Soccer Field Dimensions

In the early days of the soccer history not a lot of importance was given to the layout of the soccer field. That’s why no standard was followed in the soccer field dimensions. Very one made a field of his own liking which as a result creates problems when two teams who have totally diverse grounds back at home played outside. Finally a step was taken by FIFA, which provided with standard figures around which the dimensions of the soccer field should revolve.

The soccer field dimension revolves around seven basic points. These consist of the length and width of the field, the centerline, the center circle, the penalty area, the penalty mark, the goal area and the corner kick circle.

The soccer field should be rectangular in shape. There are two different standard figures given for the league and international matches. For the league matches the length and breadth is as follow: minimum length: 100 yards, minimum width: 50 yards, maximum length: 130 yards, maximum width: 100 yards. Whereas, for the international matches the standard figure for length and width is as follow: International match minimum length: 110 yards, International match minimum width: 70 yard, International match maximum length: 120 yards, International match maximum width: 80 yards. The width of the field in all the cases must not be more than the length.

The field is divided in to two halves each belonging to one team, by a line which is known as the centre line. The line should be in the exact centre of the field dividing the field into two lengthwise proportioned halves. In the middle of the centre line there is a centre circle. The circle is ten yards in diameter. This is the place from where the game kicks off. The defenders of the opposite team remain outside this circle in order to make sure that they are at safe distance from the ball.

On both side of the field of play two lines are sketched, both on the right angles of the goal lines. These lines are eighteen yards wide from each goal post. They are connected by a line precisely parallel to the goal line, also eighteen yards away. The space together with these lines is entitled as the penalty area. Twelve yards from the mid point of the goal line a mark is made. This is the place from where the penalty kick is taken. Every foul committed by the defenders inside the penalty can provide a penalty kick to the opponents.

The goal post must be twenty four feet apart and eight feet away from the ground. It must be placed exactly in the centre of the width of the field. The goal is enclosed by two boxes. One is called the protection box which is six yards wide and long, any contact with the keeper inside this area is considered as a foul from the attackers. The larger box is known as the penalty box or the penalty area. It is eighteen yards and forty four yards in length. Any foul of the defending team in this area can be fatal for them.

There is a quarter of a circle on each corner of the field of around one yard. This is the place from where the attacker takes the corner kick. This circle is set around the corner flag. This circle makes it possible for the player to take the corner kick comfortably,

The indoor and the youth soccer field dimensions are different than those of the standard ones. Similarly it is also different from the high school field dimensions. The reason is that both of them play in smaller fields with lesser number of the players. The youth and the high school soccer teams usually have seven while the indoor soccer team has six players including the goal keeper in each side. Same is the case with the dimensions of the world cup soccer field, which vary from venue to venue, however following the minimum and maximum requirements every time.