Question Number: 25057

Law 1- The Field 6/4/2011

RE: 8 Under 11

Bill of Waynesboro, PA US asks...

If a foul is committed in the half circle at the top of the penalty area, is it a penalty kick or just a free kick. Is the half circle part of the penalty area since they join.

Answer provided by Referee Jason Wright

The arc is not part of the penalty area. It is only there to ensure players stay at least 10 yards away from the penalty spot at a penalty kick.

As such, if a foul occurs in the arc, then it is simply a free kick outside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Dennis Wickham

The arc has significance only during penalty kicks (it indicates ten yards from where the ball will be placed on the penalty mark). It is outside the penalty area.

Answer provided by Referee Joe McHugh

Hi Bill
The arc is not part of the penalty area. Its use is to ensure that players other than the penalty taker remain 10 yards from a penalty kick before the ball is kicked and moves.
The penalty arc of a radius of 10 yards from the penalty spot was introduced in 1937 obviously to deal with opponents crowding the penalty taker, although there is no restriction in the penalty taker taking his run up from beyond the 10 yard arc.