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Field Setup & Nets

How to Set Up the Soccer Field & Nets

You get the goals, nets, and corner flags ready before kickoff. It's mostly muscle and lining things up on marks that are already painted — and there's exactly one rule you can't skip: anchor every goal before anyone goes near it.

Level
Anyone can do it
Time
About 45 minutes before the first game
Goal size
8 yards (24 ft) wide x 8 ft tall — line posts up on the hash marks
Net depth
At least 5 feet deep
Corner flags
4, non-pointed tops, at least 5 ft / chest-high
The one rule
Anchor every goal before anyone touches it

Quick start

  1. 1

    Walk the pitch first

    Pick up rocks, glass, and anything sharp, and cap any exposed sprinkler heads. Two minutes here prevents a scraped knee later.

  2. 2

    Roll the goals onto the marks

    Each goal sits dead center on its end line. Line the posts up with the painted hash marks so the goal is square — don't eyeball the 8-yard width.

  3. 3

    Hang and tuck the nets

    Loop each net onto the hooks and tuck the back edge into the ground sleeve so it hangs five feet deep and won't catch the keeper's feet.

  4. 4

    Anchor every goal

    Augers, stakes, or sandbags — whatever the club has. This is the step you never skip. An unanchored goal can tip and crush a kid.

  5. 5

    Plant the four corner flags

    One in each corner, non-pointed top, about chest height. Now the field is game-ready.

Watch first

Watch: How to anchor a portable soccer goal safelyWhy anchoring is non-negotiable, plus net hanging and anchor methods.Watch: Setting up a soccer goal and netShort videos showing net hanging and corner-flag placement.

Setting up a soccer field looks like a lot, but it's really just a handful of things in order: clear the grass, place the goals, hang the nets, anchor everything, and drop the corner flags. You don't need to measure anything to the inch — the touchlines, goal lines, and hash marks are already painted. Your job is to put the equipment on top of them, safely, before the players arrive.

  1. 1

    Arrive ~45 min early

    Grab the goals, nets, flags, and anchors from the shed or trailer.

  2. 2

    Walk and clear the field

    Remove rocks, glass, and debris; cap any exposed sprinkler heads.

  3. 3

    Place each goal on its goal line

    Center it on the line, posts on the hash marks (8 yards / 24 ft apart).

  4. 4

    Hang the nets

    Hook the net on, tuck the back into the ground sleeve, ~5 ft deep.

  5. 5

    Anchor both goals

    Drive stakes / screw in augers / set sandbags, then tug-test before you walk away.

  6. 6

    Plant 4 corner flags

    One per corner, non-pointed top, chest height. Step back and check the goal looks square.

Goal mouth
8 yds (24 ft) wide x 8 ft tall
Net depth
5 ft minimum
Corner flag height
At least ~5 ft, non-pointed top
People needed
~4 to move a portable goal safely
  • Field walked and cleared of debris
  • Both goals centered on the goal lines
  • Nets hung and tucked, no gaps
  • Every goal anchored and tug-tested
  • Four corner flags planted
  • Spare anchors and tools returned to the shed

Sources: IFAB Laws of the Game, Law 1 (The Field of Play); U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission — Movable Soccer Goal Safety; US Youth Soccer