There are a lot of different sizes and dimensions that go into making up a soccer field. Whether you are playing on the field at your local park or in the middle of an international soccer tournament, it is important to know the specific measurements of a soccer field so that you can play by the rules and be safe.
The Size of the Field
Generally, a soccer field is made up of several lines that form a rectangle shape with a minimum and maximum width. These lines are called goal lines and touch lines, and any ball that fully crosses them is out of bounds.
A standard goal line is 70 to 80 yards long (210 to 240 feet). The length of the field also depends on the stadium where the game is being played.
Another standardized feature is the penalty box. This is a rectangular area that measures 16.5 m long and 40 m wide, and it is centered on the pitch.
The penalty box is the most important part of the soccer field since it is where games are won or lost, and where dreams can be crushed with a single misstep, handball, dive or bad call.
Inside the penalty box are two other standardized features: the penalty mark, which is 12 yards from the center of the goal and the penalty arc, which represents a 10-yard circle carved around the penalty spot.
Each of these markings has a specific purpose and should be followed to ensure fair play throughout the game.
Technical Areas
There are only certain stadiums and fields that require a technical area, and these areas are usually in the dugouts of teams and only for team officials and substitutes. These technical areas are rectangles that extend up to one yard either side of the designated seating area and up to one yard from the touchline.
These areas are not required at every soccer field, but they are helpful to make the game more organized and efficient.
Corner Kick Circles and Goal Arcs
The corner kick circles are a very important part of the soccer field. This is where the ball is placed before a corner kick. The corner kick circles are a quarter circle with a one yard radius, and these circles are marked on each of the four corners of the soccer field.
A soccer field is also governed by the IFAB, which has specific measurements that must be met. This is the same for flag posts at each corner of the field, which must be at least 5 feet tall and be placed at each corner.
In addition, the goal posts must be at least 8 yards high and 8 yards across. There are different shapes that can be used for the goalposts, but professional players use a square or an elliptical shape.
There are a few more standardized markings on the field, such as the halfway line and penalty box markings. These markings are used to ensure that the field is properly divided and that no one player from either team can enter the penalty area during a penalty kick.