2torial #0413:
Learn2 Understand Soccer (continued)

Know the field

There are scores of professional soccer leagues around the globe, playing indoors as well as out, and the field of play differs accordingly. International outdoor matches are played on a rectangular field (also called a pitch) that can vary slightly but is usually about 120 yards (110 meters) long and 80 yards (75 meters) wide. The indoor game is played on a space about half as big, roughly the size of an ice hockey rink.

Lines on the field mark the boundaries as well as goal and penalty areas. Touchlines (or sidelines) border the field lengthwise and goal lines (or end lines) mark either end. The inside edge of the field near the touchlines is known as the flank or wing.

On an outdoor field, a goal (with a net) measuring 8 yards wide and 8 feet high (7 by 2 meters) is centered on each end line. Two marked-off rectangles, one inside the other, are also centered on the end line. The larger box (44 by 18 yards, or 40.3 by 16.5 meters) is called the penalty area; inside this limited space, the goalkeeper is allowed to use his hands to control the ball. Within the penalty area, 12 yards (11 meters) from the center of the goal, a short line called the penalty mark is drawn on the field. The smaller box (20 by 6 yards, or 18.3 meters by 5.5 meters) centered inside the penalty area is called the goal area. A short flagpost stands at each corner of the field.

When the entire ball crosses a touchline, it's out of bounds and play is halted. If it crosses the end line and doesn't land inside the goal, play also stops temporarily. The method for restarting play varies, depending on where the ball left the field and which team sent it outside the boundaries. (See Step 4 for more details.)

Midway between both goals, a line divides the field into two equal sections. The midpoint of this line, the center mark, is surrounded by a circle 20 yards (18.3 meters) in diameter. Called the center circle, this is where the game begins.