A football pitch is made of natural or artificial turf, as artificial turf is green in colour. Its markings and dimensions are underlined by Law 1 of the Laws of the Game. 

If the game is played by recreational or amateur teams, then it is played on a dirt field. Markings on the field are part of the playing area. 

British Football Associations had characterised the dimensions of the field through imperial units (British weights and measures). From 1999, Laws of the Game prefer metric units with imperial units given in brackets. 

The actual values haven’t been altered (round numbers in imperial units) since the 20th century, like for example – the width of the goal is 8 yards (7.32 meters) since 1863.

Boundary of the Football Pitch 

The shape of the pitch is rectangular with shorter sides being called goal lines while longer sides are called touch lines. Goal lines need to be in between 50 and 100 yards while touchlines need to be in between 100 and 130 yards. 

Lines on the pitch should not exceed 12 centimeters while corner flags are marked on the corners of the pitch. The goal lines are between 70 and 80 yards while touchlines are between 110 and 120 yards for International games. 

In leagues like the English Premier League touchlines are between 112 to 115 yards while goal lines are between 70 to 75 yards wide. The size of a football pitch for juniors is half the size of an adult match.

Goal Posts

Goal posts refer to two uprights posts that are joined by a horizontal crossbar and they are placed equal distance from corner flag posts. The inner edges of the posts should be regulated to 8 yards wide while the lower edges should be regulated to 8 feet above the pitch while the nets are placed and attached behind the goal. 

Crossbars and goalposts are made up of wood or metal material. Rules for the shapes of crossbars and goalposts are not strict. 

Injuries through goalposts collisions are common but a player’s safety isn’t emphasized in this aspect. Currently, there have been changes in terms of the colour coating for goalposts for the safety of the players. 

Some materials are made up of polymers. It is a mixture of 63% Methyl methacrylate, 32% weight of polyethene glycol and 5% weight of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. To ensure the safety of the players, the colours deform quickly. 

A goal is said to be scored if the ball hits the nets or if it crosses the line even though it has touched any player (including the opposition player which is an own goal). A goal will not be given if a player of the goal-scoring team commits a serious offence before the ball passes the goal line which will be called a foul or a penalty might be awarded.

Also Read | List of FIFA Tournaments

Goal and Penalty Areas

Two rectangular boxes are marked in front of the two goal posts. The goal line is adjacent to the goal area that is at 6 yards from goal posts and extends 6 yards into the field from the goal line and lines joining these are 6 yards by 20 yards. Free kicks and goal kicks are taken from these areas. 

As per the laws of FIFA, free kicks are taken from where the offence occurred. Indirect free kicks are taken from the closest point on the goal line area that is parallel to the goal line in case of free kicks to the attacking team while free kicks to the defending teams can be taken from anywhere from their area. 

The penalty area extends from the goal line starting 18 yards from goalposts and extends 18 yards into the pitch as it is a 44 yards by 18 yards area. Any foul in this area may result in a penalty kick. 

The goalkeeper is positioned inside this box. Penalty kicks are taken from 12 yards from the centre of the goal which denoted the penalty mark. The penalty arc is 10 yards from the penalty mark and when a player takes a penalty kick the players from his/her team need to stay outside of that zone.

Turf

Football is played on grass as well as artificial turfs. Artificial turfs are used in areas where maintenance of grass is tough due to harsh weather conditions as grass may deteriorate quickly in those areas. In countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden, artificial turfs are used and these turfs should also be as per FIFA’s requirements.

Read Next | What do the Lines and Boxes on a Tennis Court Mean?