FOOTBALL FIELD GOALS POST GUIDE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FOOTBALL FIELD GOAL POSTS

Football field goal posts are an essential piece of equipment for any football game. Whether it is a high school, college or NFL game, field goals play a key role, and games can’t take place without them. 

For those unfamiliar with the sport, the goal posts are unique in their design. Unlike the simple posts in soccer, they have a Y-shape, with two tall, forked prongs connected by a curved crossbar. It’s a distinctive look that sets American football apart.

Given the importance of football goal posts, we’ve created this comprehensive guide which covers the history of goal posts, football goal post dimensions, the materials used to make goal posts and much more.

THE HISTORY OF FIELD GOAL POSTS

The goal posts used in football have evolved significantly over the years. It’s not only the design that has changed either, as the position on the field has changed on multiple occasions. Below we’ll run through the history and transformation of field goal posts.

The sport of American football originated from rugby and soccer and the first goal posts used in the late 1800s were inspired by those sports. The two vertical posts and horizontal crossbar were positioned on the goal line which created some safety issues, and at that point field goals were worth more points than touchdowns

The NFL was founded in 1920 and from then until 1927 the goal shape and position remained unchanged. In 1927, the goal posts were moved back 10 yards to ensure NFL rules were consistent with NCAA rules, but that change saw fewer field goals and more tied games.

In 1933 the NFL created its own rulebook and opted to move the goal posts back to the goal line. That change meant that for the next few decades quarterbacks had to avoid the posts with any attempted passes (passes that hit the posts were ruled incomplete), whilst punters also had to avoid the posts when kicking from their own end zone.

After that date there were minimal changes to goals, but that all changed in 1967 when Joel Rottman’s "slingshot" or "gooseneck" goal design was introduced. Retired newspaper distributor Rottman came up with the idea whilst out dining with Montreal Alouettes coach Jim Trimble in a Montreal hotel. Inspired by the shape of a fork, Rottman proposed a new Y-shaped design that he believed was more aesthetically pleasing and safer than the traditional H-shaped posts. This innovative concept was showcased at the 1967 World's Fair in Montreal, and the one post goal design quickly increased player safety which meant it was adopted by the NFL.

Whilst the look of the posts now resembled the field goal posts we know today, their position on the field remained on the goal line until 1974 when the NFL made the landmark decision to move the goal posts to the back of the end zone. The main reason why football goals were moved backwards is because it improved player safety, but the move also helped encourage offenses to score touchdowns rather than field goals. Kicking a field goal was now more difficult with the goals moved further back, whilst quarterbacks now had an unobstructed end zone to throw into. During the same year, the standard height of the uprights above the crossbar was increased to 30ft (9.14m), which followed an increase 8 years earlier in 1966 which saw them increase from 10ft (3.05m) to 20ft (6.10m).

Since 1974 the changes to field goal posts have been minimal. Yellow paint is now typically used to enhance visibility for players, referees and spectators, and in 2014 the uprights above the crossbar increased in height again to 35ft (10.67m) following a proposal by then New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick. This increase in height was to help referees judge whether field goal kicks were successful or not. More padding is now used around goal post bases to increase player safety, and some technology has been introduced in more recent times but for the most part field goal posts haven’t changed that significantly since 1974.

FOOTBALL GOAL POST DIMENSIONS

Football goal posts can come in different sizes depending on the level of football being played. We will break down the sizes of each below, covering how tall and wide each type of field goal post is.

High School Football Goal Post Dimensions

High school goal post measurements can vary by state. While some states use the same size goals as NFL posts, others have smaller dimensions. Typically, high school goal posts measure 25 feet high, 23 feet by 4 inches wide, and have posts that are 15 feet tall.

College Football/NFL Goal Post Dimensions

College and NFL football goal posts share the same dimensions:  35 feet high, 18 feet by 6 inches wide, and 25 feet tall for the posts, meaning they are 10ft taller than high school football goals and nearly 5ft narrower.

FAQ'S

What color are football goal posts?

The color of football goal posts depends on the level of play. In the NFL, field goal posts must be sulfur yellow so all 32 teams in the league use yellow goal posts. At college and high school level the rules aren’t as strict. Typically, football goals used in college and high school football are either white or yellow. This is due to contrast and visibility, as football players, referees and spectators need to be able to see the goal clearly.

What materials are football goal posts made of?

Football goal posts are normally made from a combination of materials. The uprights and crossbar are often constructed from either steel or aluminum as both provide strength and durability. Most NFL and College Football field goal posts are made from aluminum as they are lighter in weight, which means they can be taken down with greater ease when not in use.

To ensure stability, the posts are usually anchored to the ground using concrete or a heavy metal base. The netting used behind the goal posts is typically made from nylon and polyester, which is strong and resistant to tearing.

Football posts vs rugby posts

Football posts differ significantly in their design and function. Rugby posts have a classic H-shaped, while football posts are a Y-shape. Rugby posts are typically lower and have a wider crossbar, while football posts are taller and have a narrower crossbar.

At Net World Sports we have high quality football field goal posts available in sizes to suit all ages. From full sized goals to smaller, combination football/soccer goals that can be used for multiple sports, you’re sure to find a goal to suit your needs here. We also have other football equipment available including football balls, training gear and gameday supplies.