Look For These Qualities in Your Next Lacrosse Goal with Backstop for Ultimate Play Versatility

Look For These Qualities in Your Next Lacrosse Goal with Backstop for Ultimate Play Versatility

Choose a Lacrosse Goal With Durable Construction to Withstand Impact

When selecting your new lacrosse goal, one of the most important factors to consider is its durability and ability to withstand the repeated impact of lacrosse balls during competitive play or practice drills. Lacrosse shots can travel at speeds over 100 mph, so you’ll want a sturdy goal that won’t get easily dented, damaged or knocked over when balls strike the pipes or netting at high velocities.

Look for goals made from strong, rigid materials like steel or aluminum tubing rather than flimsy PVC pipe or plastic which can crack and bend over time. The clamps and connectors that hold the frame together should also be hardened metal for maximum toughness. Avoid goals with plastic joint pieces or hollow support bars prone to buckling after repeated strikes.

Examine the netting closely too. Nylon or polyester mesh fabrics that are UV-treated and weather-resistant hold up better than generic netting prone to getting brittle and tearing after prolonged sun exposure. When balls rip through the netting easily, you lose valuable playing and practice time waiting for repairs.

Thicker pipe diameters add stability too. Look for 2-3 inch steel or aluminum tubing for the main frame rather than goals using 1.5 inch poles or less which sacrifice rigidity. Cross-bracing and extra horizontal supports also distribute ball impact force better.

Lastly, don’t forget the rear base supports and lateral ground anchors. Heavy weighted rear stays prevent forward tipping when absorbing hard shots. Sturdy ground stakes or sandbags keep the entire goal firmly planted in position during active play.

Investing a little more upfront in a rugged lacrosse goal built from quality durable materials will save you money and hassle in the long run compared to goals requiring frequent repairs or replacement from flimsy construction.

Opt For a Lacrosse Goal With Adjustable Height Settings

When shopping for your new lacrosse goal, take the time to look for one that offers adjustable sizing and height settings. The ability to tweak the frame height and width opens up far more versatility for players of different ages, positions and skill levels compared to goals with a static fit.

For youth and high school players especially, an adjustable lacrosse goal is ideal since you can lower it incrementally as players grow in size and stature each season. By simply sliding the frame supports up or down built-in vertical tracks and locking them at the desired position, you can fine tune the perfect height as young athletes develop better coordination and shots.

Not only does an adjustable goal accommodate shrinking or growing teens, it also allows you to set the ideal 10-foot NNCAA and NFHS regulation height used for men’s lacrosse once players reach varsity levels. For women’s lacrosse played on a more compact field, you can slide the crossbar down to the mandated 8.5-foot height once athletes transition to full contact NCAA or high school rules.

Beyond catering to growing teens, adjustable goals also provideheight flexibility for drills or fun recreational play. Coaches can raise a goal for high lob shot practice or lower it for close-range technique work. Younger kids just learning the game can work on skills at friendlier heights until ready for full 10-foot regulation frames.

So while fixed-height lacrosse goals work fine for consistent high school, college and pro play, goals allowing you to tweak the frame elevation enable far more versatility. Make sure to compare minimum and maximum height settings, adjustment mechanism ease and locking reliability when choosing an adjustable model for the most flexibility.

Purchase a Lacrosse Goal that Includes Netting

When buying a new lacrosse goal set, one of the top considerations is whether netting is included or if you must purchase it separately. To maximize value and convenience, look for goals that package the netting together with the frame and support poles in one ready-to-use set.

High quality lacrosse nets tailored specifically to fit the goal frame ensure you get a taut, snug fit for rebounding speedy shots back into play. Universal replacement netting instead tends to have more slack, bagging and open gaps that cause balls to get trapped. Loose fitting nets also sag over time, requiring tedious adjustments and re-tying to keep them tight.

With nets designed by the manufacturer for that exact goal, you avoid wasted time rigging up makeshift nets to fit right. Pre-attached netting also properly overlaps the rear frame supports for unobstructed play without awkward gaps. The correct shape net bags, cords, straps and fasteners are included too, eliminatingguesswork sourcing compatible aftermarket parts.

Bundled netting also guarantees the mesh gauge suits the level you need. Youth practice nets use wider mesh allowing more shots through, while senior high school and college goal nets feature tighter professional gauge mesh for improved rebounding and ball retention.

And packaged netting saves you from additional shipping costs or making extra stops searching stores for suitable replacement mesh. Goals with included nets provide the entire practice and game solution in one convenient order.

So when considering new lacrosse goals, opting for sets with the nets included provides better fit, quicker setup and more versatility. Just make sure netting replacements are readily available from the manufacturer as they’ll eventually wear and need swapped out down the road.

Ensure Proper Lacrosse Goal Dimensions for Your Needs

When choosing a new lacrosse goal, take care to select the proper sizing and dimensions for the level of play. While high school, college and pro goals share standardized official sizes, youth and practice goals offer more variability to suit players of different ages and skills.

For full-contact boys’ high school and men’s collegiate lacrosse, you’ll need regulation goals measuring 6 x 6 feet square, with the crossbar situated 10 feet above the ground. Girl’s lacrosse goals at the high school and NCAA level position the crossbar slightly lower at 8.5 feet up on 7 x 7 foot frames.

For junior and youth divisions, smaller goal sizes help young players develop their skills. US Lacrosse and other youth leagues often use 4 x 4 goals with 7 foot crossbars to improve scoring chances as inexperienced kids hone passing and shooting accuracy.

Recreational and practice goals also come in a range of smaller widths better suited for drills or games with reduced players. Narrower 5-foot wide goals challenge shooters to finetune left/right aiming, while still taller frames retain full 10-foot height for lob shot practice.

Consider the players’ age bracket and skill level, along with the type of team drills or recreational play planned when choosing goal dimensions. While regulation sizes work fine for competitive high school and up matches, scaled-down youth goals aid skill progression.

Just ensure the goal you select meets all size guidelines and construction rules for your governing league. And if unsure, starting with regulation 6 x 6 foot, 10-foot tall goals provides maximum flexibility for all ages as players improve.

Select a Sturdy Lacrosse Goal Base to Prevent Toppling

When evaluating lacrosse goal options, be sure to closely inspect the base construction to ensure excellent stability. Goals toppling over in the middle of games or practice drills halt play and pose a safety hazard to players on the field.

Look for broad, weighted rear base supports at least 36-48 inches long for the best resistance to forward tips. Wide triangular prism bases provide the lowest center of gravity. Narrow or single-pole goals often rely too heavily on sidelines anchors, leaving them prone to falling forward if collisions occur.

Solid steel and filled sandbag bases add more inertial mass to keep goals firmly planted compared to hollow plastic bases or water fillable designs that often still shift. Aim for rear bases weighing over 100 lbs for optimal stability.

The lateral framework extending out the sides also prevents side-to-side tilting or twisting. Look for sturdy diagonal bracing and supports extending 36 inches or more from the corners. Box shaped goals withstand torsional forces better than open U or V-frame designs.

Lastly, never depend solely on siderail anchor pegs, stakes or ground spikes to prevent tipping. While anchors help, robust weighted rear bases and widely flared side frames maintain primary goal stability at all times.

Taking time to inspect rear base type, side framework and ground anchors lets you select sturdy goals that won’t budge easily during live play. Since toppled goals stop games and raise safety concerns, stability merits close evaluation alongside other factors when choosing new lacrosse goals.

Look for Quick and Easy Lacrosse Goal Assembly

When shopping for a new lacrosse goal, seek out options that offer quick, easy assembly and disassembly. Goals requiring minimal tools and time to set up or take down make it more convenient to put them up for games and stow them safely afterward.

Look for tool-free assembly designs that allow 1-2 people to simply slide the pieces together and lock them in place by hand. Push-button pinch connectors are far easier than goals needing wrenches, bolts and complicated fasteners to construct.

collapsed storage mode also enables faster breakdown after games. Goals that fold flat, roll up or telescope smaller guarantee quicker packing up and less space for storage or transport.

Lighter weight frame materials like aluminum (versus heavy steel) also make assembly easier, though durability may be reduced. Carrying and manipulating lighter poles reduces strain setting up and breaking down goals.

When possible, choose goals with numbered poles and coded pin connectors that cue proper assembly order. Matching the pieces sequentially as instructed eliminates guessing and rework from incorrect fitment.

Lastly, detailed instructions with visual diagrams assure anyone can assemble the goals properly on their own. Unclear manuals lead to parts installed backwards or improperly joined.

While play performance remains paramount, lacrosse goals offering fast, simple assembly help make equipment managers and coaches lives easier. Seek out well-designed goals that take just minutes to set up and take down with minimal effort or tools required.

Prioritize Lacrosse Goal Safety with Rounded Corners

Lacrosse is a fast-paced, high-impact sport, so safety should always be a top consideration when selecting new goals. Be sure to choose models with rounded pipes and joints to reduce harm if accidental player contact occurs.

Square metal goal frames with rigid 90-degree corners pose a real hazard to athletes crashing into them at full sprint. Even minor scrapes from sharp poles quickly add up across an entire team and season.

Frames constructed using rounded aluminum or steel tubing instead greatly reduce risk of gashes and injury. Gradual curves better deflect blows, rather than concentrating force on vulnerable spots.

Padding goal frames provides some protection too, but rounded pipes maintain safety if padding tears. And padding only cushions some impact, while rounded pipes diffuse contact completely.

Safety caps placed over exposed bolt threads and fasteners also eliminate scratches and torn clothing if players brush past them. Protruding hardware snags uniforms and can scrape skin.

Lastly, proper netting adds a crucial barrier between players and the frame. Sturdy mesh gives slightly on impact, while keeping athletes from directly striking bars at speed.

Player welfare should be a key factor when equipping your lacrosse program. Select goals engineered for safety as well as performance. Rounded corners and protective netting provide inexpensive insurance against injuries that derail seasons.

Choose a Lacrosse Goal with Portable Backstop

Investing in a lacrosse goal equipped with a pop-up backstop brings a versatile extra training tool to your practice arsenal. Backstops provide invaluable rebounding that maximizes shooting opportunities when you lack a goalie.

Look for goals that integrate a retractable net backstop right into the frame structure. This allows shooters to direct shots on goal and have the ball consistently ricochet right back to keep drills flowing.

Retractable backstops sit flush behind the goal when not needed, then pull up and clip in place to create a rebounding sweet spot during shooting practice. Sturdy bungee cords allow backstops to lightly flex, absorbing shots while returning balls with added force.

Since you can install a backstop on either end of reversible goals, players get double the shooting stations on the field for high repetition drills. And by quickly dropping the backstop when done, the goal remains regulation size for scrimmages or games.

Freestanding backstops also work, but portable ones integrated into goal frames provide superior rebounding, stow when not in use and don’t consume additional storage space. Positioned in just the right spot, they return shots straight to the shooter for rapid fire practice.

For maximizing shot opportunities any time coaches or players need to pinch hit as goalie, look for goals with quick-mount integrated backstops. They make solo and small group training more productive and fun.

Evaluate Lacrosse Goal Angle Design for Your Training Needs

When selecting new lacrosse goals, consider whether straight-on frames or angled side posts better suit your training plans. Both designs have merits for honing different shot and defensive techniques.

Traditional square goals with symmetrical side posts directly behind the net develop accuracy shooting straight on target. Firing repeated shots on cage from straight ahead ingrains muscle memory for precision shooting.

Angled or pinched goals with side posts offset inward force shooters to aim for smaller angled openings off center. This improves peripheral vision, tight shot grouping and quick stick aim.

For defenders, straight goals allow driving right at the shooter on checks and contain approaches. Angled frames mimic quicker attackmen who don’t charge straight on.

Coaches often start young players on square goals to build basic stick skills. As athletes advance, angled goals better replicate skewed game geometry against dodging shooters. Reaction time and footwork improve retrieving off-line pins.

Best of all are adjustable goals allowing you to tweak side post angles from straight to canted inward up to 20 degrees. This enables modifying goal openings for progressive skill challenge as players improve.

Consider the types of drills and player skill levels planned before choosing square versus angled lacrosse goal side posts. Adjustable angles give the flexibility to start beginners neutral then gradually angle frames inwards.

Select Lacrosse Goals with Built-In or Add-On Ground Anchors

To prevent tipping, lacrosse goals must connect firmly to the ground. Choose models with integrated anchors or compatibility with easy add-on weights and pegs to keep the goal stable.

Built-in anchors like rear weights, corner spikes or bottom sled runners provide the most secure mounting. Always favor goals with robust anchoring over lightweight models requiring separate weights.

But for goals lacking integrated anchors, aftermarket ground pegs offer an easy safeguard. Look for thick zigzag pegs or corkscrew designs that bury into grass and soil without coming loose. Install them on side rails during games for redundancy.

Sandbag weights are another aftermarket add-on working with any goal missing rear weights. Fill heavy canvas bags with sand/soil and hang multiple bags from the rear base for sturdy friction anchoring. Just store bags out of weather when not in use.

Before purchasing anchor add-ons, check the goal frame allowances and load limits first. Only use ground pegs or sandbags rated for the goal’s pole strength and weight by the manufacturer.

Whether built-in or added on after purchase, quality anchors make goals ultra-stable for active play. Sturdy ground integration eliminates disruptions from tipped goals across an entire season.

Seek Lacrosse Goals with Ball Return Features

To maximize shooting efficiency during practice, consider lacrosse goals including built-in ball returns. Returns catch wide shots in side netting and redirect balls back to players, saving chase and retrieval time.

Look for goals with collection nets running horizontally or vertically along the sidelines just outside the shooting nets. Missed shots get snared in these outer return nets and funneled quickly back into play.

The best returns use transverse collection nets running sideline to sideline attached behind the goal. Shots entering either side get captured laterally and returned immediately.

Returns with vertical side curtains work too, though less perfectly. Balls tend to drop quicker vertically before rolling back to the shooter. Still, side collection nets noticeably speed drill pace.

For even more convenience, some goals feature internal auto-returns. Missed shots hit mechanical boards inside the frame that redirect balls to centered openings, dumping returns right in front of the shooter.

No matter the design, integrated ball returns make practice more efficient. Less shagging means more rapid-fire shooting reps and higher intensity offensive drills.

Wheeled Lacrosse Goals Allow Quick Position Changes

For convenient goal repositioning during practice drills or pre-game setups, choose a model with built-in wheels for easy transport across fields.

Wheeled goals can be quickly rolled and steered into place by a single person, unlike stationary models requiring two people to awkwardly carry and manipulate.

Rear-wheeled goals offer the best control, with two large pneumatic wheels on the rear base mimicking a wheelbarrow design. Front casters provide stability but don’t obstruct rolling backwards.

Look for wide-treaded tires that won’t sink into grass or turf. Air-filled wheels with tread roll smoothly across most terrains. Foam-filled plastic wheels get stuck more easily.

Test wheeled goals without anchoring to ensure they track straight and don’t veer left or right. Frames should roll straight without excessive wobbling.

Wheeled goals do require level terrain and remove anchoring options, so weigh tradeoffs. But for active position changes, wheels enable faster field setups and more dynamic drills.

Review Lacrosse Goal Warranties Before Purchase

To ensure years of hassle-free use from new lacrosse goals, be sure to assess warranty coverage during selection. Strong warranties provide peace of mind should any defects arise.

Look for at least 1-year limited warranties as standard, though 3 years is preferable for maximum protection on your investment. This safeguards against early frame damage or manufacturing flaws.

Carefully check what goal components are covered too. Full warranties protect the entire frame, netting, fasteners and base. Limited warranties only cover certain parts.

Don’t assume replacements are guaranteed either. Some warranties only offer discount coupons off new purchases. Ensure your warranty provides free component replacements when necessary.

And know the warranty terms for filing claims if issues arise. You don’t want hidden clauses that invalidate coverage.

Lastly, favor well-known brands over no-name goals without reputation. Reputable companies stand behind warranties while generic brands often disappear.

Don’t underestimate the value of solid warranties on lacrosse gear seeing heavy use. Thorough warranty review now prevents headaches later if gear fails prematurely.

Research Extensively Before Buying Your Lacrosse Goal

Don’t decide on a new lacrosse goal based on a few website photos alone. Take time to thoroughly research different models and brands before purchase to ensure optimal fit and value.

Compare as many goal options side-by-side as possible. Seek out detailed product descriptions, specification charts and demonstration videos to understand features and construction.

Check manufacturer websites for the most accurate details and images. Third party retailers often have inconsistent or missing information that makes comparisons difficult.

Read feedback and reviews from other buyers describing real-world durability, ease of assembly, included accessories and more. This identifies potential downsides not obvious from standard product listings.

Contact manufacturers directly with any questions left unanswered after initial research. Discuss concerns with sales reps to determine ideal goal match.

If possible, inspect certain models in person after narrowing choices. Hands-on examination reveals craftsmanship and stability hard to gauge online.

Rushing goal purchase without thorough upfront research often leads to regret and wasted budgets. Patience now ensures the best lacrosse goal value and experience for years to come.

Compare Lacrosse Goal Options Before Selecting The Best Fit

Don’t default to the first lacrosse goal you come across that fits your budget. Comparison shopping across multiple brands and models ensures you select the best match for your needs and maximize value.

Compile a checklist of must-have features based on your goals for use, skill levels, available storage space and budget. Then extensively compare models to see which options meet all required criteria.

Prioritize goals offering the right mix of durability, safety, stability, portability and ease of assembly for your program needs. Don’t sacrifice key criteria to save money upfront.

Give strong consideration to goal versatility as well. Adjustable options enable use for players of all ages rather than buying new goals as participants grow and develop.

Don’t neglect good warranties either. Goals backed by strong multi-year warranties provide peace of mind should any issues develop after purchase.

Be wary of ultra cheap or generic no-name goals that cut corners on materials and construction. The savings often don’t justify the quality loss.

While an exhausting process, taking the time to extensively compare lacrosse goal options gives you the confidence you selected the best solution for maximizing your training capabilities and budget.