:?
the objective of the game is to get the ball between the 3 white sticks, not hit them.
The "target" being to score a goal in the net, not hit the 3 white sticks.
Quite simply therefore, hitting the white stciks is Off Target, unless you are specifically playing a different game, as on Soccer AM, such as the crossbar challenge.
It's a complete no brainer, IMHO.
The only grey are comes when you hit a white stick and in, but again this is clear, as the ball has eventually hit the target (the net) unimpeded.
Of course, I agree with everything you said. I'm not arguing any of that, but you clearly didn't consider the point I was making.