The right portable goals transform a training session. Without goals, you're limited in what you can coach — finishing drills, scoring games, and most SSGs require some form of target. The wrong goals fall over in wind, don't stay in place, and become a session-stopping frustration. Here's what actually works.
| Type | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| The grassroots staplePop-up goals | Set up in 30 seconds, fold flat into a carry bag — the practical default for most grassroots sessions. | Cheap frames bend after one heavy shot; staple-attached net seams tear. |
| Best for U12+/adultSteel frame goals | Far more stable than pop-ups; net stays taut for proper finishing feedback. | Heavier to transport. |
| Best for solo practiceRebounder goals | Solo passing practice — the angled return net makes it more versatile than a standard goal for individual sessions. | Not a substitute for a real goal in scoring/finishing drills. |
Pop-up goals: the grassroots staple
Pop-up goals (foldable nets on spring frames) are the most practical portable goal for grassroots coaches. They set up in 30 seconds, fold flat into a carry bag, and are robust enough for regular outdoor use. The two failure modes to avoid: cheap frames that bend permanently after one heavy shot, and nets with staple-attached seams that tear.
For U7–U9 sessions: 1.2m × 0.9m pop-up goals. For U10–U13: 1.8m × 1.2m. For senior/adult training: you need a proper frame goal — pop-ups don't absorb shot power adequately.
Pop-up goals (pair): QuickPlay 1.8m pop-up goals (pair)* · Training pop-up goals set* · 1.2m mini goals for U7-U9 (pair)*
* As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability correct at time of writing.
Steel frame goals: the step up
For U12+ training or any session with adult players, a steel frame goal with a proper net is worth the investment. They're heavier to transport but far more stable, and the net stays taut for proper finishing feedback. Look for goals with ground stakes and a back bar that prevents the net pulling through on hard shots.
Steel frame portable goals: Samba 12×6 portable goal* · Aluminium portable training goal* · QuickPlay with ground bar*
* As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability correct at time of writing.
Rebound boards and rebounder goals
A rebounder (a goal with an angled return net) enables solo passing practice and is the best piece of equipment for a player working alone. For coaches running individual sessions or for players to use outside of training, a rebounder is more versatile than a standard goal. It can also be used as a wall for wall-pass drills.
Rebounders: Football rebounder training board* · Target rebounder goal*
* As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability correct at time of writing.
What I actually carry
For any session: 4 pop-up goals (1.8m) in a carry bag, 2 mini pop-up goals for small-sided games within the session. Weight is manageable, setup takes under 2 minutes for all four. For matches or formal training sessions with U13+: 2 steel frame goals stay set up permanently if the facility allows.
Complete goal starter set: Goal set with carry bag* · Complete training kit bundle*
* As an Amazon Associate, SimpleDrills earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability correct at time of writing.
Weighting goals down in windy conditions
Pop-up goals in particular are prone to tipping or blowing across a pitch in strong wind, which is both a session disruption and a safety concern if a goal tips toward a player. Sandbags or dedicated ground pegs (cheap and small enough to carry alongside the goals themselves) are worth having as standard kit for outdoor sessions rather than only reaching for them on visibly windy days, since conditions can change over the course of a session.
Maintaining goals over a season
A pop-up goal's spring frame and net both degrade with regular outdoor use and UV exposure — checking for a bent frame section or a fraying net seam every few weeks catches problems while they're still a quick fix, rather than discovering a goal has failed mid-session. Storing goals dry after a wet session, even if it means a slightly longer pack-down, extends the life of the frame considerably compared to bagging them up wet every week.