Goal Safety

Movable soccer goals can fall over and kill children who climb on them or hang from the crossbar. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has reports of at least 24 deaths since 1979 resulting from soccer goals falling over. In addition, an estimated 120 injuries involving falling goals are treated each year in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.

Almost all of the goals involved in these tip overs appeared to be "homemade" by high school shop classes, custodial members, or local welders, not professionally manufactured. These "homemade" goals are often very heavy and unstable.

Since 1990, the CPSC has worked with the Coalition to Promote Soccer Goal Safety to address risks presented by these soccer goals and to make movable soccer goals more stable. The Commission and the Coalition strongly recommend that soccer coaches, school officials, and soccer field maintenance personnel prevent goals falling over by anchoring goals to the ground. They should chain goals to a fence or permanent structure when not in use and warn students not to climb on goals.

Follow These Safety Suggestions/Guidelines:

Securely anchor or counter-weight movable goals at all times.
Never climb on the net or goal framework.
Remove nets when goals are not in use.
Anchor or chain goals to nearby fence posts, dugouts, or any other similar sturdy fixture when not in use.
Check all connecting hardware before every use. Replace damaged or missing fasteners immediately.
Ensure safety labels are clearly visible.
Fully disassemble goals for seasonal storage.
Always use extreme caution when moving goals.
Always instruct players on the safe handling of and potential dangers associated with movable soccer goals.
Use movable soccer goals only on level (flat) fields.

Click here to download the complete Goal Safety Manual

To get more information on soccer goal anchors or to get free soccer goal warning labels, contact the Coalition to Promote Soccer Goal Safety at the Soccer Industry Council of America, 200 Castlewood Dr, North Palm Beach,
FL 33408, USA.

Click here to download the complete Soccer Safety Manual.