How to Make a Plastic Soccer Net

Make a plastic soccer net from vented pallet wrap. This net will be full size and for adult play, but it could easily be adapted to child size. Made from a combination of inexpensive and recycled parts, this net helps level the playing field for all budgets when it comes to getting a soccer goal. This article will explain how to make a plastic soccer net.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic vented pallet wrap (recycled from local grocer) Zip/cable ties Rope (non-cotton, clothesline) Plastic tent stakes (about $2.50 per six pack)

Instructions

1. Find a park that already has soccer goal posts. Reserve the soccer field for the day so you have time to build and test your new net. (This process should not take more than a few hours). Standard soccer goal posts are 8-feet high by 24-feet wide. When posts are at the correct height, use them to build the soccer net. Start at the top corner where one of the posts meets the cross bar.

2. Tie one end of the rope to the top corner of the goal. Feed out 9.45 feet of rope to reach the ground 5 feet behind the post, perpendicular to the cross bar between the posts.This measurement meets 'regulation' length. Drive a stake into the ground here. Run the rope parallel to the cross bar and stake it off 5 feet behind the other post. Run the rope up to the other post to tie it off at the top corner before cutting the rope.

3. Tie a separate rope to the first, behind the knot. Run the new rope along the post and down to the ground. Stake the rope down immediately behind the goal post. Run it back to the place where the first rope is staked, 5 feet behind the post, and tie the rope to the original rope. Use a secure knot. Do the same thing on the other side of the net. Run a section of rope along the cross bar at the top.

4. Attach one end of the vented plastic pallet wrap to the rope that is parallel to the post by using 4-inch plastic zip ties. Wrap the zip ties at each location and insert the flat end into the hole at the other end so that the zipping sound is heard when it is pulled tight. Zip tie the net at every other loop.

5. Unroll the plastic pallet wrap across the ropes that outline the net. Cut the wrap to match the angles of the rope and zip tie it firmly to the rope. Do the same on the other side of the net. Repeat the process above the first locations, zip tying the second layer of warp to the first where the two layers are allowed to overlap by 1 inch. Repeat the process with the third layer to reach the top. Make sure that this is done on both sides. Make sure to secure the bottom edge of the wrap to the rope on the ground.

6. Repeat the process of zip tying the layers to the rope and each other across the back of the goal. At the top and bottom margins, make sure to zip tie the rope securely to the rope.

7. Wrap a rope around the original ropes. Make sure to go through the plastic wrap to add more strength and stiffness to the edges. This also helps to reinforce the edges and reduces the possibility of gaps.

8. Use more stakes as needed to keep the net on the ground. Using a stake every 5 feet should do the trick.

Tips & Warnings

• 9.45 feet is a closer approximation to get you to regulation length, although 9.5 feet may be easier for people to build if the regulation lengths aren't as critical. Double check the zip ties by pulling at them. Double check your knots. If concerned about a knot coming loose in transit, use a piece of duct tape over it.

• Make sure all knots are tied correctly and are non-slip. Double check. Make sure stakes are driven completely into the ground so no one gets injured.

Resources

• Cable/zip ties (100 piece, 4 inch) example
• Plastic tent stakes example
• Vented pallet wrap example
• Clothesline rope