Knowing how to install a soccer goal net starts with a tape measure: a 6×4 net fits a goal 72 in (183 cm) wide and 48 in (122 cm) high inside the posts, while a full-size goal is 8 yd x 8 ft (24 x 8 ft). Hang the net from the center of the crossbar outward, fasten the posts and ground bar, then make sure the frame is anchored before anyone shoots.
Both the Regpre 6×4 soccer goal replacement nets 2-pack and the single Regpre 6×4 soccer net are net only, with no frame, posts, ties or clips, so have fasteners ready before you start.
How to install a soccer goal net, step by step
Fasten the net’s top edge to the middle of the crossbar first, then the corners, both posts and the ground bar, with a tie every 2–3 mesh squares. On about 120 mm (4.7 in) mesh, that puts ties roughly 9.5–14 in (24–36 cm) apart. You also need zip ties or hook-and-loop straps, side cutters and a tape measure.
- Strip the old net and check the frame. Cut away old ties; replace cracked or missing frame parts first.
- Find the top center. Pick the edge that matches the crossbar (72 in on a 6×4) and mark its middle.
- Hang the top edge from the center out. Fasten the middle first, then the two corners, then fill in between so slack can’t drift to one side.
- Run down each post. Work top to bottom at the same spacing, keeping mesh rows level.
- Close the back and bottom. Fasten the rest to the net supports and ground bar so no ball rolls underneath.
- Even it out and trim. The top edge should run straight with slight, even slack below. Trim tie tails flush and turn the cut ends to the back.
- Anchor and inspect. Stake or weight the frame as its maker specifies and check it doesn’t rock.
How many ties does a 6×4 net need?
Plan on one tie per 9.5 in (24 cm) of frame edge, which is every second 120 mm mesh square:
| Edge | Length | Ties |
|---|---|---|
| Crossbar | 72 in (183 cm) | 8 |
| Two posts | 2 x 48 in (122 cm) | 10 |
| Rear ground bar | 72 in (183 cm) | 8 |
| Main edges | 240 in (610 cm) | about 26 |
Add ties for side and depth bars, which vary by frame, plus spares: plan on roughly 30–40 in all.
How to set up a soccer goal net so it stays put
A net does not hold a goal down, so the frame under it must be anchored or weighted; the CPSC advises anchoring or counterweighting movable soccer goals at all times.
The CPSC’s Guidelines for Movable Soccer Goals are written for full-size or nearly full-size goals, which it says typically weigh 150–500 pounds, but its core points apply to any frame:
- Anchor or weight the goal whenever it is up, using the stakes, anchors or weights its maker specifies. On hard surfaces such as artificial turf, the CPSC suggests sandbags or other counterweights.
- Net pegs hold the net, not the goal. The CPSC says tapered net pegs should secure only the net and should not be used to anchor the goal.
- No climbing or hanging. The CPSC says never let anyone climb on the net or frame, and notes high winds can also tip goals over.
- Check the hardware before every use and replace damaged or missing parts or fasteners right away.
- Remove the net when the goal is not in use, and set goals up only on level ground.
If you take the net down after most sessions, use hook-and-loop straps: they open by hand, while zip ties must be cut off and replaced every time.
How big is a soccer goal net? Sizes by age
Nets match their frame: a full-size goal is 24 x 8 ft, and U.S. Soccer caps goals for ages 8 and under at 4 ft high by 6 ft wide. The youth goal limits are the U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer maximums as listed by Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer, the ball sizes come from AYSO’s ball-size table, and the full-size row is IFAB Law 1.
| Age group | Format | Maximum goal (height x width) | Ball size |
|---|---|---|---|
| U6, U7, U8 | 4v4 | 4 x 6 ft | 3 |
| U9, U10 | 7v7 | 6.5 x 18.5 ft | 4 |
| U11, U12 | 9v9 | 7 x 21 ft | 4 |
| Full size | Laws of the Game | 8 ft x 8 yd (2.44 x 7.32 m), or 8 x 24 ft | — |
Youth sizes are maximums for organized play. The CPSC describes a typical full-size movable goal as about 24 ft wide, 8 ft high and 6 ft deep.
Soccer goal net size: 6×4 and 4×6 are the same goal
U.S. Soccer writes goal sizes height first, so its 4 x 6 ft goal is 4 ft high and 6 ft wide, while backyard nets are often labeled width first, as 6×4. Both mean a 72 x 48 in opening; on every goal in the table, the larger number is the width.
How to measure a soccer goal net and frame
Measure four things: the inside width between the posts, the height from the ground to the underside of the crossbar, the top depth and the bottom depth. IFAB measures a full-size goal the same way, between the inside of the posts and from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground.
| Measurement | Where to put the tape | Example frame (yours will differ) |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Inside of one post to inside of the other, at the crossbar and at ground level | 72 in (183 cm) at both points |
| Height | Ground to the underside of the crossbar, beside each post | 48 in (122 cm) |
| Top depth | Back of the crossbar to the rear top bar or the end of the net supports | 24 in (61 cm) |
| Bottom depth | Front of the posts back to the rear ground bar | 36 in (91 cm) |
This example frame takes a 6×4 net. A width within about an inch of 72 in still means a 6 ft frame, but two different width readings point to a bent post. Our 6×4 nets are specified by their 72 x 48 in front opening with no depth listed, so on a deep or unusually shaped frame, compare both depths with the old net before ordering.
Why a 6×8 frame can’t take a 6×4 net
A 6×8 goal has a 48 sq ft opening, double the 24 sq ft of a 6×4. In the usual 8 ft wide x 6 ft high layout that is 96 x 72 in, so a 72 x 48 in net falls 24 in (61 cm) short in both width and height. Tension can’t close a 2 ft gap; buy the net labeled for the size you measured.
Which ball sizes a 120 mm mesh net will stop
Our Regpre 6×4 nets have about 120 mm (4.7 in) square mesh, which suits size 4 and size 5 balls; a smaller size 3 ball may slip through. The single net’s spec states that rating, the 2-pack has the same nominal mesh, and the ball-size age bands below follow AYSO’s table.
| Main players | Ball size | About 120 mm mesh? |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 8 and under (6U, 8U) | Size 3 | Some shots may pass through; look for finer mesh if that matters |
| Ages 9 to 12 (10U, 12U) | Size 4 | Suits it |
| Ages 13 and up (14U and older) | Size 5 | Suits it |
The catch: a 6×4 frame is exactly the U.S. Soccer goal limit for U6 to U8, and AYSO puts players 8 and under on a size 3 ball. If kids 8 and under do most of the shooting, expect some balls to go through; with a size 4 or 5 ball, the net does the job.
What is a soccer goal net called?
It is usually just called a goal net or soccer net; the IFAB Laws of the Game call the frame a goal and the mesh nets. The parts you’ll see named on spares:
- Goalposts and crossbar: IFAB defines a goal as two vertical posts joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
- Ground bar: the bar along the ground at the back, where the bottom of the net is fastened.
- Net supports: angled or curved tubes that hold the net out behind the goal mouth.
- Replacement net: a net sold without the frame, which is what both Regpre 6×4 nets are.
Compare the two nets on our 6×4 soccer net replacement page, browse more team-sport spares in sports and outdoors, and if a field hockey stick in the same kit bag has a worn handle, see how to regrip a field hockey stick.
Step by step
- Strip the old net and check the frame
Cut away the old ties, keep clips worth reusing and replace any cracked or missing frame parts before fitting the new net.
- Find the top center of the net
Spread the net out, find the edge that matches the crossbar (72 in on a 6x4) and mark its middle.
- Hang the top edge from the center out
Fasten the middle of the top edge to the middle of the crossbar, then the two corners, then fill in between so tension stays even.
- Fasten each post
Work down both sides from top to bottom with a tie every 2–3 mesh squares, keeping the mesh rows level.
- Close the back and bottom
Attach the remaining edges to the rear frame or net supports and the ground bar so no ball can roll underneath.
- Even the tension and trim the ties
Check from the front that the top edge runs straight, pull ties snug, trim the tails flush and turn the cut ends to the back.
- Anchor the frame before play
Stake or weight the goal the way its maker specifies and confirm it doesn't rock; never let anyone climb on it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you attach a soccer net to a goal without clips?
Loop zip ties or hook-and-loop straps through the edge mesh and around the frame tube. Neither Regpre 6x4 net includes fasteners, so buy them separately or reuse sound clips from the old net. Zip ties hold firmly but must be cut to remove; straps undo by hand.
Is a 4x6 soccer net the same as a 6x4 net?
Usually, yes. U.S. Soccer's youth standards list goal sizes height first, while many backyard nets list width first, so both mean 6 ft wide and 4 ft high. If your frame measures 72 in between the posts and 48 in to the crossbar, a 6x4 net fits.
What size soccer goal does a 6 or 7 year old need?
U.S. Soccer and US Youth Soccer cap goals at 4 ft high by 6 ft wide for U6 through U8, who play 4v4. A 6x4 backyard frame meets that limit. AYSO puts players this age on a size 3 ball, which may pass through 120 mm mesh.
How tight should a soccer goal net be?
The top edge should run straight along the crossbar and the sides should not bunch, while the body keeps a little slack so it catches the ball instead of springing it back. Fastening from the center of the crossbar outward is the easiest way to keep that tension even.
Should I leave the net on the goal all year?
The CPSC advises removing nets when goals are not in use and fully taking goals apart for seasonal storage. Keep the net dry and out of direct sun while it is off the frame, and use hook-and-loop straps if you put it up and take it down often.
Can net pegs hold a soccer goal down?
No. The CPSC says tapered net pegs are for securing the net to the ground, not for anchoring the goal. Anchor the frame with the stakes, anchors or weights its maker specifies; on hard surfaces such as artificial turf, the CPSC points to sandbags or other counterweights.
How big is a full-size soccer goal net?
It has to cover a goal 24 ft (7.32 m) wide and 8 ft (2.44 m) high, the size set in IFAB Law 1, and the CPSC describes typical full-size movable goals as about 6 ft deep. A 6x4 net covers one-eighth of that opening, so the two are never interchangeable.
