Patent ID: 7468009

Claim:
A shield for soccer practice comprising: a back panel having a first and a second side opposite to each other, the back panel being of a strong rigid material capable of withstanding the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the back panel being capable of being positioned in a vertical position with the first and second sides thereby being extended vertically; a first and second side panel of a similar rigid material, the first side panel being hingedly connected to the first side of the back panel and the second side panel being hingedly connected to the second side of the back panel; a first and second posts extending vertically upward from a back of the back panel, the first post being removably affixed to the back of the back panel and adjacent to the first side of the back panel and the second post being removably affixed to the back of the back panel and adjacent to the second side of the back panel, the first and second posts extending above the back panel; a third post extending vertically upward from and removably affixed to the first side panel, the third post spaced from and parallel to a side of the first side panel which is hingedly connected to the back panel, the third post extending above the first side panel; a fourth post extending vertically upward from and removably affixed to the second side panel, the fourth post spaced from and parallel to a side of the second side panel which is hingedly connected to the back panel, the fourth post extending above the second side panel; a netting of strong cord having a sufficient length to reach from the third post, behind the first and second posts and to the fourth post, a height of the netting being sufficient to reach from an upper edge of the first side panel to a top of the posts, the netting being at least temporarily affixed to the third post and to the fourth post; and a first and second support capable of maintaining the shield in upright position against the impact of a kicked soccer ball, the first support removably affixed to the first side panel and extending on an angle downward in a direction towards a back area of the shield, the second support removably affixed to the second side panel and extending on the angle downward in the direction towards the back area of the shield, said shield further comprising a first loop affixed to the first side panel such that the first loop can be placed around the first post when the first post is installed, thereby holding the first side panel in an open position; and further comprising a second loop affixed to the second side panel such that the second loop can be placed around the second post when the second post is installed, thereby holding the second side panel in an open position.