Soccer is undoubtedly the world’s favorite sport, with its popularity encompassing most if not all countries across every continent. In this globally embraced game, not much equipment is needed to successfully conduct a match. All you need are your cleats, shin protection, two soccer goals at each end, and a ball.

While playing the full “11 players per side” game is ideal, it is not always possible to gather 22 players into one pitch. On top of that, a standard pitch of 80 yards by 120 yards is not always a possibility. As such, a small group of soccer aficionados would find it difficult to satisfy their craving for the beautiful game. In a diverse sporting country as America especially, not many fields are dedicated exclusively to soccer and its usually immovable goals. Shoes, balls, and gear can certainly be carried around easily, but two goals?

Finally, the answer came in the form of portable soccer goals. This development has certainly boosted the possibilities of enjoying the world’s beloved game, as small-sided scrimmages have become possible. Whether at a relatively small patch of land or a vast stretch of beach, soccer loving groups can now play the sport in just about anywhere!

Carry along goals can be foldable, pop-up soccer goals, or dismantled into parts. The sizes range from small ones that are appropriate for children’s games, to even international standard sizes.

Like a long awaited blessing, portable soccer goals have greatly promoted the enjoyment of soccer. With a folding soccer goal that can be easily set up anywhere, fast paced pick-up games can be set up, maintaining competitiveness by providing a definitive space where points are scored – useful in such games when rules are relaxed and referees are seldom present.

Training for the game has been given a leg-up as well. With portable goals, individuals and teams alike can refine their game. Dedicated players can sharpen their skills with the ball and their sense for scoring goals by just simply pitching a portable soccer goal in the yard. As well, teams seeking to solidify their collective skills and set plays can make use of as many portable goals as necessary in their drills and training programs. And since “portable” can also mean smaller than the standard 24 feet wide by 8 feet high goal dimensions, portable soccer goals can help improve accuracy and challenge a player’s creativity with the limited space it provides.

However, with the incidences of death resulting from the somewhat unstable quality portable soccer goals can have, certain regulations and cautions have been put in place. In Australia, serious injuries and deaths of children as young as three years old have been attributed to the accidental tipping over of portable goals.

As such, safety precautions have been disseminated. These include anchoring the portable goals or placing counterweights to balance the heavy crossbar. Goals should be tested thoroughly before use for tendencies to fall over and if potentially hazardous, should be labeled with warnings. Players should also be warned of the potential dangers posed by portable soccer goals. After games, the equipment should be disassembled or folded back and stored away.

Most importantly, these goals should only be used according to its intended use. Doing chin-ups on the crossbar, clambering up and down the net, or monkeying around with the goal are not the proper ways of using portable soccer equipment. Ensuring that your portable soccer goals are used only for sporting purposes will go a long way in keeping soccer the enjoyable sport that it is, while minimizing accidents and other dangers.