Question Number: 22540

Law 1- The Field 11/18/2009

RE: Under 18

juan of simi Valley Ca , ca usa asks...

is there a specific size the field should be or it may vary

Answer provided by Referee Keith Contarino

Hi Juan. There are limits on official sized fields. At youth play, the field sizes will vary tremendously but the field MUST be longer than wide. Here's what Law 1 says:

The fi eld of play must be rectangular and marked with lines. These lines belong
to the areas of which they are boundaries.
The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are
called goal lines.
The fi eld of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the
midpoints of the two touch lines.
The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a
radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it.

Dimensions
The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length (touch line): minimum 90 m (100 yds)
maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width (goal line): minimum 45 m (50 yds)
maximum 90 m (100 yds)
All lines must be of the same width, which must be not more than
12 cm (5 ins).
International Matches
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds)
maximum 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds)
maximum 75 m (80 yds)

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Juan
As Referee Contarino has stated it is covered under Law 1 of the seventeen Laws of the Game, which he has kindly quoted. A copy of the Laws can be downloaded from

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

There are provisions for smaller fields as youth play has less players smaller balls, smaller goals and downsized fields but the premise is usually for the field to be longer than wider and safe to play on secure those portable goals! The interior sections of the field remain the same in adult or regulation 11 aside soccer no matter the field size but areas such as the PA are tailored to fit the smaller mini youth fields as required!
Cheers