Question Number: 18094

Law 1- The Field 12/9/2007

RE: Adult

Tom of Kingsport, TN USA asks...

I understand that the purpose of the Arc is to keep the opposing players from getting too close to the kicker doing a direct kick. No players can get in the arc during a direct kick. Am I right?

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

The arcs on the field are the 4 corner arcs and the 2 penalty arcs. From your description, it appears you are talking about the penalty arcs. Yes, they are there to keep players 10 yards from the ball when a penalty kick is being taken. That is the penalty arc's only purpose. It is NOT a part of the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Chuck Fleischer

The penalty arc is only there to show a distance of 9,15 M [10 yds] from the penalty mark. Nothing else. It became part of the field markings in 1937. It is the only part of the field markings that didn't emanate in Britain.

Regards,

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

No. No players may enter the arc at the taking of a PENLTY kick not just any direct kick . There could be a direct kick coming out of the penalty area and there could be a direct kick inside the penalty arc going either way and some players may or may not be allowed inside the penalty arc depending on who takes the kick and which direction it's going.

Answer provided by Referee Ben Mueller

No players in arc during a penalty kick.