Rules of soccer / Rules of Football - Field surface
Matches may be played on natural or artificial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
The colour of artificial surfaces must be green.
.Where artificial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affiliated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Football Turf or the International Artificial Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - Field markings
The field of play must be rectangular and 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.
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoints of the two touch lines.
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.
Marks may be made off the field of play, 9.15 m (10 yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and the touch lines, to ensure that defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is being taken.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - Dimensions
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length (touch line): minimum 90 m (100 yds), maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width (goal line): minimum 45 m (50 yds), maximum 90 m (100 yds)
All lines must be of the same width, which must be not more than 12 cm (5 ins).
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - The goal area
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.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - The penalty area
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 fi eld 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 the centre of each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - Flagposts
A flagpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a flag must be 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.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - 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.
Rules of soccer / Rules of football - Goals
A goal must be placed on the centre of each goal line.
A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flagposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They must be square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and must not be dangerous to players.
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 must be of the same width as 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.
