Law 1 - The Field of Play
According to the Laws of the Game for Association Football (Soccer), Law 1 deals with the field of play.
Field Surface
FIFA and the IFAB specify that the field of play must be a natural, or where the competition rules allow a synthetic, surface.
Markings
The field is to be rectangular and marked with continuous lines, the lines belong to the area they mark. The longer boundary lines are touchlines and the shorter ones are the goal lines. The field is divided in two halves by the halfway line. The midpoint of the halfway line is where the centre mark is placed and it is surrounded by a circle with a radius of 10 yards (9.15 m) around it. All lines must be the same colour and width. The width of the lines should be no wider than 5 inches (12 cm). The goal lines must be the same width of the goalposts and crossbar. Other lines off the field of play can be made. The purpose of these lines is to mark 10 yards from the corner arc.
Dimensions
For normal competitions the field should have a length along the touchline (sideline) between 100 yards (90 m) and 130 yards (120 m). The width of the field along the goal line should be between 50 yards (45 m) and 100 yards (90 m).
For international mathes the dimensions should be between 110 yards (100 m) and 120 yards (110 m) along the touchline. The maximum width (measured along the goal line) is 80 yards (75 m) with a minimum width of 70 yards (64 m).
The Goal Area
For the goal area two lines perpendicular to the goal line 6 yards (5.5 m) from the inside of the goalposts for a length of 6 yards. These lines are joined by a line parallel to the goal line.
The Penalty Area
The penalty area is the area bounded by two lines that are perpendicular to the goal line 18 yards (16.5 m) from the inside of the goal post. These lines are 18 yards in length and are joined by a line parallel to the goal line.
A penalty spot is to be placed 12 yards (11 m) from the mid point between the goal posts. An arc 10 yards from the penalty spot is drawn outside the penalty area.
The Corner Area
The corner area is defined as a quarter circle drawn 1 yard (1 m) from each corner flagpost. A flagpost is required in each corner.
The Technical Area
The technical area only realtes to stadiums that have a designated seating area for team officials, substitutes and substituted players. The area extends 1 yard from the sides of the seating area and upto 1 yard from the touchline.
Goals
A goal must be placed on the centre of each goal line. A goal consists of 2 vertical posts, joined at the top by a crossbar. The posts are placed an equal distance from the corner flagposts. The goals should be 8 feet (2.44 m) from the lower edge to the ground and be 8 yards (7.32 m) apart from the inner posts.
Other aspects of Law 1 deal with goal line technology, commercial advertising, logos and video assistant referees. This post is a the scond in a series I am writing on the laws of the game. The first post originally written on October 4, 2016 on Law 2 - The Ball can be viewed read here.