Laws Of The Game

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The Field of Play The field of play must be a rectangle of specific size. The field must have clear lines marked on it: touchlines, goal lines, halfway line, centre circle, goal areas, goal area lines, goals, penalty areas, penalty spots, corner arcs and flagposts. Dimensions The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line. Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds), maximum 120 m (130 yds) Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds) International Matches Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds), maximum 110 m (120 yds) Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds), maximum 75 m (80 yds) Field Markings The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries. The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines. All lines are not more than 12 cm (5 ins) wide. The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line. The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it. The Goal Area A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area. The Penalty Area A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area a penalty mark is made 11 m (12 yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) from each penalty mark.is drawn outside the penalty area. Flagposts A flagpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag is placed at each corner. Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1m (1 yd) outside the touch line. The Corner Arc A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play. Goals Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8ft). Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins). The goal lines are the same width as that of the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper. The goalposts and crossbars must be white. Safety Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.

Find out more about FIFA's authorized Laws of the Game