Question Number: 19660

Law 1- The Field 7/29/2008

RE: Rec Under 11

Jeff of Tarpon Springs, Fl USA asks...

My son and I were watching a game on TV the other night and my son asked what the purpose of the 6 yard box was given that we could not think of any different rules or laws that applied inside the 6 vs. inside the 18.
The only thought I had was ball placement on a goal kick, but an entire box is not needed for that.

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

The goal area also demarcates where any indirect free kick may be taken by the defending team. It also, as you say, is for placement of goal kicks. For indirect free kicks for the attackers, the outermost boundary of the goal area, the six yard line, is as close as they are allowed to take the kick. Also, whenever a circumstance leads to a dropped ball to be taken within the goal area, the ball is brought out to the six yard line. Many years ago the goalkeeper had additional privileges inside his own goal area.

Answer provided by Referee Michelle Maloney

No boxes on the field, my friend! That would require a door to enter, and would interfere with the shots on goal, I think!

Technically the area you are referring to is called the goal area which is the smaller one contained in the penalty area. It has many uses, some of which as Ref Contarino notes, are now obsolete.

A goal kick must be taken from somewhere inside of the goal area, which includes the line marking the space. Law 16

Any indirect free kick awarded to the attacking team because of an offense which occurs in the goal area will be spotted on the top of the goal area line closest to where the incident took place. A free kick awarded to the defense for an offense inside the goal area may be taken from anywhere inside the goal area. Law 13

A dropped ball for the restart after a temporary stoppage, such as an injury, will be taken on the top of the goal area line closest to where the ball was when the whistle was blown (this assumes the ball was in the goal area when the whistle was blown - otherwise, it is where the ball was located on the field). Law 8

Answer provided by Referee Steve Montanino

The goal area defines where:

- A goal kick may be taken from.

- A defensive free kick may be taken from. (Any foul by the attackers in the goal area results in a free kick that may be taken from any point within the goal area just like a goal kick.)

- A dropped ball may not be dropped. Instead it must be dropped at the top of the goal area at the point closest to the location where the ball was when play was stopped.

- An attacking indirect free kick may not be taken. (If the attackers are given an indirect free kick inside the goal area it must be placed at the top of the goal area at the spot closest to the offense.)

So there are uses, its just that you would almost never know what they are unless you read about it.