I may receive a commission if you purchase products through the links on this page at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep this site free but doesn't affect my opinions in any way.
Once you have basic throwing and catching down, the next step in your offensive lacrosse skill development is to learn how to shoot.
Passing and catching can get you into scoring range, but you ultimately have to put the ball in the back of the net to put points on the scoreboard.
Getting a goal to practice on is a great way to improve this crucial skill. And luckily, there are many quality goals available today for cheap.
Whether you are interested in a simple practice goal for your backyard, a pop-up goal that you can store in your garage and transport, or an official game-ready goal, this guide can help you find the best option.
Best Lacrosse Goals
I’ve spent over 20 hours researching lacrosse goals to find the best options for all types of players.
Below you can find lacrosse goal reviews for the best options based on what you are specifically looking for.
Note that all of the following goals come with a net aside from the actual goal frame itself.
8 Best Lacrosse Goals:
- Best Heavy-Duty Goal & Net w/ Square Corners: Champion Sports Professional Lacrosse Goal
- Best Medium-Duty Goal w/ Square Corners: BSN Practice Lacrosse Goal & Net
- Best Pop-Up Goal: Rage Cage Brave Lacrosse Goal
- Best Goal That Folds Flat: EZGoal Lacrosse Folding Goal
- Best Goal w/ Rounded Corners: Gladiator Official Lacrosse Goal
- Best Lightweight Goal: Champion Sports LNGL Backyard Lacrosse Goal
- Best Youth Goal: Net Playz Kids Lacrosse Goal
- Best Box Goal: STX Lacrosse Folding Backyard Lacrosse Goal
Best Heavy-Duty Goal & Net w/ Square Corners: Champion Sports Professional Lacrosse Goal
Details
- My #1 Choice
- Dimensions: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Square corners
- Frame material: 1.75 in powder-coated steel
- Weight: 49 lbs
- Net Thickness: 5 mm
If you’re looking for a goal and net similar to the ones they use in high school and college games, this is your best bet. It comes with a heavy frame, thick net, and square corners, just like you use in a real game.
Pros
- Heavy-duty frame: The Champion Sports Professional Lacrosse Goal comes with the thickest frame and weighs more than any other goal on this list. The goal is unlikely to break down over time and should remain stable on even the hardest of shots.
- Heavy-duty net: The 5 mm net that comes with this goal is very thick and should hold up for powerful shooters.
- Net lacing rods: The net lacing rods on the backside of the goal make attaching the net easy.
- Square corners: This goal comes with square corners unlike many lacrosse practice goals. Competitive levels of lacrosse use square corners so you can practice on the real deal.
Cons
- Not easily collapsible: The goal doesn’t have a way to easily collapse it down for storage. You can take apart the frame if absolutely necessary but it may only make sense to choose this goal if you can leave it somewhere fully assembled.
Best Medium-Duty Goal w/ Square Corners: BSN Practice Lacrosse Goal & Net
Details
- Size: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Square corners
- Frame material: 13-gauge powder-coated steel
- Weight: 44 lbs
- Net Thickness: 3 mm
If you want a goal that is similar to what you would use in a game, but want to save a few bucks, this is a great option. It comes with square corners, a decently heavy frame, and a medium-thickness net.
Pros
- Easy assembly: The goal is easy to assemble and comes with a lacing rod on the frame to make attaching the net simple.
- Heavier than most: This goal is heavier than most alternatives, making it a good option for more advanced players.
- Square corners: This goal is the same shape as high school, collegiate, and professional goals so you can practice on what you play on (or will play on at higher levels of competition).
Cons
- Not collapsible: Unlike some other goals, you can’t easily collapse this goal down or fold it up for easier storage.
Best Pop-Up Goal: Rage Cage Brave Lacrosse Goal
Details
- My #1 Choice – What I Use
- Size: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Rounded corners
- Frame material: Powder-coated 1.25″ OD steel
- Weight: 34 lbs
- Net Thickness: 2 mm
The Rage Cage Brave is what I currently use for shooting and is the best collapsible lacrosse goal I've ever used.
Unlike other goals that you have to take completely apart each time you use it, the Rage Cage folds down into an L-shape that easily fits into the trunk of a car, in the garage, or anywhere else.
This full-sized lacrosse goal has a 1.25″ OD steel frame and a 2 mm net. I have had no problems with the frame breaking down over time. I did have to buy a replacement net after about a year of use as the included 2 mm net started to rip.
Pros
- Collapse down & set up in under 1 minutes: I'm not exaggerating when I say this goal can be set up and broken down in under a minute once you know how to do it (which isn't hard).
- No need to complete break apart: Unlike other goals on this list, you don't have to completely take apart the Rage Cage Brave each time you are done using it. It folds down nicely into an easily-transportable L-shape.
- Frame is built to last: I've used this Rage Cage model throughout my high school years and beyond and haven't had any issues with the frame getting dented or breaking down otherwise.
- Comes with shooting target: This model comes with a yellow shooting target that blocks out the middle of the goal to help you practice shooting for the corners and sides of the goal.
Cons
- Thin net: The 2 mm net that comes with the goal is pretty thin and may rip easily for more advanced players.
Best Goal That Folds Flat: EZGoal Lacrosse Folding Goal
Details
- Size: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Rounded corners
- Frame material: 1.5 in powder-coated 17-gauge steel
- Weight: 34.4 lbs
- Net Thickness: Not disclosed
If you are looking for a goal that folds flat for easy storage, this is the way to go. While it will still be 6 ft tall by 6 ft wide, the back triangle folding in makes it easy to store in a garage or along your house.
Pros
- Collapse down & set up in under 10 minutes: This goal is designed to collapse down quickly to fit inside a carrying case. It takes under 10 minutes to set back up once you are ready to rip again.
- Lifetime warranty on net: Though the net that comes with the goal isn’t the thickest, GoSports offers a lifetime warranty on the net should you rip any holes in it.
- Great customer service: Many customers said they had a great experience with the customer service team at GoSports. You can rest assured knowing that if anything goes wrong, GoSports will be there to help you out.
Cons
- Thin net: The 2.5 mm net that comes with the goal is pretty thin and may rip easily for more advanced players. It does come with a lifetime warranty, though.
- Cloth material around pipes: Some players may not like the cloth material that wraps around the pipes.
Best Goal w/ Rounded Corners: Gladiator Official Lacrosse Goal
Details
- Size: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Rounded corners
- Frame material: 1.5 in steel
- Weight: 39 lbs
- Net Thickness: 3 mm
If you are looking for a sturdy backyard goal with a decent net for a cheap price, you should consider the Gladiator Official Lacrosse Goal. Note that it has rounded corners unlike most regulation goals that have square corners.
Pros
- Sturdy: The steel frame helps give this backyard goal some weight to keep it steady during shooting sessions.
- Easy to assemble & disassemble: While this isn’t a pop-up goal, it doesn’t take long to assemble or disassemble the frame should you need to move it around.
- Decent net: The 3 mm net is thicker than many comparable goals that only have 2.5 mm nets.
Cons
- No net lacing rods: You have to hold the net up to the frame and loop string around it to attach it to the goal. This is much more difficult and time-consuming than goals that have net lacing rods.
- Not collapsible: This goal isn’t designed to collapse down easily like some other options.
- Net may be too thin for hard shooters: Despite this goal coming with a better net than others, it still may be too thin for hard-shooting high school and college players.
Best Lightweight Goal: Champion Sports LNGL Backyard Lacrosse Goal
Details
- Size: Standard – 6 ft x 6 ft
- Shape: Square corners
- Frame material: 1.5 in steel
- Weight: 14.75 lbs
- Net Thickness: 2.3 mm
If you are looking for a full-sized goal that a younger player can move around, this option from Champion weighing is a good option. It only weighs around 15 lbs but doesn't collapse down.
Pros
- Lightweight: Weighing in at under 15 lbs, this goal is light enough for one person to move around with ease.
- Square corners: This goal has square corners like most high school, collegiate, and professional goals.
Cons
- May be too light for hard shooters: The drawback of this goal being so light is that it may move around when facing hard shots.
- Thin net: The net on this goal is very thin. Middle school players and up may find that they put holes in the spots they hit often.
- Not collapsible: This goal isn’t designed to easily break down and set up between uses.
Best Youth Goal: Net Playz Kids Lacrosse Goal
Details
- Size: Box/Youth – 4 ft x 4 ft
- Shape: Rounded corners
- Frame material: Fiberglass
- Weight: 6.25 lbs
- Net Thickness: Not disclosed
If you are looking for a collapsible goal for your child, this Net Playz Kids goal is a solid choice. You can set it up in seconds and it comes with a carrying bag.
Pros
- Collapsible: You can easily collapse this goal down to fit into a carrying case and set it back up in minutes.
- Very lightweight: Weighing in at 6.25 lbs, this goal is light enough for most children to move around.
- Cheap: This goal is far cheaper than any of the others on this list (though that’s to be expected since it’s a youth goal).
- Square corners: This goal comes with square corners unlike many lacrosse practice goals. Competitive levels of lacrosse use square corners so you can practice on the real deal.
Cons
- Not many customer reviews: There aren’t many customer reviews available online.
- Only good for young kids: This goal likely won’t hold up for players age 10 or higher.
Best Box Goal: STX Lacrosse Folding Backyard Lacrosse Goal
Details
- Size: Box – 4 ft x 4 ft
- Shape: Rounded corners
- Frame material: 1.5 in steel
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Net Thickness: 3 mm
If you are looking for a box lacrosse goal, this is a great option. It comes with a pretty thick net and a solid steel frame that folds up for easy storage.
Pros
- Folds flat: The back triangle part of the frame folds flat for easy storage.
- Decent net: The 3 mm net is thicker than those that come with many standard-size goals.
- Easy to transport: Weighing only 25 lbs, this goal is easy to move around.
Cons
- Rounded corners: This goal has rounded corners unlike true box lacrosse goals that have square corners.
- No net lacing rods: You must loop string around the net and frame to attach the net. This takes much longer than goals with net lacing rods.
Choosing Which Type of Lacrosse Goal is Right for You
It can be hard to choose a lacrosse goal with so many to choose from. They come in different shapes and sizes, are made of different materials, and all have unique features.
It’s not too difficult, though, once you consider the type of player that will be using it and know what to look for.
Here are the most important things you should keep in mind when looking for the top lacrosse goal for yourself or your child:
1) Size
The first thing you need to consider is what size goal you need.
Most players will need a standard 6 ft by 6 ft goal. This is what most levels of field lacrosse use from youth to professional.
If you are a box lacrosse player or want a goal for a smaller space, you should look for a 4 ft by 4 ft goal—the standard box lacrosse goal size.
Finally, if you have a young child who is just learning the game, you could look for a youth-specific goal. These are usually around the size of a box goal or smaller and are great for young players to learn on.
2) Official Goal vs. Practice Goal
The next thing you should consider when shopping for a lacrosse goal is whether you want a regulation-shaped goal like high school and colleges use or if a practice goal is fine.
Regulation-shaped goals have square corners and are typically more expensive but heavier and more durable.
Practice goals (sometimes referred to as backyard goals) often have rounded corners and are lighter than official goals.
3) Weight & Frame Material
If you are a harder shooter, you should look for a heavier steel goal that won’t move if you hit the pipe or net. You should look for a frame with at least a 1.5 inch diameter that is over 30 lbs.
Younger players, on the other hand, may be better off with a lighter goal that they can move around themselves. These may be made out of fiberglass, plastic, or a lighter metal.
4) Collapsibility or Foldability
Think about where you plan on keeping and using your goal.
Do you want to store it inside or in a tight space? Do you plan on taking it to different fields with you?
If so, you may want to look for a portable lacrosse goal that is designed to easily collapse down (if planning on traveling with it) or fold flat (if just want to store it in smaller spaces).
If you don’t mind leaving your goal in your yard or wherever else you shoot, you should be fine with a standard goal. You can almost always still break these down to smaller pieces if you need to move the goal—it may just take a bit longer.
5) Net Thickness
You should also make sure to choose a lacrosse goal with a net that won’t tear when you shoot on it.
Here is the net thickness you should look for based on your level of play:
- Youth: 2.5 mm+
- U14: 3 mm+
- High School: 5 mm+
- College & Professional: 6 mm+
If your net starts ripping, you may be able to extend its lifespan some by using zip ties or string to close up holes. Just know that this will cause other parts of the net to be tighter, possibly leading to more holes.
Note that there are also many replacement nets available online. If you find that the net on the goal you purchased isn’t strong enough, you can always buy a stronger replacement.
6) How Net is Attached
There are two main ways lacrosse nets are attached to goals: by looping the string around the frame or by using a net lacing rod.
While it doesn’t make a huge difference in the performance of the goal/net, it’s much easier to attach a net through a net lacing rod.
This is a thin piece of metal on the backside of the goal frame that you can loop string through to attach the net as opposed to looping it around the entire metal frame.
7) Assembly
Finally, you should consider how difficult it is to assemble the goal.
The initial assembly is usually the hardest part—and there are definitely some goals that are easier than others.
You may also want to choose a goal that is easier to take apart and reassemble should you ever have to move it to a different location.
Look for a goal that comes with clear assembly instructions and read customer reviews to learn about their experience with it.
Drills You Can Use Your Lacrosse Goal For
When I was in high school and college, I used my goal a few times a week for various drills. Aside from the whole improving my skills part of it, I absolutely loved going outside with my friends and just shooting for hours on end.
Below you can find some of my favorite drills. It’s super important to use both hands equally when shooting. It may feel weird shooting with your off-hand, but you’ll never get better unless you practice it.
Time and room shots
This is the simplest form of shooting. Line up anywhere from 8 to 15 yards away from the goal and simply shoot the ball. You can also have a friend feed you the ball or use a rebounder for a more game-like experience.
On the run shots
While it’s much more difficult, shooting on the run is one of the most crucial skills to develop of attackmen and middies. Start wherever you usually play on the field (towards the top of the box, side of the box, or from X), pretend like you are dodging your defender (or dodge a real defender), and shoot the ball while you are running.
Catching feeds on the run and shooting
In this drill, you are still shooting on the run, except that instead of dodging, you have a friend (or rebounder) throw you the ball after you begin running. Catch the ball and shoot without ever stopping your feet.
In-close shots
Last but not least, you can practice your crease shots on your new goal. Work on changing your levels in close and throwing fakes to keep the goalie off balance. In addition, you should keep your feet moving like you would in most games.
How We Rate Lacrosse Goals
We take our ratings seriously and only recommend products that we would use ourselves.
To come up with our ratings for each product, we test the product ourselves whenever possible, review product specifications (weight, materials used, etc.), and read customer reviews/talk to lacrosse players we know that use the product.
While we can't physically test out every single lacrosse goal on the market, we do our best to try out each that we rate. When testing lacrosse goals, we mainly consider the frame materials used and the net thickness. Aside from that, we consider if the materials seem high quality to get a gauge of whether the goal will hold up well over time.
If you ever have any feedback for any of the products listed on this page or have a recommended addition, please contact us and let us know!
What Else You May Need With Your Lacrosse Goal
Buying a lacrosse goal is a great first step to improving your skills. There are, however, many other lacrosse training aids you can use in conjunction with your goal to take your game to the next level.
Here are some you may want to consider:
Backstop
If you are shooting around houses, cars, or anything else that you don’t want to break, it’s always a good idea to get a backstop for your goal. These are very large nets that you can set up behind your goal to stop any misses from flying away. They also make collecting your balls much easier. Check out our recommended lacrosse backstops here.
Rebounder
Using a rebounder while shooting is a great way to practice receiving feeds. You can throw the ball off the rebounder, receive it, and shoot it—similar to how you would do in a real game. Check out our recommended lacrosse rebounders here.
Targets/Shot blockers
There are many shooting targets and goal blockers (anyone heard of Hector the Rejector?) that you can use to practice your accuracy and simulate having a goalie in goal.
Replacement net
If the net that came with your goal didn’t hold up well, you can purchase a replacement net. Check out the “Net Thickness” section above to get an idea of what thickness to look for or check out our replacement lacrosse net guide here.
Cones
Though they are simple, cones are a great compliment to a lacrosse goal for setting up drills and making sure you are shooting from where you want to. You can check out cones on Amazon here.