The soccer field, or pitch, is a rectangle bounded by two long sides, known as the touch lines, and two shorter sides, known as the goal lines. Halfway between the two goal lines is the halfway line, which also marks the centers of the two touch lines. The goal lines mark the out-of-bounds lines at each end of the field, and are so named because the front of each goal is situated in the center of the goal line.
Dimensions
The width of the goal line must be between 50 and 100 yards, according to FIFA rules. International matches must be played on fields with goal lines that are between 70 and 80 yards wide. The goal lines themselves must be drawn on the field to a width of no more than 5 inches. Goal lines are supposed to be white.
Goal Area
In front of each goal is a box drawn on the field and it's called the goal area. The goal area is formed by extending two lines at right angles to the goal posts for six yards, and then extending the lines into the playing area for six yards. Those lines are connected by a line running parallel to the goal line. A similar box, with lines that extend 18 yards from the goal post and 18 yards into the field of play is called the penalty area.
Corners
At the far corners of each goal line, a flagpost at least 5 feet high must be planted, with a flag attached. The flagposts cannot have pointed tops. A quarter circle or arc must be drawn inside the field of play at each corner where goal line meets a touch line. The radius of the quarter circle to the flag post must be 1 yard. In a corner kick, the ball is placed inside this quarter circle.
Goal kicks
If the ball is last hit by the attacking team and the ball goes out of bounds, the defending team gets the ball for what's called a goal kick. The ball can be placed anywhere in the goal area and the opposing team must stay outside the penalty area until the ball is kicked. The goalkeeper usually takes the goal kick, but anyone on his team may do so. However, the player who makes the goal kick cannot touch the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
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