FOOTBALL FIELD DIMENSIONS
Football which is also known as soccer is the most competitive and popular sport in the world. The game was played first in England 1863 where the England Football Association was first and is the first football governing the body. The world’s favourite sport contested by two teams featuring 22 players with 11 players on each side (10 players and a keeper). Played on a rectangular field with the aim of getting the ball in the opponent’s goal post; when this happen, it’s called goal. The team with the highest number of goal wins the match. If the number of goals is levelled the game is called a draw or extra minute could be added to determine the winner depending on the type of match played. The sport is one of the few sports where the use of the hand is considered a foul aside the goalkeeper.
Simply, the team with the highest number of goal wins the match. If the number of goals is levelled the game is called a draw or extra minute could be added to determine the winner depending on the type of match played. The sport is one of the few sports where the use of the hand is considered a foul aside the goalkeeper.
In other to get the best football experience, one of the best facilities is the Football field. The football pitch is composed of different parts and each part of the soccer field as its dimension and measurement. Each elite football league club has its football field, and the dimensions of each footballing organisation are regulated to ensure equity and fair play.
There are a lot of lines on the pitch and each line marks or represents the area they define. It is imperative to know the lines on the football field as it helps to know the game more allowing you to enjoy the game even more. In this article, we will be exploring the field dimensions and also the size and proportions of the different part of the football field.
Grounds’ keeping is the activity of maintaining an area of land; it involves growing turfs on the field, mowing grass, measuring the field and in general keeping the field in good condition. A ground keeper is employed in stadiums to keep the area in perfect condition and also to ensure that the soccer field dimensions meet the requirement and is in compliance with the rules.
PARTS OF THE FOOTBALL FIELD
THE PITCH BOUNDARY
Two lines bound the football field. The width is the goal line, and the length is called the touchline. Team that play long passes and wide attacking football tend to have a longer and wider pitch, teams that adopt the narrow playing style tends to have a smaller pitch length; both play style must not exceed the standard law of football specification.
THE TOUCH LINE:
Also known as the sideline is the longest line on the football field it is marked by a line with a minimum length of 90m and maximum of 120m according to the FIFA official law of the game, the touchline must be longer than the goal line and must not exceed the standard dimensions.
The touchline is crucial on the football field as it is the place where throws players take throwing. When a ball moves across the touchline is considered a throw and the rule is that when a player takes a throw-in, he must be outside the touchline if a player goes into the field before he throws the ball it is regarded as a foul throw, and the opponent wins the throw.
An Assistant referee, formerly called the linesman, is also seen to be running along the touchline with a flag in every football game. His responsibility is to check the irregularities in a match as well as to offer advice to the referee on decisions. Injured players can also be taken to the sideline for treatment if the injury is not severe and the player will be back on the field as soon as he’s recovered
THE GOAL LINE:
Perhaps the most vital of Soccer Field Dimensions. It is the line opposing the touchline it is also called the end-line. It bothers from one touch line to the other. The standard length of the goal line is a minimum of 50m and maximum of 100m. There are different things on the goal line, the goal post located on the goal line, and the length of the goalpost is usually 8yrds. On the edge of the goal line and the touchline is the flag post.
THE HALF WAY LINE
This line divides the field into two equal half with each team having their half, the half which a team defends is called their half. The length of the halfway line is the same as the goal line (50m-100m). On the half way, the line is the center circle and the center mark or center spot. At the beginning of every match, the game is started from the center spot. The point where the half way line joins the touchline can be a demarcated flag, but this feature is optional. If a player is in the opponents half during kick-off, the player is said to be in offside position.
THE CENTER CIRCLE
The center circle is a big circle drawn in the middle of the halfway line. It has a radius of 9.15m; the match begins from the center circle. During the kick-off of the game, only two players are allowed to stay inside the circle.
THE PENALTY AREA
The penalty area popularly called the Box I8. Its dimension is 16m from the goal line (length) and width of 40.2m. If a player commits a foul or wrong tackle inside the penalty area, a penalty is awarded to the opponent and a card may be assigned to the violator if the foul is ugly.
A keeper can only use his hands inside the penalty area. There are different parts in the penalty area this includes the arc on the edge of the penalty box with the radius of 9.15m, the goal area, and the goal post.
THE PENALTY ARC
The half circle on the brink of the penalty area is known as the penalty arc, and it is drawn 9.5m from the penalty spot. Players are not allowed to move past the penalty arc when a penalty is played except for the goalkeeper and the penalty kicker.
THE GOAL AREA
The goal area also called the 6yrds box is the smaller rectangle inside the penalty area. It has a width of 11.5m and a distance of 5m from the goal line. Goal kicks are taken from this part of the penalty area and also free kicks by the defending team can be taken from anywhere on the line, it can be taken on anywhere on the 11.5m line.
THE PENALTY SPOT
The penalty spot or penalty mark is a small circle marked with white chalk; it is the place where direct free kicks (penalties) are taken. It is drawn 11m from the center of the goal and 9.5m from the penalty arc. A player takes a penalty, and only the keeper is allowed to stay at the post to try and defend the penalty all other players stay outside the 16m box, and they only move after the ball is played
THE GOAL POST
The goal post is two upright poles erected at equidistance from the flag post at each end of the goal line. A crossbar connects this two post together, and together they make the goal post the distance between the two poles must be 7.3m, and the distance of the crossbar from the ground is 2.44m, and the length of the cross bar is also 7.32m. Usually, a net covers the back of the goal post, but this is not compulsory by the law.
The line between the two goalposts and this line is called the goal line, and the other area of the goal line is called the end line.
When a ball goes past the goal line, a goal is declared. If a member of a team plays the ball into his net, it is known as an own goal. In the past, a third referee can be seen staying at the goal line trying to monitor the goal line to judge the validity goals scored, or maybe they didn’t get past the goal line; some football league practice this method.
A few years ago goal line technology was introduced to the game to detect the ball if it goes across the line and this as nullified the need of a goal line referee.
THE FLAG POST
These posts are erected at a right angle between the touchline, and the goal line, the head of flagpoles is often covered with a flag usually with a pattern of red and yellow. The height of flag post must not be less than 5m with no pointed tip.
A quarter circle of radius 1m constructed from the flag post into the field. Corner kicks are delivered from the flag post, and a corner taker must always place the ball inside the quarter circle before taking a corner. The linesman also ensures that the ball is positioned inside this circle when a player plays the corner.
THE TECHNICAL BOX
This box is the place where coaching staff shouts out instruction to the players. The rule is that only one staff of the coaching team can stay in this box at a time.