Goalposts are vertical structures used in various sports, most notably in soccer and American football. They consist of two upright posts and a crossbar, forming a rectangular frame through which players aim to score points by getting the ball into the area between them. In soccer, the goalposts are 8 feet high and 8 yards wide, while in American football, they are 10 feet high and 18.5 feet wide. The design and placement of goalposts are crucial for gameplay, as they define the scoring area and influence strategies employed by teams during matches.