Patent ID: 8777784

Claim:
A method for releasably restraining a soccer goal having a rear rail on a surface of a field, the method comprising: positioning a restraining device detached from the soccer goal in a stored position below the field within an enclosure sized for storing the restraining device in the stored position when the restraining device is not in use; covering at least a portion of an opening in the enclosure and the restraining device disposed in a stored position within the enclosure when the restraining device is not in use; uncovering the opening in the enclosure; positioning a center of the rear rail of the soccer goal adjacent to the enclosure; engaging a portion of the restraining device with the center of the rear rail between sides of the of the soccer goal so that the restraining device when in use is disposed in a position different from the stored position with a first portion of the restraining device disposed above the surface of the field and with a second portion of the restraining device disposed in the enclosure below the surface of the field; covering at least a portion of the opening in the enclosure so that when the restraining device is in use the first portion of the restraining device is uncovered, and the second portion of the restraining device is covered and disposed in the enclosure below the surface of the field; and wherein the restraining device comprises a rigid configuration and is rotatable about an axis in and pivotally attached to the enclosure.