Every autumn term, or before a sports day, school PE teachers and youth-academy managers face the same question: we want to turn the playground into a football training space, but what exactly do we need to buy?
This article does not sell you a shopping list. Instead it gives you a complete planning framework, from assessing your space to building the equipment list, so you avoid both the things people forget to buy and the things they over-buy.
Step 1: Assess Your Site Conditions
Before planning, answer three questions.
1. How much usable area do you have?
| Site Type | Net Dimensions (L x W) | Suitable Format |
|---|---|---|
| Small yard / half pitch | 20 x 15 m and up | 5v5 training |
| Standard primary playground | 40 x 25 m | 7v7 |
| Secondary-school playground | 60 x 40 m | 9v9-11v11 |
| Full football pitch | 100 x 68 m | 11v11 matches |
A medium playground can usually be divided into 2-3 separate 5v5 training zones running in parallel.
2. What is the surface?
- Artificial turf: ideal, easy to peg, good ball feel
- Rubber track: no pegging allowed, use sandbag ballast or bases
- Concrete / hard ground: same as above, and check the inflatable goal base tubes for scuff protection
3. What age groups will use it most?
This drives goal-size selection. See our inflatable goal size guide.
Step 2: Plan Goal Quantities
A single training pitch usually needs 2 goals placed symmetrically. If three groups train at once, plan for three pairs (6 goals).
Practical configurations for most schools:
| Number of Students | Simultaneous Groups | Recommended Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | 1-2 | 2-4 |
| 30-60 | 2-3 | 4-6 |
| Over 60 | 3-4 | 6-8 |
The advantage of inflatable goals: deflate and pack them away when not in use, so they take no storage space and do not block other playground activities. See our inflatable goal range.
Step 3: Field Boundary Options
There are three ways to mark out a training boundary, from lowest to highest cost.
Option A: Flat Marker Boundary (recommended starting point)
Place training markers every 2-3 m along the perimeter, combined with white or colored markers to form a visual edge.
Pros: lowest cost, flexible to adjust, set up in 5 minutes Cons: balls roll out, so you need ball-fetchers
Good for: daily sessions, technical work, shape practice.
Option B: Portable Barrier Netting (matches / camps)
Our field scenario range includes modular portable netting around 1-1.2 m high, suitable when you need a clear physical boundary.
Pros: stops balls rolling out, better match feel, panels link together Cons: 15-30 minutes to install, needs a trolley to move
Good for: football carnivals, school leagues, summer camps.
Option C: Permanent Fencing (requires approval)
Steel or aluminum fencing is a construction project requiring approval, suited to schools with a dedicated pitch. It is outside the scope of this article.
Most schools end up choosing Option A plus some Option B: markers for everyday training, netting on match days.
Step 4: Training Marker Configuration
Markers are the core organizing tool. A complete set includes:
| Purpose | Recommended Count | Color Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Field boundary marking | 40-60 | White or yellow |
| Group / zone marking | 20-30 | One set each red / blue / green |
| Drill markers (dribbling / shooting) | 20-30 | Contrasting colors |
| Spares | 10-20 | Mixed |
Recommended starting quantity: 100 per set, enough to support 2-3 groups at once.
If you need numbered markers (for roll call or position numbering), choose discs with printed numbers. See our full training marker range.
Step 5: Complete Purchase List
Using a secondary school with a 60-player squad as an example:
- Inflatable goals 7.32 x 2.44 m x 6 (3 pairs)
- Inflatable goals 5 x 2 m x 4 (2 pairs, for U12-U14)
- Flat training markers x 200 (4 colors, 50 each)
- Portable netting x 1 set (matches / camps)
- Pumps x 3 (one per pitch)
- Spare ground pegs x 20
- Storage trolley x 1 (for netting)
Summary
Good field planning equals knowing your site conditions clearly, then choosing your configuration level by how often you will use it. You do not need to buy everything at once. Start with goals and markers, then add a fencing system as real demand grows.
For bulk orders or a custom plan, contact us.