Football Goal
Size Guide

Football, a game cherished globally, is as much about the thrill of scoring goals as it is about strategy and skill. Crucial to this excitement are the goals themselves, which vary in size depending on the team's size and players' age. Adhering to the Football Association (FA) guidelines, this guide aims to elucidate the appropriate goal dimensions for different formats of the game.

Understanding Goal Sizes: The Basics

In professional football, the standard goal size is 24 feet in width and 8 feet in height (7.32 metres by 2.44 metres). However, this one-size-fits-all approach does not apply to all levels of play. The variation in goal sizes plays a pivotal role in aligning the game's difficulty and fairness with the players' abilities and age.

Adapting to Player Skill and Game Format

For younger or less experienced players, and in smaller-sided games, using a full-sized goal can be impractical. Smaller goals are thus employed to maintain a balance between skill development and enjoyment. This scaling is a considered process, taking into account the players' physical abilities and development levels.

Training with Variable Goal Sizes

In training scenarios, different goal sizes are used to focus on specific skills. For example, smaller goals are often used for precision training, while larger goals may be employed for exercises that emphasise power and strategy.

Importance of Appropriate Goal Sizing

Using goal sizes that match the players' skill and game format is essential. It ensures that the game remains challenging yet achievable, which is particularly important in youth football for fostering skill development and enjoyment.

As we explore the appropriate goal sizes for various team sizes, from 11-a-side to smaller formats, it becomes clear that each format requires a unique approach to goal sizing. This consideration ensures that the game is tailored to the players' abilities and the intended level of challenge.

Goal Sizes by Team Size

11-a-side Football

In the traditional 11-a-side game, the goal size varies slightly between senior and junior teams.

‍Senior Teams (Ages 15 and Up): 

The most commonly used goal size for senior teams is the standard 24 feet wide by 8 feet high. This size is recommended by the FA for players aged 15 and older, aligning with international standards used in professional and adult amateur leagues.

‍Junior Teams (Under 14 and Under 13): 

For junior teams, particularly those with players under 14 and under 13, a slightly smaller goal size is recommended. These goals measure 21 feet wide by 7 feet high. This adjustment ensures that the goals are proportionate to the players' size and skill level, making the game more suitable and encouraging for younger players.

9-a-side Football

9-a-side football serves as an important transitional format, bridging smaller youth games and the full 11-a-side format. For this format, the FA recommends goal sizes of 16 feet wide by 7 feet high.

‍This size is particularly advised for teams comprising Under 11 and Under 12 players. At these age levels, players are advancing in their physical and technical abilities, making a slightly larger goal size more appropriate. The 16x7 feet goal offers a greater challenge compared to smaller-sided games, preparing young players for the eventual transition to the full-sized 11-a-side game. It helps in refining their skills, particularly for goalkeepers who need to adapt to larger goal areas, and for outfield players who are developing their shooting accuracy and power over a larger distance.

7-a-side Football

7-a-side games are especially popular in youth football and are an integral part of developing younger players' skills. The recommended goal size for these formats is 12 feet wide by 6 feet high.

The FA specifically advises that teams of Under 9 and Under 10 age groups use this goal size in both training and matches. The smaller goal size is proportionate to their physical stature and skill level, making the game more enjoyable and appropriately challenging. This size ensures that young players can practise goalkeeping effectively and shooters can learn to aim with more precision, thereby enhancing the overall quality of play and player development.

5-a-side Goal Sizes

The goal sizes in this format are tailored to suit both youth and senior teams, ensuring an appropriate level of challenge and enjoyment.

‍Youth Teams (Under 7 and Under 8): 

‍For the youngest players, particularly those in Under 7 and Under 8 teams, the FA recommends goals that measure 12 feet wide by 4 feet high.

‍Senior Teams: 

‍In contrast, for senior 5-a-side matches, the recommended goal size is larger, at 16 feet wide by 4 feet high. This dimension acknowledges the greater physical size and advanced skill level of adult players.

FA Recommended Goal Post Sizes by Age

Selecting the correct goal size for the age group is crucial. The following table breaks down the recommendations, offering a clear guide for coaches, leagues, and schools to follow in order to align with FA standards and foster an optimal playing environment for young footballers.

Age Group

Format

Goal Size (Width x Height)

Under 7 & Under 8

5-a-side

12ft x 4ft

Under 9 & Under 10

7-a-side

12ft x 6ft

Under 11 & Under 12

9-a-side

16ft x 7ft

Under 13 & Under 14

11-a-side

21ft x 7ft

Under 15 and Above

11-a-side

24ft x 8ft

Types of Football Goals

Football goal frames come in various designs, each with its unique features and suitability for different playing environments. Understanding these types can help in selecting the right goal for specific needs and conditions.

Freestanding Goals

Freestanding goals are highly versatile and are not permanently fixed to the ground. They can be moved around and are ideal for multi-use games areas, training grounds, and places where the pitch is not exclusively used for football. These goals are typically made from lightweight materials like aluminium, making them easy to transport. However, their portability also requires that they are securely anchored during use to prevent tipping and ensure player safety.

Here at Ramsay Ladders, our goal frames are supplied as freestanding goals as standard, supplied with securing pins for anchoring the frame to the ground. We also supply slots and toggles for fixing the nets to the goal frame.

Goals for 3G Surfaces

Goals designed for 3G (third-generation) artificial turf surfaces come with specialised features to suit the synthetic nature of the pitch. 

Here at Ramsay Ladders our goals for 3G pitches have internal weights to aid in stability. The added weight ensures that the goals remain in place during play, providing the necessary safety and functionality.

Another key feature of our goals for 3G surfaces is the inclusion of flip-over wheels. These wheels allow for quick and easy movement of the goals, making them ideal for pitches that host various activities or require frequent reconfiguration. The wheels are designed to be turf-friendly, ensuring they do not damage the playing surface while providing the convenience of mobility.

Each type of football goal serves a unique purpose and is suitable for different playing environments.

Explore Our Top Class Football Goal Posts

Selecting the right football goal post is essential not only for the integrity of the game but also for the safety and development of players. Whether it's for a local youth team, a school, or a professional club, understanding the various types and sizes of goals is crucial. As you consider the best options for your needs, we invite you to explore our football goal posts.

Browse our Football Goal Frames

With a rich history dating back to 1771, Ramsay Ladders has evolved from manufacturing tools for the textile industry to becoming a leader in ladder manufacturing and, more recently, a trusted name in football goal post production. 

Supplying numerous renowned sports teams across the UK, Ramsay Ladders' journey into the world of sports exemplifies not just versatility but a deep-rooted commitment to quality and innovation. Our range of football goal posts is a testament to our longstanding expertise and dedication to meeting the ever-evolving needs of our customers. 

Discover how we can enhance your football experience with our top-quality goal posts, designed with the same passion and precision that have defined our brand for centuries.

Browse our Football Goal Frames

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is a full size football goal?
‍A full-size football goal is 24 feet wide by 8 feet high (7.32 x 2.44 metres).

‍What is the size of a Premier League football goal?
‍Premier League football goals are the standard full-size, 24 feet wide by 8 feet high.

‍What size goals do u11 use?
‍U11 teams typically use 9-a-side goals, which are 16 feet wide by 7 feet high.

‍What size football goal for a 6 year old?
‍For 6-year-olds, usually playing 5-a-side, a goal size of 12 feet wide by 4 feet high is recommended.

‍What size football goal for an 8 year old?
‍An 8 year old, often playing 7-a-side, should use a goal that is 12 feet wide by 6 feet high.

‍What size goals do u9 use?
‍U9 teams, playing 7-a-side football, use goals that are 12 feet wide by 6 feet high.

‍What size are 7 a side goals?
‍7-a-side football goals measure 12 feet wide by 6 feet high.

‍What size are 9 a side goals?
‍9-a-side goals are 16 feet wide by 7 feet high.

‍Are the goals the same size in women's football?
‍Yes, in professional women's football, the goal size is the same as men's: 24 feet wide by 8 feet high.