Question Number: 15019

Law 1- The Field 3/21/2007

RE: Competetive High School

trolexdog of Buffalo, New York United States asks...

On the top of the big goal box what is the use of the little half circle?????

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

That penalty arc is ten yards from the penalty mark. It shows players how near they can be, to the ball, at the taking of a penalty kick. The big goal box is called the penalty area and the little goal box is the goal area.

The football pitch gained its present form in 1902, with the exception of the penalty arcs. They were added to the pitch markings in 1937.

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

The top of the penalty area is, at its closest point, only 6 yards away from the penalty mark. So, in order to insure that all players are at least 10 yards away at the taking of a penalty kick this arc was placed along the top center of the penalty area. Its purpose is to clearly show to all involved the appropriate distance (10 yards) during the taking of a penalty kick. This is a somewhat longer-winded version of the above answer. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

To ensure that the 10 yard requierment on a PK is given. It is called the penalty arc.