| Back in the day when soccer was in its | | | | Let's take a look at some of the other soccer |
| infancy, soccer field layout was rather | | | | field dimensions that aren't usually that |
| irregular in its dimensions and this created | | | | important, but can still regulate the game a |
| several problems for the players. One player | | | | bit further. The corner circle is set around |
| from, say, York would play on a field that | | | | the corner flag and is 1 yard in diameter. |
| was 60 yards long, while the guys in | | | | Basically, when a player takes a corner, he |
| Liverpool would play on one that was 140 | | | | can place the ball anywhere inside this |
| yards. Obviously, when either team played on | | | | circle so he can more comfortably hit the |
| the competitor's field, they were at a loss. | | | | ball and give it a swirl. Otherwise, it's |
| That is why, over time, soccer field | | | | very difficult to keep the ball inside the |
| dimensions were regulated, first by the | | | | soccer field dimensions if you're striking |
| Football Association, the first soccer | | | | the corner from right, but with your left |
| organization in history, created by the | | | | leg, or vice versa. The penalty box circle is |
| English in the late 19th century, then by | | | | one of the soccer field dimensions that are |
| FIFA. Today's dimensions of soccer fields | | | | used mostly for orientation by the referee. |
| still offer some room for variation, because | | | | It's situated around the penalty spot, 10 |
| not all pitches can be made on a same exact | | | | yards around it and it's sole purpose is to |
| perimeter. So, the width of the field can | | | | allow the referee to figure out the correct |
| range from 50 to 100 yards officially, but | | | | wall distance in case of a free kick that's |
| it's rarely the case with modern soccer | | | | near the box. For example, if the attacking |
| fields that they hit these extremes. The | | | | team gets a free kick outside the edge of the |
| length can range from 100 yards to 130, but | | | | penalty area, the referee will automatically |
| you can't have a pitch that would be 100 | | | | know that the defending team's wall should be |
| yards wide and 100 yards long, obviously. | | | | placed at the penalty spot, which is 10 yards |
| The field is split in half by a center line, | | | | away, the correct distance the wall should |
| which has a symmetrical distance towards each | | | | stay in. These soccer field dimensions are |
| of the widths and there is a center circle at | | | | standardized for all of the modern pitches, |
| the middle of this line, which is always 10 | | | | but the game will play differently on various |
| yards in diameter. This circle ensures that | | | | sized fields. For example, on a very wide |
| opposing players are kept at a safe distance | | | | pitch, wing game play is bound to be more |
| when the team in possession kicks off. The | | | | efficient, because your wingers will have a |
| goal must be 24 feet wide and 8 feet high and | | | | lot more room to maneuver in. Short fields |
| it must be placed exactly on the middle of | | | | benefit players with great speed and |
| the pitch's width. The goal is surrounded by | | | | technique that can solve a one-on-one duel in |
| two boxes. The first one, called the | | | | close quarters. Long fields benefit speedy |
| protection box or the goalkeeper box is 6 | | | | players, that love to hit the ball forward |
| yards wide and long and in this area, the | | | | and make a run for it and they're a nightmare |
| keeper is said to be protected: any contact | | | | for defenders that lack the speed to cope |
| with the goalkeeper in this area will produce | | | | with them. Longer fields also require more |
| a foul for the defending team. The bigger | | | | coordination between lines, otherwise a team |
| box, also called the penalty box or penalty | | | | might allow the opponent far more spaces than |
| area is 18 yards wide and 44 long and in this | | | | they would like to. |
| area, every foul from the defending team will | | | | |
| produce a penalty kick, which is taken from | | | | Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of a |
| 12 yards from the goal, with just the | | | | Soccer Fans website that provides information |
| attacker and the goalkeeper facing off. This | | | | on various topics related to soccer. For the |
| is usually a sure goal, so you might not want | | | | complete guide to soccer rules click here. |
| to be so aggressive around the penalty box. | | | | |