The initial design problem, which was the inspiration for this project, was to create a portable soccer goal that is better than all similar products already in existence.  I have become familiar with the important uses of such products and their performances through my years as a soccer player and soccer coach.  It has been my experience that existing designs successfully fulfill some of the requirements that would make up the ideal portable soccer goal, yet fail in others.  The goal of this project was to design and build a portable soccer goal that would most adequately satisfy the needs of soccer players and coaches that desire to purchase one.

It is necessary to explain the purpose and intended function of portable soccer goals to understand the list of requirements.  Portable soccer goals are never regulation size soccer goals that are used in full-sided (11 vs. 11) soccer matches.  The intended function of portable soccer goals is for practice situations and small-sided play.  It is often desired by soccer coaches to arrange soccer drills and game like situations that do not focus on shooting.  The focus of these drills would be team shape, movement off the ball, combination play, and ball work.  These types of activities are often very helpful since they are generally run with a fewer amount of players than is required for a full-sided game.  Portable soccer goals are also often used for pick-up games of soccer.  It is often very difficult to find a group of 22 players to play a game of soccer and very often a smaller group will get together to play.  Portable soccer goals can be used from 2 vs. 2 up to 11 vs. 11.  Even if 22 players are available to play, there is often no one that is willing to play goalie, so it becomes desirable to use small goals.

The following list of principle requirements would create the most useful portable soccer goals.  The goals should be very easy and quick to set-up and tear down.  The goals should also be very sturdy so that they remain in place while they are being used and don’t need to be reset during the game.  The goals should also to be able to be compacted and easy to transport.  Also the goal should be aesthetically pleasing.

Many concepts were considered for the final design.  To effectively hold the goal in place, two concepts were considered.  One idea that was considered was securing the goal by using some type of spikes or stakes that would be placed in the ground.  The other option was creating a goal heavy enough to hold it in place without the aid of a stake.  Several options were considered to compact the goal.  It was considered to fold up the goal at various places using hinges or flexible steel pipe.  A “tent pole” design was considered in which the pieces of the goal would fit together and when compacted would be held together by a bungee cord inside of the tubing.  A design in which the goal posts would slide inside of the crossbar was also considered.  The simplest design considered consisted of two posts that would be connected by a wire.  The two options for the net included having the net permanently attached to the goal, and having a detachable net.  For the detachable net it would be removed when the goal is compacted and reattached when the goal is set up.

It was determined that none of conceptual design would most adequately fulfill the requirements, but rather a combination of the best ideas of each.  Therefore, the final design is a compilation of several of the conceptual designs, and suggestion given during the design review phase.  The final design consists of both posts, the crossbar, and the back ground-bar made of PVC.  The side ground bars, which are connected to the posts, are made of steel.  The corners of the goal are connected with flexible steel pipe and foldable supports.  The crossbar and back ground-bar is detachable in the middle and is held together on the inside by a bungee cord.  The net is easily attachable and detachable due to its elastic qualities.  The corners and the middle of the crossbar and back ground bar is covered with padding to increase the safety of the goal by eliminating the possibility of collisions with any screws and bolts which were used to construct the goal.

The results of the final design were quite successful.  The goal frame takes approximately 10 to 15 seconds to set up and tear down.  It is quite resistant to force applied by a soccer ball shot at it.  The goal can be compacted into a small size and is easily transportable when placed into a carrying bag.  The one improvement that could be made to the final design is the appearance of the goal.  The frame could use some slight improvements to its aesthetic properties and the net should look nicer when attached.