Football Equipment – Goal Posts, Blocking Sleds, Training Aids & Scoreboards for Every Level

Football equipment covers the full range of what it takes to build, train, and run a competitive program — from the goal posts anchored in the end zone that define the kicking game, to the blocking sleds and training dummies that develop the hand placement, leverage, and drive mechanics offensive and defensive linemen need to compete at the next level, to the scoreboards that make every game a complete stadium experience. Football is the most equipment-intensive team sport in the United States, and the quality of that equipment determines whether a program trains its athletes in the same conditions they'll face in competition, or settles for improvised substitutes that build habits that don't transfer. Every position on the field has specific training needs — linemen need sleds that teach blow delivery and angle blocking, quarterbacks need targets and throwing aids, kickers need regulation goal posts to aim at, and coaches need training tools that provide mechanical feedback rather than just repetition volume. Pro Athletic Supply carries football equipment from Rae Crowther, Gared Performance Sports Systems, Varsity Scoreboards, and JayPro Sports — blocking sleds, pop-up dummies, training aids, regulation goal posts at high school and collegiate specifications, football scoreboards, and the accessories that complete a program's equipment inventory.

✔ Rae Crowther Sleds — The Same Pan Sled Design Used by NFL Teams Since 1932 — Rae Crowther's Classic Two Man Pan Sled has been around since 1932. Teams drilled on Crowther sleds are generally hard-hitting teams. The pan base design spins away if the player hits incorrectly, giving immediate mechanical feedback that no verbal coaching cue can replicate as efficiently during high-repetition sled sessions.

✔ Gared Football Goal Posts — High School and Collegiate Regulation Dimensions in Multiple Installation Formats — Gared's football goal post lineup covers high school (23' 4" crossbar spacing) and collegiate (18' 6" crossbar spacing) specifications in 4.5-inch and 5-9/16-inch O.D. post diameters, with permanent, sleeve-mount, and surface-mount installation options — the full specification range that covers any field type and any installation situation from a new athletic complex to an existing multi-sport field.

✔ Varsity Scoreboards Football Models — LED Digits, Wireless Remote, 5-Year Warranty for Game-Day Operations — Varsity Scoreboards' football scoreboard lineup includes models from the 7430 (8'x4') for smaller programs through the 7532 (32'x10') for large football facilities — all featuring 100,000-hour rated LED numerals, 22-gauge galvanneal steel cabinets with powder-coat finish, outdoor horn, and a 5-year limited warranty.

✔ Combination Soccer/Football Goal Posts — Maximize Field Use for Multi-Sport Athletic Programs — Gared's FGP200 combination soccer/football goalpost integrates an official 8'x24' soccer goal with football uprights at 23' 4" high school spacing — constructed of 4-inch square steel tubing in white powder coat for the multi-sport field that can't dedicate separate space to each sport's infrastructure.

✔ Ceiling-Hung Retractable Football Goal Posts — Transform Practice Facilities and Multi-Sport Gymnasiums — Gared's FGP002 ceiling-hung football goal posts electrically retract to the ceiling — 18'6" collegiate crossbar spacing and 30-foot aluminum uprights that descend for kicking practice and retract when the facility needs to serve basketball, volleyball, or other programming.

Football Goal Posts – High School, Collegiate & Combination Configurations

Football goal posts are the most permanent and most visible piece of football field infrastructure — the standards that define where field goals are attempted, where extra points are kicked, and around which every game's kicking game strategy is built. Every organized football program from middle school through college competes under specific governing body specifications for goal post dimensions: high school competition uses a crossbar width of 23 feet 4 inches; collegiate competition uses 18 feet 6 inches. Getting these dimensions right matters — kickers who train on non-regulation goal posts develop aim and trajectory habits that don't transfer to competition conditions. Gared's football goal post lineup covers both specifications with a complete range of post diameters (4.5-inch O.D. for standard high school use, 5-9/16-inch O.D. for higher-strength applications), colors (white or yellow powder coat), and installation methods (permanent, sleeve-mount for removable installation, and surface mount) — plus the FGP200 combination soccer/football goalpost and the FGP002 ceiling-hung retractable model for indoor practice facilities. Goal post pads in multiple colors with custom graphics options are available for player safety at the base post.

Best for:

• High school athletic programs installing permanent or sleeve-mount goal posts on dedicated football fields who need regulation 23'4" crossbar spacing in the correct post diameter for their competition level and installation surface
• Collegiate athletic facilities and training complexes specifying the 18'6" crossbar spacing goal posts in the 5-9/16" O.D. heavyweight specification for the structural requirements of a collegiate-level installation
• Multi-sport athletic programs that share field space between football, soccer, and other activities who want the FGP200 combination goal or the ground sleeve system that allows goal post removal when the field converts to other uses

Football Blocking Sleds & Training Dummies – Rae Crowther's Fundamental Development Equipment

The blocking sled is the piece of football training equipment that has no equal for teaching the foundational mechanics of offensive and defensive line play — and Rae Crowther has been manufacturing the industry-defining sleds for football programs at every level since 1932. The Classic Two Man Pan Sled is the king of teaching the body mechanics of blow delivery — the pan base spins away if hit incorrectly, giving players direct mechanical feedback on every rep. The Classic 7 Man Sled serves shoulder-blocking teams with 56-inch wide pad spacing and an adjustable pad height with run-through frame for teams that want high-volume, multi-player blocking repetitions. The X-Rae Angle Blocking Sled is the only sled of its kind for angle and down blocking — purpose-built to teach players to understand angles and lines of force in zone blocking schemes. The Tackle Breaker Sled offers power bag and S-pad configurations for collision, evasion, and tackling technique work. Pop-up dummies, the Sling Ball training aid, QB catch vests and fumblers, and Rae Crowther's speed and strength training sleds complete the most comprehensive football training equipment ecosystem available to scholastic and collegiate programs.

Best for:

• Offensive line coaches who want the mechanically informative pan base of the Classic Two Man Sled to teach blow delivery and block fundamentals — the sled whose base spins on incorrect technique, providing the real-time self-correction feedback that coaches use to reduce technique errors without extended individual instruction time
• Programs running wide zone and angle blocking schemes who want the X-Rae's unique angle-and-down-blocking-specific design — the sled that develops the lateral force vectors of zone concepts in a way that straight-ahead sleds can't replicate
• Athletic programs building a complete practice facility training equipment inventory who want to source blocking sleds, pop-up dummies, training aids, and specialty equipment from a single authorized manufacturer that has served football programs at every level for over 90 years

Football Scoreboards – Varsity Scoreboards LED Models for Every Program Size

Football scoreboards are the game-day infrastructure component that completes the stadium experience for players, coaches, and spectators — and the clarity, reliability, and information display quality of the scoreboard directly affects how professional the game environment feels from the moment the clock starts running. Football scoreboards must display down, distance, ball position, score, and time clearly enough to be read from every seat in the venue, in direct sunlight and low-light conditions, through every type of weather a fall football season produces. Varsity Scoreboards' football models use 15-inch through 32-inch super-bright 100,000-hour rated LED numerals that maintain readability in direct sunlight without the washed-out display problems that lower-brightness alternatives create on fall afternoons. The 7430 model at 8'x4' serves smaller athletic programs and smaller venues with a 15-inch LED display and outdoor horn. The 7532 at 32'x10' serves larger football programs with 32-inch, 26-inch, and 20-inch LED digits, Home/Guest Score, To Go, Ball On, and clock displays — all in a galvanized steel cabinet with powder-coat finish and optional wireless remote control with a high-gain antenna.

Best for:

• High school football programs replacing aging scoreboard infrastructure with LED-upgraded Varsity Scoreboards models that provide brighter displays, longer LED service life at 100,000 hours, and the 5-year limited warranty that protects the institutional investment
• Athletic directors building new athletic facility installations who need to specify a football scoreboard from a manufacturer with the institutional track record and warranty coverage that school board and facilities approval processes require
• Multi-sport facilities using the Varsity Scoreboards models with soccer conversion kit options — the football scoreboard that converts to track and display soccer match information when the same field hosts both sports across different seasons

Football Goal Post Pads & Safety Accessories – Player Protection at the Post

Football goal post pads are the player safety accessory that every football program installing goal posts should include in the same purchase — and in most athletic facility safety standards, they are the required safety layer for any goal post where players may contact the base post during play or practice. Gared's GSPPAD4 Football Goalpost Pad is designed for posts up to 6-inch O.D., constructed of 4-inch thick high-density urethane foam covered with 18 oz UV-resistant coated vinyl. Standard colors available include black, marine blue, royal blue, navy blue, beige, yellow, orange, red, white, grey, kelly green, forest green, burgundy, and purple. Custom colors and graphics are available — programs that want school colors or logos on the goal post pad can specify custom graphics through the ordering process. Ground sleeves from Gared — available separately in 4.5-inch (FGP400GS) and 5-9/16-inch (FGP600GS) sizes — allow goal posts to be removed during the off-season or when the field converts to other sports, inserted 4 feet into the soil for maximum goalpost stability during use.

Best for:

• Athletic programs installing new Gared football goal posts who want the compatible goalpost pad and ground sleeves specified and ordered alongside the goal posts — the complete installation that arrives ready to set up without discovering missing safety components after the posts are in the ground
• Programs replacing worn or damaged goal post pads on existing Gared goal post installations who want the correct pad specification for up to 6-inch O.D. posts in the standard and custom color options that match the program's colors
• Multi-sport facilities using ground sleeves for seasonal goal post removal who need the FGP400GS or FGP600GS sleeves matched to their specific goal post O.D. for the semi-permanent installation that allows post removal without disturbing the field surface

Who This Is For

• High school football coaches and athletic directors equipping a football field with regulation goal posts, blocking sleds, and training dummies that match the conditions their athletes train and compete in — the program infrastructure investment that gives players the same tools at practice that they face in competition
• Offensive and defensive line coaches running structured sled sessions who want Rae Crowther's mechanically informative pan sled, angle blocking sled, and multi-man sled configurations that provide direct technique feedback — not just repetition volume without correction
• Athletic programs completing a football facility build who need goal posts, scoreboards, training equipment, and safety accessories from authorized institutional manufacturers with proven warranty coverage and institutional track records
• School facilities managers and athletic directors specifying scoreboard installations for new and upgraded football facilities who need Varsity Scoreboards' LED product line with the 5-year limited warranty and galvanneal steel cabinet durability that institutional outdoor installation requires
• Multi-sport programs managing shared field infrastructure who need the combination soccer/football goal post, ground sleeves, and ceiling-hung retractable systems that maximize field use across multiple sports without sacrificing compliance with any sport's governing body specifications

How to Choose the Right Football Equipment

Goal post specification by competition level and field type — High school programs need 23'4" crossbar spacing; collegiate programs need 18'6" spacing. Both are available in 4.5-inch O.D. (standard high school) and 5-9/16-inch O.D. (higher strength, also used for some high school and all collegiate installations). Installation type — permanent, sleeve-mount, or surface mount — follows from whether the field is dedicated to football only or shared with other sports that require goal post removal between seasons.

Sled type by position group and blocking scheme — The Classic Two Man Pan Sled for offensive line fundamental blow delivery work. The 7 Man Sled for high-volume team shoulder blocking repetitions. The X-Rae Angle Blocking Sled specifically for programs running wide zone and angle blocking schemes. The Tackle Breaker Sled for a broader range of collision, evasion, and tackling technique work across multiple position groups. Match the sled to the specific technical objectives the position group needs to develop.

Scoreboard size by venue dimensions and program scale — The Varsity 7430 at 8'x4' with 15-inch LED digits serves smaller venues where viewing distances are shorter and a compact scoreboard installation is appropriate for the facility scale. The Varsity 7532 at 32'x10' with 32-inch digits serves larger stadiums and facilities where the longer viewing distances require larger numerals to maintain readability from every seat. Measure the maximum viewing distance from the scoreboard position to the farthest seat in the venue to determine the minimum digit size the installation requires.

Goal post pads by player safety policy — Include goal post pads in any goal post purchase for programs where players could contact the base post during play or practice. The Gared GSPPAD4 for posts up to 6-inch O.D. is the compatible pad specification for Gared's football goal post lineup. Custom colors and graphics are available — plan the color and graphics order at the time of the goal post purchase to coordinate the complete installation.

Ground sleeves by multi-sport field management — Ground sleeves are the specification for fields that share space between football and other sports where goal posts must be removed between seasons. Gared's FGP400GS for 4.5-inch O.D. goal posts and FGP600GS for 5-9/16-inch O.D. goal posts install 4 feet into the soil for maximum stability during use and allow full post removal when the field converts to other activities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What football equipment does Pro Athletic Supply carry? A: Pro Athletic Supply carries football equipment from Rae Crowther, Gared Performance Sports Systems, and Varsity Scoreboards. Rae Crowther products include blocking sleds (Classic 2-man pan sled, Classic 7-man sled, X-Rae angle blocking sled, Tackle Breaker Sled), pop-up dummies, training aids, and specialty football training equipment. Gared Performance Sports Systems covers football goal posts in high school and collegiate specifications (4.5" and 5-9/16" O.D., permanent/sleeve/surface mount), combination soccer/football goal posts, ceiling-hung retractable goal posts, ground sleeves, and football goal post pads. Varsity Scoreboards carries football-specific scoreboards including the 7430 and 7532 models with LED digits, wireless remote, and outdoor horn.

Q: What is the regulation crossbar width for high school and collegiate football goal posts? A: High school football goal posts use a crossbar width of 23 feet 4 inches (per NFHS specifications). Collegiate football goal posts use a crossbar width of 18 feet 6 inches (per NCAA specifications). The Gared FGP401 and FGP601 series are built to high school 23'4" crossbar spacing; the FGP602 series is built to collegiate 18'6" crossbar spacing. Installing the wrong crossbar width for the level of play creates a training condition mismatch — kickers develop aim and trajectory habits against a target width that doesn't match the competition standard they'll face on game day.

Q: What is the difference between Gared's permanent, sleeve-mount, and surface-mount goal post options? A: Permanent installation goal posts anchor the post frame directly into concrete footings — the most structurally rigid installation for dedicated football-only fields. Sleeve-mount installation uses separately purchased ground sleeves (FGP400GS or FGP600GS) inserted 4 feet into the soil — the posts insert into the sleeves for use and remove for off-season storage or when the field converts to another sport. Surface-mount installation uses plate hardware mounted to the field surface — the correct option for synthetic turf, concrete-base surfaces, or any installation where underground sleeve installation isn't practical. Choose the installation format based on the field surface type and whether the goal posts need to be removed between seasons.

Q: Why do coaches use Rae Crowther blocking sleds instead of live-blocking repetitions for lineman development? A: Blocking sleds provide three things that live-blocking repetitions can't consistently deliver: immediate mechanical feedback through the sled's structural response to correct and incorrect technique, high-repetition volume without fatigue management concerns for the player being blocked, and controlled, repeatable conditions that isolate the specific mechanical element being coached. Rae Crowther's pan sled design spins away if hit incorrectly — giving the player direct real-time feedback on blow delivery technique without requiring a coach to intervene on every rep. Live blocking reps are essential for competition preparation, but sled work is how coaches efficiently teach, reinforce, and correct the foundational mechanics that live reps build on.

Q: What Varsity Scoreboards football models are available and how do they differ? A: Varsity Scoreboards offers football scoreboards across a range of sizes. The 7430 at 8'x4' features 15-inch LED digits and an outdoor horn — the compact model for smaller athletic programs and smaller venues. The 7532 at 32'x10' features 32-inch, 26-inch, and 20-inch LED digits, Home/Guest Score, To Go, Ball On, and clock countdown displays with optional wireless remote control — the large-format model for programs with larger stadiums and longer viewer distances. All Varsity Scoreboards football models use 100,000-hour rated LED numerals, 22-gauge galvanneal steel cabinets with powder-coat finish, and carry a 5-year limited warranty.

Q: Do Gared football goal posts come with goal post pads included? A: Goal post pads are sold separately from Gared's football goal posts. The Gared GSPPAD4 Football Goalpost Pad is designed for posts up to 6-inch O.D. — compatible with Gared's full football goal post lineup. The pad is constructed of 4-inch thick high-density urethane foam covered with 18 oz UV-resistant coated vinyl, available in standard colors including black, navy, royal blue, red, white, kelly green, forest green, and others. Custom colors and custom graphics are available by contacting the sales team for pricing. Planning the goal post pad order at the time of the goal post purchase is recommended to coordinate the complete installation and avoid separate procurement and delivery logistics.

Football at every level — from the first-time youth program installing their first regulation goal posts through the high school program building a new athletic complex through the collegiate facility specifying competition-grade infrastructure — requires the right equipment at the right specification for the players, the field, and the governing body's requirements. Pro Athletic Supply carries football equipment from Rae Crowther, Gared Performance Sports Systems, and Varsity Scoreboards — blocking sleds and training aids that develop fundamental mechanics, goal posts at every regulation specification, football scoreboards for every venue size, and the safety accessories that complete the field installation. Browse the complete Football Equipment collection and equip every aspect of your program's field, practice, and game-day infrastructure.

Explore our Schools & Facilities page if you're equipping a high school athletic program, college facility, or multi-sport athletic complex with football goal posts, scoreboards, blocking sleds, and training equipment — our team builds custom equipment specifications and institutional quotes for athletic directors, coaches, and facility managers.

Also explore this related collection: Football Machines — Football machines for — high school, collegiate, and pro athletes.