Question:
I have been looking on the internet about soccer goals and the rules about other netting with posts sticking out of the ground and the posts and netting is in the goals is there some kind of rule that says that where there is a goal you have to have so many feet away from a goal for clearance do you understand what I am trying to say???
USSF answer (August 14, 2009):
We are not entirely certain that we understand your question, but here is what the Laws of the Game, the rules we play by, call for. Law 1 (The Field of Play) tells us:
Goals
A goal must be placed on the center of each goal line.
A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft).
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). The goal lines must be of the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be white.Safety
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
The Law does not require netting on the goals. The net is something required by the rules of the competition (league, tournament, etc.).
Other than the corner flag posts (and the optional posts 1 yard/meter from the halfway line, no other posts are allowed anywhere near the field and certainly no netting would be allowed anywhere but on the goals themselves.
If you are asking how far back from the goal frame the netting must be secured — whether “staked back” or hung on a frame, the answer is the same — there is nothing in the Laws of the Game about any of this. The primary emphasis in dealing with equipment the referee finds at any given field is on the safety of that equipment.
