The beautiful game of soccer has a dirty little secret: it can be dangerous for fans, players, and spectators alike. It’s not just the simple act of running from one end of the field to another that raises the risk of injury, but the very nature of soccer itself. With so much running required to play and countless headers and tackles, no other sport requires players to run at such high speeds with such force.
Soccer netting is here to help prevent injury and reduce the risk of fouls before they happen. In addition, it makes everything safer for players, coaches, spectators, and everyone who loves watching soccer games, especially kids!
Here we’ll explain what soccer netting is, how it works, its benefits, risks, and alternatives.
What Is Soccer Netting?
Soccer netting is a safety barrier that you put up between the goal and the field of play to prevent injuries to players and spectators alike. It also helps avoid dangerous situations and unfair referee calls. Soccer netting is a net system that runs between the posts and the field of play. It’s usually made of synthetic fencing or wire to prevent players and spectators from getting hurt. The fencing is generally set up like a “tunnel” with a low ceiling, preventing balls from bouncing up too high.
Types Of Soccer Netting
Goal: The goal net is the standard, most common type of soccer netting. It’s usually made of synthetic fencing and is used for all goals, not just the goal of a team.
Corner: Corner nets are usually made of real fencing and are used to protect the corners of the field. They’re often orange or yellow to help spectators spot them.
Netting: Netting is the entry point of fencing and is usually made of synthetic fencing. It protects the end line or goal without obstructing players’ view or the ball.
How Does Soccer Netting Work?
Soccer players, coaches, and spectators all need to worry about safety. That’s why most fields now have netting. The net is a barrier between the players, the fans, and the goal, keeping everyone safe. The fencing you put up between the posts and the field is usually made of synthetic fencing, but it can also be made of wire, chain link, or even wood. It’s designed to prevent injuries like concussions, broken legs, and fouls by keeping the players and the ball inside the fencing.
Safety Benefits Of Soccer Netting
Safety: One of the main reasons you install soccer netting is to keep players and spectators safe. It is especially important for kids who are at higher risk of injury.
Fast Balls: When someone is running towards the net with the ball, they’re only trying to go as far as they can to score. But when you add a barrier between the player and the goal, they have to go around it. It means they can’t get as close to the goal and have to use more energy in their run. It can cause more injuries like ankle sprains and broken legs and is unfair to the other team because the other team gets more points.
Balls: If you hit the ball into the netting, it’s sent back into play. You don’t have to worry about it going into the stands or crowd.
Headers: The fencing in the netting doesn’t allow a ball to bounce up high and hit you in the head or neck. The fencing in the field’s net prevents balls from bouncing up high, which is often the cause of head injuries.
Crowd Safety: Soccer netting can keep fans and spectators away from the field of play. It is especially important with kids at high risk of injury. Also, a crowd safely behind netting can better watch the game without getting hurt.
Fair Referee Calls: When someone is in the netting, they can’t hit the ball or catch it without going through it. The referee can’t call an unsportsmanlike foul, and the play continues without interference.
Risks of Soccer Netting
Ineffective: If a soccer net is too low, it doesn’t effectively keep the players and the ball inside the netting. It can cause more unfair fouls and dangerous situations.
Obstructs View: If the netting is too high, it can obstruct the view of spectators and block balls from entering the crowd. It can be dangerous for spectators and unfair to the teams, so it’s important for the netting to be just high enough.
Crowd Safety: If the crowd is too close to the netting, they can be hit by stray balls or pushed into the net when a player runs into it. It is very dangerous for the crowd and causes unfair referee calls, so keeping the crowd away from the netting is important.
Conclusion
Now, you understand soccer nets and their importance to the game. Watch the ball hit the netting the next time you play a match. What do you think? Did you notice that the ball went through the net? Did you notice some players got hit by stray balls or pushed into it? Did you see any unfair referee calls? If so, there should be no reason for you to play soccer. And for your information, it’s just not soccer that has safety netting; you will find sports safety nets for games such as baseball, lacrosse, tennis, etc.
