GOAL!

US Youth Soccer
2008 adidas Workshop & Convention
February 7 - 9, 2008
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
Presented By: Pullen Insurance Services, Inc.

Portable Goal Post

Risk Management
Associations must implement portable goal post
safety policy
Policy needs to address:
Portable goal anchoring TECHNIQUES
Inspection prior to each activity portable goals are
frequently moved
Warning of players and parents of dangers of
unsecured goals to include supervision.
Both coaches and parents are RESPONSIBLE for the
supervision of players while on fields.

Portable Goal Post

Risk Management

THREE fatalities reported in 2007

involving unsecured portable goals.

Reducing Goal Post Related

Liability Claims
Eliminate homemade goals. Do not
manufacture or design your own goal posts
Eliminate club owned goals on public property
reduces liability exposure on a 24/7 basis. Let
field owners supply goals
If club owns portable goals on public property,
implement inspection procedures for
maintenance, security, and storage.
Any unanchored goal can be tipped with
catastrophic results.

Reducing Goal Post Claims

Cont.
Never perform any type of installation or
maintenance on the goals. This should be done
by an independent contractor with liability
insurance
Never enter into a lease of premises agreement
with a field owner where the club assumes the
liability for goal posts which it does not own
Perform periodic inspections of all field locations.
Keep records and notify owners in writing of any
deficiencies

Reducing Goal Post Claims

Cont.
Coaches must always inspect goals prior to use
especially when goals are secured with ground anchor
pegs.
Always properly secure portable goals at the conclusion
of play if goal is not anchored in a permanent/semipermanent position.
Never allow horseplay on or around the goals.
Goals need to ALWAYS be anchored when they are in an
upright position.
Coaches and parents must supervise all activities. It is a
shared responsibility. Get the message out!

Outdoor Portable Goal Anchoring

Techniques
Semi Permanent Ground Anchors

I.

Base of anchor and not goal frame secured in ground by

concrete
Best option
Good for all soil types

Portable Anchor Pegs

II.

12 & 16 lengths
Convenient but only for the proper soil condition
Soil Type hard or clay

Portable Anchor Pegs

III.

Convenient
15 length
Sandy soil conditions

Goal Safety Guideline Standards

I.

Consumer Product Safety Commission

www.cpsc.gov/

II.

First to raise issue of homemade goals

Safe handling and storage guidelines

American Society for Testing and Materials

www.astm.org

ASTM F1938-98 highlights installation, use and

storage of full size goals
ASTM F2056-00 specifies safety and performance
requirements to reduce chances of injury and
fatalities

Proper Goal Inspection

Look/Check
Anchors
Hardware
Structural integrity
Nets
Warning Labels
Storage

Proper Goal Inspection

Anchors:

Proper anchor bag placement

Poor anchor bag placement

Properly anchored goal

Unanchored goal

Proper Goal Inspection

Hardware:

Proper Goal Inspection

Structural
Integrity:

Cracked welds

Corners in good shape

Proper Goal Inspection

Nets:

Proper Goal Inspection

Warning Labels:

Proper Goal Inspection

Storage:

-Goal inspection pictures courtesy of: KWIKGOAL

-Safety Resource Guide: KWIKGOAL Safety 1st Program
www.kwikgoal.com/safety_first.shtml