Open Goaaal vs SKLZ: Which Soccer Training System Is Best for Your Backyard?

SKLZ is the biggest name in soccer training equipment. Walk into any Dick’s Sporting Goods, Target, or Walmart, and you’ll find their products on the shelf. They sponsor EPL and MLS professionals. For most parents buying their kid’s first training gear, SKLZ is the default choice.

But is the default choice always the best one? Open Goaaal takes a different approach — instead of selling individual training tools separately, they offer a patented 3-in-1 system that combines a goal, rebounder, and backstop into one integrated structure. This guide compares both brands head-to-head so you can decide which system fits your family’s training needs.

Quick Comparison at a Glance

Feature	Open Goaaal	SKLZ
Product type	Goal + Rebounder + Backstop (integrated 3-in-1)	Goals, rebounders, and trainers (sold separately)
Starting price	$189.99 (3-in-1 system)	$49.99 (goal only) / $89.99 (rebounder only)
Most comparable product	Standard 9’x5’ ($399.99)	Soccer Trainer Goal 8.5’x5’ ($274.99) — no backstop
Backstop included?	Yes — catches all shots	No — not available in any SKLZ product
Setup time	1-2 hours (one-time)	2 minutes per product
Portability	Semi-permanent backyard install	Highly portable, carry bags included
Frame material	1.5mm steel poles	PVC (goals) / Steel (Pro Trainer)
Size range	4’x6’ to full Regulation	6’x4’ to 12’x6’ (varies by product)
Best for	All-in-one backyard training station	Mix-and-match portable training
Customer reviews	17,783+ reviews (4.53 stars)	Thousands per product (varies)
Retail availability	Dick’s, Best Buy, Amazon	Dick’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, Academy
Warranty	1 year, US-based support	1 year

What Is SKLZ?

SKLZ (pronounced “skills”) is the dominant brand in sports training equipment, owned by PRG Group. Their product line spans soccer, baseball, basketball, football, and golf — they make training tools for nearly every sport. In soccer specifically, SKLZ offers everything from pop-up goals to rebounders to agility equipment.

Their soccer product line includes eight key products:

• Quickster Soccer Trainer ($129.99): Dual-sided rebounder (6’x4’ large side + 6’x20” small side), ultra-portable at just 6.2 lbs
• Soccer Trainer Pro ($249.99): Premium rebounder with rapid-tension system and adjustable returns
• Soccer Trainer Goal ($274.99): Their closest competitor to Open Goaaal — a 2-in-1 goal + rebounder at 8.5’x5’. No backstop.
• Soccer Trainer Board ($89.99): Board-style rebounder with flippable surfaces
• Soccer Trainer Solo ($119.99): Ball-attached solo trainer for individual footwork
• Pro Training Defender ($224.99): Adjustable-height mannequin defender for dribbling drills
• Quickster Soccer Goal ($49.99-$129.99): Pop-up portable goals in 6’x4’ and 12’x6’ sizes
• Pro Training Soccer Goal ($149.99-$199.99): Heavy-duty portable goals

SKLZ is available at every major US retailer — Dick’s, Target, Walmart, Amazon, and Academy Sports. They market partnerships with EPL and MLS professionals. For brand recognition alone, SKLZ is hard to beat. They’re the training equipment brand most parents have heard of.

What Is Open Goaaal?

Open Goaaal is a patented 3-in-1 soccer training system that integrates a goal, rebounder, and backstop into one structure. The backstop surrounds the goal, catching every shot — on target or off — and returning the ball to the player. No balls flying over fences, no broken windows, no interruptions.

Open Goaaal offers five sizes ranging from $189.99 to $599.99:

• Triple Function Rebounder (4’x6’): $189.99 — compact entry-level 3-in-1
• Junior (8’x4.5’): $299.99 — ages 6-10, 16’x8’ backstop
• Standard (9’x5’): $399.99 — most popular, ages 8-14, 22’x10’ backstop
• Large (16’x7’): $499.99 — teens and adults, 29’x10’ backstop
• Regulation: $599.99 — professional size with full backstop

All models feature 1.5mm steel poles, heavy-duty netting, and include free corner targets and free shipping. With 17,783+ reviews at 4.53 stars and over 149,000 units sold, Open Goaaal has built serious customer validation. Available at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and Amazon.

Head-to-Head: Key Differences

The Backstop Factor: Open Goaaal’s Biggest Advantage

This is the single most important difference between Open Goaaal and SKLZ: no SKLZ product includes a backstop. Not the Quickster. Not the Soccer Trainer Pro. Not even the $274.99 Soccer Trainer Goal, which is SKLZ’s closest competitor to Open Goaaal.

Without a backstop, every missed shot flies past the goal into the yard, the fence, the street, or the neighbor’s property. Your kid spends half of practice time retrieving balls instead of training. With Open Goaaal’s backstop, the ball always comes back. Practice never stops.

For parents, this matters enormously. The backstop means kids can practice independently — no adult needs to stand behind the goal catching shots. It also means no property damage worries. If the ball going everywhere is your number one frustration with backyard soccer practice, Open Goaaal solves it. SKLZ doesn’t have an answer for this.

Product Flexibility vs Integration

SKLZ takes a modular approach: buy what you need today, add more later. Want a portable goal? Quickster Soccer Goal for $49.99. Need a rebounder? Quickster Soccer Trainer for $129.99. Want agility training? They have cone sets and ladders too. Each product is purpose-built for a specific type of drill.

Open Goaaal takes the integrated approach: one purchase, one system, everything works together from day one. Goal, rebounder, and backstop are all part of the same structure.

SKLZ gives you more flexibility and choice. Open Goaaal gives you simplicity and better total value if you want the complete training experience.

Portability and Setup

SKLZ wins on portability — and it’s not close. The Quickster Soccer Trainer weighs 6.2 lbs and comes with a carry bag. Set it up in 2 minutes at the park, fold it up when you’re done. Most SKLZ products fit in a car trunk and can travel to tournaments, fields, or a friend’s backyard.

Open Goaaal is designed for permanent backyard installation. It takes 1-2 hours to assemble with two people, and then it stays in your yard. You can take it down if you move, but it’s not built for weekly transport.

If you need to move your training equipment regularly, SKLZ is the clear winner. If you want a training station that’s always ready when you walk into the backyard, Open Goaaal eliminates setup entirely after the first assembly.

Build Quality and Durability

SKLZ goals use PVC frames — lightweight and portable, but less durable for permanent outdoor exposure. The Soccer Trainer Pro uses a steel frame with a rapid-tension system, which is higher quality. SKLZ netting is UV and weather-resistant, designed to handle outdoor use but optimized for portability rather than permanence.

Open Goaaal uses 1.5mm steel poles across all sizes with heavy-duty netting and a bungee attachment system. It’s engineered for year-round outdoor installation — rain, sun, snow. The steel construction is heavier but significantly more durable for a permanent backyard setup.

For portable use, SKLZ’s lighter construction makes sense. For a permanent installation that needs to withstand years of daily practice and weather exposure, Open Goaaal is built for the job.

Price Comparison: Total Cost of Ownership

SKLZ looks cheaper at first glance, but the comparison depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Here are three common buying scenarios:

Scenario 1: “I just want a rebounder”

• SKLZ Quickster Soccer Trainer: $129.99
• Open Goaaal Triple Function Rebounder: $189.99
• Winner: SKLZ — if all you want is a standalone rebounder, they’re $60 cheaper.

Scenario 2: “I want a goal + rebounder”

• SKLZ Soccer Trainer Goal (2-in-1, 8.5’x5’): $274.99 — but no backstop
• Open Goaaal Standard (3-in-1, 9’x5’): $399.99 — includes backstop + free corner targets
• Winner: Open Goaaal — the backstop alone is worth more than the $125 difference. You’d spend $100+ buying a separate backstop for the SKLZ, and it still wouldn’t be integrated.

Scenario 3: “I want a full backyard training setup”

• SKLZ: Quickster Goal ($79.99) + Quickster Trainer ($129.99) + separate backstop net (~$100) = approximately $310 — three separate products, no integration
• Open Goaaal Standard: $399.99 — one integrated system with goal, rebounder, backstop, and corner targets
• Winner: SKLZ is about $90 cheaper, but you’re managing three separate products with no integration. Open Goaaal is seamless.

Brand Trust and Availability

SKLZ has wider brand recognition. They’re in more stores, they sponsor professional athletes, and most sports parents have heard the name. That brand familiarity matters — it’s why SKLZ is the default choice for many first-time buyers.

Open Goaaal has built a different kind of trust: 17,783+ customer reviews at 4.53 stars and over 149,000 units sold. They’re available at Dick’s Sporting Goods, Best Buy, and Amazon — not as widespread as SKLZ, but in the retailers that matter most. Their patented 3-in-1 design and massive customer review base provide strong credibility, especially for buyers who research before purchasing.

Who Should Choose Open Goaaal?

• Families who want a complete backyard soccer station — goal, rebounder, and backstop in one
• Parents tired of chasing balls over fences or into the neighbor’s yard
• Players who want continuous practice flow without interruptions
• Anyone who wants to buy one product instead of assembling a training setup from separate pieces
• Those who value steel-frame durability for permanent outdoor installation
• Families with kids who will grow into the sport — five sizes cover ages 6 through adult

Who Should Choose SKLZ?

• Players who need portable equipment for the field, park, gym, or tournament travel
• Coaches buying training equipment that needs to move between locations
• Budget-conscious buyers who want to start small and add equipment over time
• Those who want specialized tools — solo trainers, rebound boards, training defenders
• Players who train at multiple locations throughout the week
• Families testing a child’s commitment to soccer before investing in a permanent system

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely — and many serious soccer families do. Open Goaaal and SKLZ are complementary, not mutually exclusive. The best setup combines Open Goaaal as the permanent backyard training station for daily practice with SKLZ tools for field sessions, travel, and specialized drills.

Here’s what a combined weekly schedule might look like:

• Monday and Wednesday: SKLZ Quickster Trainer at the field for focused passing and first-touch drills
• Tuesday and Thursday: Open Goaaal Standard in the backyard for shooting, receiving, and full game simulation
• Saturday: SKLZ agility equipment for speed and footwork, then Open Goaaal for finishing practice

Open Goaaal gives you the foundation. SKLZ adds portable, specialized tools for specific skills. Together, they cover every training scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Open Goaaal better than SKLZ?

They serve different purposes. Open Goaaal is a 3-in-1 backyard system — goal, rebounder, and backstop integrated into one structure. SKLZ sells individual training tools separately. For a permanent backyard training station, Open Goaaal is the better choice. For portable, mix-and-match training across multiple locations, SKLZ is more versatile.

Does SKLZ make a soccer rebounder with a backstop?

No. No SKLZ product includes a backstop. The SKLZ Soccer Trainer Goal ($274.99) is a 2-in-1 goal and rebounder, but missed shots still fly past. Open Goaaal is the only major brand offering an integrated backstop that catches all shots.

Which is cheaper, Open Goaaal or SKLZ?

SKLZ starts lower — $49.99 for a basic pop-up goal vs $189.99 for Open Goaaal’s Triple Function Rebounder. But to match Open Goaaal’s 3-in-1 functionality, you’d need to buy a SKLZ goal, rebounder, and separate backstop — totaling $300+ with no integration. For a complete training setup, Open Goaaal offers better total value.

Is the SKLZ Quickster Soccer Trainer worth it?

Yes, for what it does. The Quickster is an excellent portable dual-sided rebounder weighing just 6.2 lbs. It’s great for field training, travel, and quick sessions anywhere. It’s not a goal, though, and it doesn’t have a backstop — so you’re getting a focused rebounder, not a complete training system.

What size Open Goaaal matches the SKLZ Soccer Trainer Goal?

The SKLZ Soccer Trainer Goal is 8.5’x5’. The closest Open Goaaal size is the Standard (9’x5’) at $399.99. The Standard also includes a 22’x10’ backstop and free corner targets — features the SKLZ Soccer Trainer Goal doesn’t offer at any price.

Can I use SKLZ products indoors?

Yes. The Quickster Soccer Trainer, Soccer Trainer Board, and Soccer Trainer Solo are all compact and lightweight enough for indoor gym or garage use. Open Goaaal models are designed for outdoor backyard installation.

Which brand do professional players use?

SKLZ markets partnerships with EPL and MLS professionals. Open Goaaal has sold over 149,000 units and has 17,783+ customer reviews from families, players, and coaches. Both are credible, well-proven training solutions.

Do I need a backstop for soccer training?

If you’re training in a backyard near windows, fences, or neighbors — yes. A backstop catches missed shots and keeps the ball in play, which means practice continues without interruptions. Open Goaaal includes an integrated backstop with every model. With SKLZ, you’d need to purchase a separate backstop net, and it won’t be integrated with the goal.

The Verdict

SKLZ is the established market leader for a reason — their products are well-made, widely available, and cover a huge range of training needs. If you want portable, mix-and-match equipment that you can grab and go, SKLZ delivers.

But Open Goaaal offers something SKLZ simply doesn’t have: an integrated 3-in-1 system with a backstop. The ball always comes back. Practice never stops. Kids can train independently. No separate products to manage, no balls flying over the fence. For families who train primarily in the backyard, that combination of goal, rebounder, and backstop in one structure is the smarter investment.

If your primary training location is the backyard, choose Open Goaaal. If you need portable equipment for multiple locations, choose SKLZ. If you want both worlds, use Open Goaaal at home and SKLZ on the road.

Ready to set up your backyard training station? Shop Open Goaaal soccer goals and find the perfect size for your family. Also see how Open Goaaal compares to QuickPlay and Goalrilla.