DIY Network

Building a Soccer Field Michael Strahan builds a backyard soccer goal and some unique practice hazards that are sure to improve soccer skills. From "Backyard Stadiums" episode DBYS-104

The Goldberg children love to play soccer. They play at school; they play in town; and they even play on travel teams. But when they're not playing, the only places they can practice are some distance from their home. NFL football great Michael Strahan, host of DIY's Backyard Stadiums, carpenter Amy Wynn Pastor and master builder John Pacos plan to build a soccer goal and various obstacles so the kids can practice in the comfort of their own yard.

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First up for host Michael Strahan is to show the Goldberg children how to put together a unique and fun soccer goal and net.

Building a Soccer Goal With a Net

It's not always easy finding a soccer goal for practice, but Michael Strahan and Amy Wynn Pastor have come up with a plan to build a modified soccer goal that will fit perfectly in the Goldberg front yard. Regulation size goals are 24x8 but this soccer goal is 12x6-1/2 and is made of wood. We connected the net by using zip ties and added some fun things for the kids to utilize while practicing.

Materials:

four 12' pressure-treated 2x4s
two 8' pressure-treated 2x4s
two 12' pressure-treated 4x4s
two 10' pressure-treated 4x4s
four 8' pressure-treated 4x4s
thirty 12" cable ties
soccer net (6-1/2' H x 12W x 2D x 6B)
angle hinges
carriage bolts
washers
nuts
screws

Tools:

chop saw
circular saw
reciprocating saw
drill and drill bits
tape measure
pencils
hammer
socket wrench
wood drill bits

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F

1. Cut the 4x4s that will serve as the base for the goal. Cut two pieces 70" long (side bases).

2. Cut a notch 4" deep and 1-3/4" down at both ends of one 12' 4x4s (front cross). Cut cut the other 12' 4x4 to 11', 8-1/2" for the rear cross piece.

3. Cut two 4x4s to 76" (front uprights) and notch one end.

   Tip: Use a rubber mallet (figure A) to bang out the notches if your lines don't quite meet.

4. Cut two 2x4's to 76 inches. They will also be used as the vertical supports for the front of the goal, and one 12 foot 2x4 will serve as the rear upper support.

5. Cut two 4x4s to 24". These will serve as the upper supports for your goal. Don't notch.

6. Cut two 4x4s at a 22-1/2-degree angle to use as angled supports for the rear of the goal.

7. Now it's time to construct the goal. Assemble the sides first. Working on the ground, lay out the 70" 4x4 base to the sides of the goal. Add the vertical 2x4 to the end without the notches with a 4" deck screws.

8. Attach the two 24" 4x4 to the top of the 2x4s with deck screws.

9. Add the two 82" angled 4x4s from the rear corners of the top of the goal to the rear corners of the bottom of the goal (figure B).

   Note: When mounting the top of the upper angled 4x4, leave a 1-3/4" lip to support the upper rear 2' x 4'. When mounting the bottom of your angled 4x4, place it 4" back from the end (figure C).

10. Repeat the steps for the second side of the goal.

11. With the sides complete, lift both sides and attach the rear front 12' 2x4 to the rear of the angled 4x4 supports with lag bolts (figure D).

12. Add the rear base cross support 11 8 1/2 foot 4x4 to the side units with the same lag bolts.

13. Assemble the 4x4s that make up the front of the goal on the ground using deck screws, then lift the assembly in place. Secure it to the exiting structure with lag bolts. Be sure the notches on your vertical supports fit into the notches on the horizontal cross bar (figure E).

14. Finally, add corner brackets to the top two corners of both your 2x4 and 4x4 frames for increased support (figure F).

Note: Depending on the contour of your land, you may need to add wooden blocks or shims on the bottom of the base to level the goal as we did.

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