety
CPSC Document #326
January 1995
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, D.C. 20207
NOTE: This is a text document. As such, it does not contain
the figures, illustrations or sample warning labels
referenced. An electronic or fax version of this publication
containing these illustrations is not currently available.
To obtain a printed copy with this additional information,
send a postcard to:
Soccer Goal Guidelines
Publication #CPSC 326"
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, DC 20207
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Soccer Goal Injuries
3. Rules of Soccer
4. Design/Construction Guidelines
5. Anchoring/Securing/Counterweighting Guidelines
6. Goal Storage Guidelines
7. Conclusions
APPENDICES
Appendix A - List of Soccer Organizations
Appendix B - For Further Information
Appendix C - Warning Labels
1. Introduction
This handbook presents guidelines for the installation, use
and storage of full-size or nearly full-size movable soccer
goals. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
believes these guidelines can help prevent deaths and serious
injuries resulting from soccer goal tipover. Publication of the
handbook is intended to promote greater safety awareness
among those who purchase, install, use, and maintain movable
soccer goals.
These guidelines are intended for use by parks and
recreation personnel, school officials, sports equipment
purchasers, parents, coaches, and any other members of the
general public concerned with soccer goal safety.
These guidelines are intended to address the risk of
movable soccer goal tipover. They are not a CPSC standard, nor
are they mandatory requirements. Therefore, the Commission
does not endorse them as the sole method to minimize injuries
associated with soccer goals.
2. Soccer Goal Injuries and Deaths
According to the 1994 National Soccer Participation Survey
(Soccer Industry Council of America), over 16 million persons in
the United States play soccer at least once a year. Seventy-four
percent (over 12 million) of these persons are under the age of
18. Soccer ranks fourth in participation for those under 18,
following basketball, volleyball, and softball and well ahead of
baseball, which has an annual participation of 9.7 million.
There are approximately 225,000 to 500,000 soccer goals in
the United States. Many of these soccer goals are unsafe because
they are unstable and are either unanchored or not properly
anchored or counter-balanced. These movable soccer goals
pose an unnecessary risk of tipover to children who climb on
goals (or nets) or hang from the crossbar.
The CPSC knows of four deaths in 1990 alone and at least 21
deaths during the past 16 years (1979-1994) associated with
movable soccer goals. In addition, an estimated 120 injuries
involving falling goals were treated each year in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms during the period 1989 through 1993. Many of the
serious incidents occurred when the soccer goals tipped over onto
the victim. Almost all of the goals involved in these tipovers
appeared to be home-made by high school shop classes, custodial
members, or local welders, not professionally manufactured. These
home-made goals are often very heavy and unstable.
The majority of movable soccer goals are constructed of
metal, typically weighing 150-500 pounds. The serious injuries
and deaths are a result of blunt force trauma to the head, neck,
chest, and limbs of the victims. In most cases this occurred when
the goal tipped or was accidentially tipped onto the victim. In
one case an 8-year-old child was fatally injured when the movable
soccer goal he was climbing tipped over and struck him on the
head. In another case, a 20-year-old male died from a massive
head trauma when he pulled a goal down on himself while
attempting to do chin-ups. In a third case, while attempting to
tighten a net to its goal post, the victims father lifted the
back base of the goal causing it to tip over striking his
3-year-old child on the head, causing a fatal injury.
High winds can also cause movable soccer goals to fall over.
For example, a 9-year-old was fatally injured when a goal was
tipped over by a gust of wind. In another incident, a 19-year-old
goalie suffered stress fractures to both legs when the soccer
goal was blown on top of her.
3. Rules of Soccer
From the Federation of Internationale De Football
Associations (FIFA) Laws of the Game, Guide for Referees, July
1993.
"Goal-posts and cross-bars must be made of wood, metal, or
other approved material as decided from time to time by the
International Football Association Board. They may be
square, rectangular, round. half round, or elliptical in
shape."
"Goal-posts and cross-bars made of other materials and in
other shapes are not permitted. The goal-posts must be white
in color."
"The width and depth of the cross-bar shall not exceed 5
inches(12 cm)."
From the National Federation of State High School
Associations' (NFSHSA) 1994-95 National Federation Edition-Soccer
Rules Book.
"They shall consist of 2 upright (posts) 4 inches but not
more than 5 inches (0.10m by 0.12m)...the tops of the posts
shall be joined by a 4 inches but not more than 5 inches
(0.10m by 0.12m) horizontal crossbar..."
From the National Collegiate Athletic Associations (NCAA)
Rules for Soccer.
"...and shall consist of two wooden or metal posts, ...the
width or diameter of the goal-posts and crossbar shall not
be less than 4 inches (10.16 cm) nor more than 5 inches
(12.7 cm)."
4. Design/Construction Guidelines
While a movable soccer goal appears to be a simple
structure, a correctly designed goal is carefully constructed
with counterbalancing measures incorporated into the product. The
common dimensions of a full-size goal are approximately 7.3 m (24
ft.) in width by 2.4 m (8 ft.) in height and 1.8 m (6 ft.) in
depth (see Figure 1). The stability of a soccer goal depends on
several factors. One effective design alternative uses a
counterbalancing strategy by lengthening the overall depth of the
goal to effectively place more weight further from the goals
front posts (more weight at the back of the goal). A second
design selects lightweight materials for the goals front posts
and crossbar and provides much heavier materials for the rear
ground bar and frame members. This tends to counterbalance the
forces working to tip the goal forward. Another design uses a
heavy rear framework and folds flat when not in use, making the
goal much less likley to tip over. Finally, after these
various designs are considered, it is imperative that ALL movable
soccer goals be anchored firmly in place at all times (see
section 5).
5. Anchoring/Securing/Counterweighting Guidelines
A properly anchored/counterweighted movable soccer goal is
much less likely to tip over. Remember to secure the goal to the
ground (preferably at the rear of the goal), making sure
the anchors are flush with the ground and clearly visible. It is
IMPERATIVE that ALL movable soccer goals are always anchored
properly (see Figure 2). There are several different ways to
secure your soccer goal. The number and type of anchors to be
used will depend on a number of factors, such as soil type, soil
moisture content, and total goal weight.
Anchor Types
* Auger style
This style anchor is "helical" shaped and is screwed into
the ground. A flange is positioned over the ground shoes (bar)
and rear ground shoe (bar) to secure them to the ground. A
minimum of two auger-style anchors (one on each side of the goal)
are recommended. More may be required, depending on the
manufacturers specifications, the weight of the goal, and
soil conditions.
* Semipermanent
This anchor type is usually comprised of two or more
functional components. The main support requires a permanently
secured base that is buried underground. One type (3.2a) of
semipermanent anchor connects the underground base to the soccer
goal by means of 2 tethers. Another design (3.2b) utilizes a
buried anchor tube with a threaded opening at ground level.
The goal is positioned over the buried tube and the bolt is
passed through the goal ground shoes (bar) and rear ground shoe
(bar) and screwed into the threaded hole of the buried tube.
* Peg or Stake style (varying lengths)
Typically two to four pegs or stakes are used per goal (more
for heavier goals) (Figure 3.3). The normal length of a peg or
stake is approximately 10 inches (250mm). Care should be
taken when installing pegs or stakes. Pegs or stakes should be
driven into the ground with a sledge-hammer as far as possible
and at an angle if possible, through available holes in the
ground shoes (bar) and rear ground shoe (bar) to secure them to
the ground. If the peg or stake is not flush with the ground, it
should be clearly visible to persons playing near the soccer
goal. Stakes with larger diameters or textured surfaces have
greater holding capacity.
* J-Hook Shaped Stake style
This style is used when holes are not pre-drilled into the
ground shoes (bars) or rear ground shoe (bar) of the goal.
Similar to the peg or stake style, this anchor is hammered, at an
angle if possible, directly into the earth. The curved (top)
portion of this anchor fits over the goal member to secure it to
the ground (Figure 3.4). Typically, two to four stakes of this
type are recommended (per goal), depending on stake structure,
manufacturers specifications, weight of goal, and soil
conditions. Stakes with larger diameters or textured surfaces
have greater holding capacity.
* Sandbags/Counterweights
Sandbags or other counterweights could be an effective
alternative on hard surfaces, such as artificial turf, where the
surface can not be penetrated by a conventional anchor (i.e., an
indoor practice facility) (Figure 3.5). The number of bags or
weights needed will vary and must be adequate for the size and
total weight of the goal being supported.
* Net Pegs
These tapered, metal stakes should be used to secure only
the NET to the ground (Figure 3.6). Net pegs should NOT be used
to anchor the movable soccer goal 6. Guidelines for Goal Storage
or Securing When Goal is Not in Use The majority of the incidents
investigated by CPSC did not occur during a soccer match. Most of
the incidents occurred when the goals were unattended. Therefore,
it is imperative that all goals are stored properly when not
being used. When goals are not being used always:
a) Remove the net,
b) Take appropriate steps to secure goals such as:
1) Place the goal frames face to face and secure them at
each goalpost with a lock and chain (see Figure 4.1),
2)Lock and chain to a suitable fixed structure such as a
permanent fence (see Figure 4.2),
3)Lock unused goals in a secure storage room after each use,
4)If applicable, fully disassemble the goals for seasonal
storage, or
5) If applicable, fold the face of the goal down and lock it
to its base.
7. Conclusions/Safety Tips
* Securely anchor or counterweight movable soccer goals at ALL
times (see prior illustration).
* Anchor or chain one goal to another, to itself in a folded
down position, or to nearby fence posts, dugouts, or any other
similar sturdy fixture when not in use. If this is not practical,
store movable soccer goals in a place where children cannot have
access to them.
* Remove nets when goals are not in use.
* Check for structural integrity and proper connecting
hardware before every use. Replace damaged or missing parts or
fasteners immediately.
* NEVER allow anyone to climb on the net or goal framework.
* Ensure safety/warning labels (see Appendix C) are clearly
visible (placed under the crossbar and on the sides of the
down-posts at eye level).
* Fully disassemble goals for seasonal storage.
* Always exercise extreme caution when moving goals and allow
adequate manpower to move goals of varied sizes and weights.
Movable soccer goals should only be moved by authorized and
trained personnel.
* Always instruct players on the safe handling of and
potential dangers associated with movable soccer goals.
* Movable soccer goals should only be used on LEVEL (flat)
fields.
Appendix A. List of Soccer Organizations
Federation of Internationale De Football Association
Hitzigweg 11, 8030
Zurich, Switzerland
Telephone 41-1-384-9595
National Federation of State High School Associations
11724 NW Plaza Circle
Box 20626
Kansas City, Missouri 64195-0626
Telephone (816) 464-5400
National Collegiate Athletic Association
6201 College Blvd
Overland Park, Kansas 66211-2422
Telephone (913) 339-1906
APPENDIX B. For Further Information
For further information on soccer goal anchors and/or to obtain
FREE soccer goal warning labels (see Appendix C), safety
alerts/bulletins and additional copies of this document, please
contact:
The Coalition to Promote Soccer Goal Safety
c/oSoccer Industry Council of America
200 Castlewood Dr.
North Plam Beach, FL 33408
or call any of these Coalition members:
800-527-7510
800-334-4625
800-243-0533
800-531-4252
or write: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Washington, D.C. 20207