ASTM F1938-98(2017)

Standard Guide for Safer Use of Movable Soccer Goals

ABSTRACT
This guide presents directions for the installation, use, and storage of full-size or nearly full-size movable soccer goals. It is expected that these guidelines can help prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tipover. These guidelines are intended for use by parks and recreation personnel, school officials, sports equipment purchasers, parents, coaches, and any other members of the general public concerned with soccer goal safety. These guidelines are intended to address the risk of movable soccer goal tipover. In designing soccer goal, the following may be considered: use of a counterbalancing strategy by lengthening the over all depth of the goal to effectively place more mass further from the goal's front posts, selection of light materials for the goal's front posts and crossbar and provides much heavier materials for the rear ground bar and frame members, use of a heavy rear framework and folds flat when not in use, making the goal much less likely to tip over. Securing soccer goals may be done in several ways. The number and type of anchors to be used will depend on a number of factors, such as types of playing surface, soil type, soil moisture content, and total goal weight. These anchor types shall include: Auger-Style Stake which is helical in shape and is screwed into the ground, Peg- or Stake-Style Stake which varies in lengths and diameters, J-Hook-Shaped-Stake Style which varies in lengths and diameters and its curved-top portion is designed to fit over goal members to secure it to the ground, and All-Stakes styles in which a minimum of two stakes must be used for each goal. Sandbags or other counterweights could be an effective alternative to anchors on hard surfaces, such as artificial turf, where the surface cannot be penetrated by a conventional anchor, that is, an indoor practice facility. Also a semipermanent anchor type may be used which is usually comprised of two or more functional components. The main support requires a permanently secured base that is buried underground. One type of semipermanent anchor connects the underground base to the soccer goal by means of two tethers. Another design utilizes a buried anchor tube with a threaded opening at ground level. Net pegs may be tapered, metal or plastic stakes, or both, and should only be used to secure the net to the ground.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide presents directions for the installation, use, and storage of full-size or nearly full-size movable soccer goals. It is expected that these guidelines can help prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tipover.  
1.2 These guidelines are intended for use by parks and recreation personnel, school officials, sports equipment purchasers, parents, coaches, and any other members of the general public concerned with soccer goal safety.  
1.3 These guidelines are intended to address the risk of movable soccer goal tipover.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2017
• ICS: 97.220.10 - Sports facilities
• Technical Committee: F15 - Consumer Products
• Drafting Committee: F15.43 - Soccer Goal Safety

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1938-98(2009) - Guide for Safer Use of Movable Soccer Goals
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2017

Overview

ASTM F1938-98(2017) – Standard Guide for Safer Use of Movable Soccer Goals provides essential guidelines for the installation, use, and storage of full-size or near full-size movable soccer goals. Developed by ASTM International, this standard helps to prevent deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tipovers. The guidance is intended for use by parks and recreation staff, school officials, sports equipment buyers, coaches, parents, and the general public, and addresses the crucial topic of soccer goal safety in both public and private playing environments.

Key Topics

Soccer Goal Tipover Prevention:
One of the leading causes of injury and fatality related to movable soccer goals is tipover when the goal is not properly anchored, balanced, or stored. The standard addresses risk mitigation strategies, including:

• Counterbalancing Designs

  • Increasing the overall depth to distribute mass away from the front posts.
  • Using lighter materials for front posts and heavier rear frame components.
  • Employing heavy rear frameworks which may fold flat in storage, reducing tipover risk.

• Anchoring Methods

  • Auger-Style Stakes: Helical anchors screwed into the ground.
  • Peg or Stake-Style Anchors: Stakes of various sizes driven fully into the ground.
  • J-Hook Stakes: Designed to fit over goal members and secure the frame.
  • Sandbags/Counterweights: Useful on hard surfaces like artificial turf.
  • Semipermanent Anchors: Buried hardware, including tethered and bolted systems.

• Net Pegs:
  Net pegs are only intended to secure the soccer net and should never be used to anchor the goal structure itself.

• Safe Use and Storage Practices

  • Regularly inspect for structural integrity and missing components.
  • Place safety and warning labels at visible locations.
  • Always anchor or counterweight goals during use and storage.
  • Prohibit climbing on nets or goal frames.
  • Move goals only with adequate help and on level surfaces.
  • Store disassembled or secured goals out of child access when not in use.

Applications

Movable Soccer Goal Safety guidelines are critical for a variety of settings:

• School and University Sports Fields:
  Ensuring safety for student-athletes by following proper installation and anchoring procedures helps mitigate risks and liability.

• Public & Community Parks:
  Parks and recreation teams can reduce incidents by using recommended securement and signage procedures.

• Club and Private Sports Facilities:
  Clubs, leagues, and training centers should closely adhere to anchoring methods and safe handling to protect users of all ages.

• Indoor Facilities:
  Special anchoring techniques such as sandbags or counterweights are suitable where traditional anchors cannot be used.

This standard enhances overall soccer goal safety, promoting safe play environments across youth, amateur, and professional sports.

Related Standards

For comprehensive compliance and enhanced safety management, consider these related standards:

• ASTM F2673 – Standard Guide for Anchoring Systems for Portable Soccer Goals, Football Goals, and Field Hockey Goals
• ASTM F2040 – Standard Specification for Helmets Used for Recreational Snowsports (helmet use may be relevant in multi-use fields)
• ASTM F2713 – Standard Specification for Soccer Goals
• U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) guidelines on soccer goal safety

Adhering to ASTM F1938-98(2017) helps organizations meet internationally recognized safety practices, effective injury prevention, and legal risk reduction regarding movable soccer goal installations. For the latest updates or to purchase the standard, visit ASTM International.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1938 − 98 (Reapproved 2017)
Standard Guide for
Safer Use of Movable Soccer Goals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1938; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
Thereareapproximately225000to500000soccergoalsintheUnitedStates.Manyofthesesoccer
goals are unsafe because they are improperly designed, manufactured, or installed (unstable and are
either unanchored or not properly anchored or counter-balanced). These soccer goals pose an
unnecessary risk of tipover to children who climb on goals (or nets) or hang from the crossbar.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) knows of four deaths in 1990 alone and
at least 21 deaths during the past 16 years (1979–1994) associated with movable soccer goals. In
addition, an estimated 120 injuries involving falling goals were treated each year in U.S. hospital
emergency rooms during the period 1989 through 1993. Many of the serious incidents occurred when
the soccer goals tipped over onto the victim. Almost all of the goals involved in these tipovers
appeared to be “homemade” by high school shop classes, custodial members, or local welders, not
professionally manufactured. These “homemade” goals often are very heavy and unstable.
Themajorityofmovablesoccergoalsareconstructedofmetal,typicallyweighing150–500lbs.The
serious injuries and deaths are a result of blunt force trauma to the head, neck, chest, and limbs of the
victims. In most cases injuries or death occurred when the goal tipped or was accidentally tipped onto
the victim. In one case, an 8-year-old child was fatally injured when the movable soccer goal he was
climbing tipped over and struck him on the head. In another case, a 20-year-old male died from a
massive head trauma when he pulled a goal down on himself while attempting to do chin-ups. In a
third case, while attempting to tighten a net to its goal post, the victim’s father lifted the back base of
the goal, causing it to tip over, striking his 3-year-old child on the head, causing a fatal injury.
High winds also can cause movable soccer goals to fall over. For example, a 9-year-old was fatally
injured when a goal was tipped over by a gust of wind. In another incident, a 19-year-old goalie
suffered stress fractures to both legs when the soccer goal was blown on top of her.
1. Scope 1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
1.1 This guide presents directions for the installation, use,
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and storage of full-size or nearly full-size movable soccer
and are not considered standard.
goals. It is expected that these guidelines can help prevent
deaths and serious injuries resulting from soccer goal tipover.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.2 These guidelines are intended for use by parks and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
recreation personnel, school officials, sports equipment
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
purchasers, parents, coaches, and any other members of the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
general public concerned with soccer goal safety.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 These guidelines are intended to address the risk of
movable soccer goal tipover.
2. Design and Construction
2.1 While a movable soccer goal appears to be a simple
structure, a correctly-designed goal is constructed carefully
This provisional standard is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F15 on
with counterbalancing measures incorporated into the product.
Consumer Products and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F15.43 on
Soccer Goal Safety.
2.2 The common dimensions of a full-size goal are approxi-
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2017. Published December 2017. Originally
mately 24 ft (7.3 m) in width by 8 ft (2.4 m) in height, and
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as F1938 – 98 (2009).
DOI: 10.1520/F1938-98R17. depth equal to or exceeding the height of the goal (see Fig. 1).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1938 − 98 (2017)
2.3 The stability of a soccer goal depends on several factors. 3.4.6.2 The main support requires a permanently secured
2.3.1 One effective design alternative uses a counterbalanc- base that is buried underground.
ing strategy by lengthening the overall depth of the goal to
3.4.6.3 One type (see Fig. 5) of semipermanent anchor
effectively place more mass further from the goal’s front posts connects the underground base to the soccer goal by means of
(more mass at the back of the goal).
two tethers.
2.3.2 A second design selects light materials for the goal’s 3.4.6.4 Another design (see Fig. 6) utilizes a buried anchor
front posts and crossbar and provides much heavier materials
tube with a threaded opening at ground level.
for the rear ground bar and frame members. This design tends
3.4.6.5 The goal is positioned over the buried tube and the
to counterbalance the forces working to tip the goal forward.
bolt is passed through the goal ground shoes (bar) and rear
2.3.3 Another design uses a heavy rear framework and folds
ground shoe (bar) and screwed into the threaded hole of the
flat when not in use, making the goal much less likely to tip
buried tube.
over.
3.5 Net Pegs—These tapered, metal or plastic stakes, or
2.3.4 No matter what counterbalancing strategy is used, it is
both, should only be used to secure the net to the ground (see
imperati
...