Laws of the Game

Law 1 - The Field of Play

The Field of Play

Field surface Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition. Dimensions The fi eld 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 bet ween 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 1 m (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 fi eld of play. 8 9 7.32m (8yds) 2.44m (8ft)

LAW 1 – 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 (8 ft). 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. 10 11 LAW 1 – THE FIELD OF PLAY The Field of Play Corner Flagpost Metric Measurements Imperial Measurements PENALTY AREA GOAL LINE CORNER ARC TOUCH LINE CENTRE MARK CENTRE CIRCLE HALFWAY LINE PENALTY ARC FLAGPOST (optional) TOUCH LINE GOAL LINE GOAL AREA PENALTY MARK CORNER FLAGPOST (compulsory) OPTIONAL MARK 16.5m 1 metre radius Length: Maximum 120m Minimum 90m Width: Maximum 90 metres Minimum 45 metres 7.32m 9.15m 11m 5.5m 16.5m Radius: 9.15m 5.5m 9.15m 18 yards 1 yard radius Length: Maximum 130 yards Minimum 100 yards Width: Maximum 100 yards Minimum 50 yards 8 yards 10 yards 12 yards 6 yards 18 yards Radius: 10 yards 6 yards 10 yards Flag to be not less than 1.5m/5ft high with a non-pointed top Lines to be not more than 12cm/5ins wide Corner flagpost is compulsory Corner arc 12 13 LAW 1 – THE FIELD OF PLAY Decision 6 A mark may be made off the field of play, 9.15 metres (10 yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines, to ensure that this distance is observed when a corner kick is being taken. Decision 7 Where artificial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affi liated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artifi cial Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA. Decision 8 Where a technical area exists, it must meet the requirements approved by the International F.A. Board, which are contained in this publication. Decisions of the International F.A. Board Decision 1 If the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired or replaced in position. If a repair is not possible, the match is abandoned. The use of a rope to replace the crossbar is not permitted. If the crossbar can be repaired, the match is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped. * (see page 3) Decision 2 Goalposts and crossbars must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. Their shape may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical and they must not be dangerous to players. Decision 3 No kind of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play and fi eld equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) from the time the teams enter the fi eld of play until they have left it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until the end of the match. In particular, no advertising material of any kind may be displayed on goals, nets, flagposts or their flags. No extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items. Decision 4 There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or within one metre from the touch line and outside the field of play on the ground. Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal nets. Decision 5 The reproduction, whether real or virtual, of representative logos or emblems of FIFA, confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs or other bodies, is forbidden on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) during playing time, as described in Decision 3. 14 15

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