On this blog I really like to focus on how to build the skills of our young players and build their love of the beautiful game.   Part of that appreciation is to take care in being safe on the field.  You probably think of shin guards and goalie gloves and maybe some athletic tape or a first aid kit.   Do not overlook the safety of what is on the field.  The soccer goals themselves.

You may think that soccer goals are big and heavy and if you are a coach you may dread moving them at the beginning and end of the season.  However, nothing, and I mean nothing is more important than making sure that the goals you are playing with on the field are well staked down or anchored to the field.   Every year there are children in the United States that are killed by goal posts falling on them. This may not happen during the course of normal soccer play.  It may happen as children sometimes do silly things like climbing up the nets and the goal happens to topple over.  Make sure your fields are safe.  Before you begin play inspect the soccer pitch and make sure the goals are staked.  If they are not then go use a different field and alert the administration or groundskeeper. 

Recently a law was passed in Illinois specifically as a result of a tragedy. The law is a result of the events on October 2003, 6-year-old Zach Tran, a first-grader at Hawthorn Option School, died of head injuries suffered when an 18-foot-by-6-foot, 186-pound soccer goal toppled and struck him from behind while he was practicing with his greater Libertyville Soccer Association team.

I know it doesn’t seem possible because the goals can weigh so much, but goals for younger players are much lighter and more prone to tip.   But be safe out there.   If your club is strapped for funds see if you can find a local welder to cut and bend you some re-bar pieces to use as stakes.   They can be quite affordable if made in that fashion.

Random Posts

• Soccer Drills for Cuts and Fakes
• Dave Matthews Band – Saturn Soccer Jersey Long Sleeve
• Soccer Drills For Kids And Energizing A Lazy Team
• Colorado Rapids 2010 Home Youth Soccer Jersey