Soccer Field Lines and Markings

Even serious soccer fans might sometimes get confused and wonder what some of the lines and markings on the pitch actually stand for. Every level of soccer uses similar markings, although the size of the fields themselves may vary. These markings inform the players and referees whether the ball is in bounds or out of bounds, and which areas are legal for the goalie to use hands.

Lines and Markings

What are the different lines on a soccer field?

On a rectangular field, the long edges are referred to as touchlines, and any time that the ball is kicked, headed or rolls across these lines, a player on the team that did not touch the ball last will throw the ball in to put it back in play. The short edges of the rectangle are called the goal lines. Anytime the ball crosses a goal line, if it was touched last by a player on defense, an offensive player will take a corner kick from the area within a corner arc to inbound the ball. If the last touch was by an offensive player, the goalie inbounds the ball with a goal kick.

The large rectangle in front of each goal is the penalty box, with a forward edge that is 18 yards away from the goal line. Each penalty box contains within it a smaller rectangular box that extends 6 yards out from the goal line. The goalkeeper must place the ball somewhere within this goal area when performing a goal kick.

Rules and Plays

What is a quick explanation to the rules of soccer?

When the team without the ball commits a foul, and that foul is inside its own penalty box, the referee awards a penalty kick to the offense. Penalty kick marks are 12 yards from the goal line and in the middle of the field. When the official awards a penalty kick, or a “PK,” a player will shoot from here. The rest of the players must wait outside the penalty arc, a small arc at the forward edge of the penalty box that is there to aid referees in making sure that no players other than the kicker are closer than 10 yards to the ball.

Finally, the center circle of a soccer pitch is where the match begins. One team kicks off, and both teams have to remain on their respective sides of the midfield line. The center circle, which has a radius of 10 yards, marks off the area that the team without the ball is restricted from entering until any player touches the ball.

Soccer Goal Care and Maintenance Guide

Once you purchase and install soccer goals on your own pitch or in your backyard, do not make the mistake of forgetting to maintain and properly care for your soccer goal. Improper attention to existing soccer goals could lead to critical breaches of safety, and that’s a cardinal soccer sin whether you are dealing with youth players or adults.

Yearly Maintenance

What kind of yearly maintenance should I be doing on my soccer goal?

Check over the unit once a year for any loose hardware, tighten as necessary. Replace any missing or damaged hardware as needed. We recommend you check the net attachments to make sure all are in place. Missing or damaged clips can result in damage to the soccer net. Check the structure for damage to any metal parts and repair or replace if needed. Check the net for wear and tear. Nets are particularly susceptible to damage due to children climbing on them. If you have a portable soccer goal, check over the wheels to make sure they are in proper working condition. Do not store you portable soccer goal while in the transport position. Excess stress from standing permanently on transport wheels may cause premature stress to corner joints. Finally, check over the finish on you goal. Once a year touch up to any of the paint will keep your soccer goal looking new, year after year. Always make sure portable soccer goals are anchored properly to prevent risk of tip over.

Should I Get a Portable, Permanent or Semi-Permanent Soccer Goal?

Shopping for a new soccer goal? If you are, the dilemma over whether you should opt for a portable soccer goal or a permanent goal is one that requires some thought and consideration. Your decision ultimately will depend on your needs, your budget and playing space.

Portable Soccer Goals

Portable: If your primary needs for a soccer goal are to practice and train with, or to play on public fields where you are not allowed to install permanent soccer goals, portable soccer goals are not only preferable, but might actually be mandatory. Requiring simple anchors or weights that can enable temporary installation, portable goals can then be removed when the practice or game is over. Portable goals come in all sizes, designs and prices, whether you are looking for an entry-level, low-cost model to use for basic training for youth players; or a more high-end, full-size tournament-style goals measuring 8 feet by 24 feet.

Permanent Soccer Goals

Permanent: These units are installed in the ground and are permanently imbedded in a concrete footing. Permanent soccer goals boast better durability and stability while retaining important safety features that parents, coaches and players can rely upon. Permanent goals are made to withstand a lot of heavy, extensive use and are built with sturdy aluminum frames and in-ground footings. While permanent soccer goals might not be the practical choice for backyards due to the expense as well as the space they require, they are a strong choice for school fields, club teams, stadiums, professional or college teams and any fields that are dedicated to soccer only.

Semi-Permanent Soccer Goals

Semi-Permanent: These units are exactly the same as their in-ground counterparts, except they have the added feature of a removable sleeve. The sleeves are embedded in a concrete footing. This allows the goal face uprights to slide in and out, making the soccer goal removable from the ground. This feature is particularly useful for fields where other activities take place and also makes mowing and field maintenance easier.

What size soccer goal does my program need?

When running a soccer program, many times program directors are not sure what size soccer goal is appropriate for each various age group.  Below is a reference chart to provide some guidelines regarding what size soccer goal face opening is recommended for various age groups.

What size soccer goal does my program need?
 

Portable Soccer Goals

Permanent and Semi-Permanent Soccer Goals

FreeKick

Choosing the Right Soccer Goal for Your Age/Skill Level

Soccer is immensely popular among young budding athletes, and it seems that, for kids, if they’re not getting started in the sport at a very young age, they end up getting left behind and caught in the numbers game. So if your youngster is getting started on “the beautiful game” at an early age, you might be facing a dilemma of what the right kind of soccer goal is appropriate for their skill level.

Soccer can be played with a goal of any size, but in order to practice with a goal that corresponds with what they’ll be playing with in their Saturday morning league games, there are specific size soccer goals that are made for players of different ages. Leagues all over the land stick to these rules for player ages and goal sizes, so you should learn them when you shop for a new soccer goal for your player, club or league.

How do I know what soccer goal size is right for my child’s age and skill level?

Children

For players age 6 and 7, the goal should be 4 feet high and 6 feet wide. Kids this age play on a pitch that is 15 yards wide and 20 yards long. Players who are age 8 use goal that is 6 1/2 feet high and 12 feet wide and they play on a field 30 yards wide by 50 yards long. At age 9, the goal stays 6 1/2 feet high, but it expands to 18 1/2 feet wide, and the field is 35 yards wide by 50 yards long.

Teens and Adults

The dimensions change again for 10-year-old soccer players, and at this point they stay the same for three years. Soccer players age 10-13 may play with goals that are anywhere between 6 1/2 feet and 8 feet tall and anywhere from 18 feet to 24 feet wide. At age 13, the goal size and the fields are considered to be at an adult level and do not change again. From age 13 on up, the goal is 8 feet high and 24 feet wide. The pitch for adult soccer players can be anywhere between 50 yards by 100 yards and 80 yards by 120 yards.

Click here for our Soccer Goal size chart! 

How do I know what soccer net is right for my soccer goal?

You may know everything there is to know about the sport of soccer and still not be aware of some of the more important facts about soccer equipment. Many soccer coaches, parents and players probably never give a second thought to the net they are using on their goal, but it’s an integral facet of the game, and if you have a soccer net that’s become weathered, damaged, tangled up or torn, you should consider your options carefully before splurging for a new net.

Every soccer net may look the same to an outsider, but this is really not the case. Many soccer nets that look almost exactly the same are actually quite different, and they definitely do not come in a one-size-fits-all configuration. Some of these features should be kept in mind when shopping for a new soccer net:

Size:

There are standard net sizes made to fit standard goal frames. If you have a youth 6.5′ x 12′ soccer goal, you will need a 6.5′ x 12′ soccer net to accommodate it.

Depth:

Depth: There are advanced soccer goals which are deeper and have more room inside the goal. To fit these frames, any soccer net you get to replace them should also have depth in order to fit these frames. You should seek out nets with three or more dimensions (i.e., 8′ x 24′ x 6′ x 6′). The first two dimensions listed are the height and width of the net. The last two listed dimensions refer to the net’s top depth and bottom base depth.

Rope Size:

How thick should the roping be on your soccer net? Rope Size: Low-end soccer nets that don’t cost a lot usually feature a 2mm thick rope. If you are seeking a higher-end net that is more advanced, more durable and made to withstand more forceful shots from more elite players, these nets use a rope that ranges from 3mm to 3.5mm. If the goal will be used by a player age 12 or older, buy a net with a 3mm or thicker cord because you might find that 2mm cord breaks too easily.

Mesh Width:

The net mesh’s tightness is directly related to its durability. Most soccer net mesh is 120mm wide. There are also tighter knits of mesh that are at 3.5 inches or 5.5 inches, a hex mesh.

Goals nowadays come with secure net fastener systems, such as bars and clips that secure the net to the frame. You should be looking for either a goal with these features, or add them to the goals you already have with clips that you buy and install separately. You can also use Velcro strips to secure nets to frame poles temporarily. With normal use, expect to replace a regulation soccer goal net about every two years, possibly sooner. Periodically check your net for signs of wear.