Soccer is an extremely popular sport, where two teams of 11 players compete for the most goals. Each team runs the length of the field and shoots at the opposing team's goal. The goal, then, is the most important structure of the game. It is vital to know the size of the goal in order to become a more skilled and accurate shooter.
Field
A standard soccer field is rectangular and marked with boundary lines. The touch lines are 110 to 120 yards long and the goal lines are 70 to 80 yards wide. Running down the center of the field, from touch line to touch line, is the halfway line. And dead center in the middle of the field is the center mark, surrounded by the center circle. These are the most common field markings.
Goal Area
The goal area is a rectangular area in front of the goal. The goal line forms one boundary. There are two boundary lines, 6 yards long and 6 yards from each goalpost, that run perpendicular to the goal line and form right angles. The last boundary line runs parallel to the goal line and meets the other two lines to form right angles.
Structure
A soccer goal is located in the center of the goal line. The most common shape for a goal is rectangular, although it can also be square, round or oval. A goal is made up of two vertical posts that touch the ground and are connected by a horizontal crossbar. The area between the posts is 8 yards wide and the area from the ground to the crossbar is 8 feet long. The goalposts, crossbar and goal lines can be no wider than 5 inches. The goal must be safely secured to the ground.
Net
A net is attached to the goal and the ground behind it to stop the ball from sailing off the field after a goal has been scored. The net is usually in a criss-cross pattern, forming tiny squares throughout. The net must give to some extent. If it is too tight, the ball will spring back after a successful goal and possibly endanger a player on the field. In addition, if the referee is out of place he may not see a ball that enters the goal and bounces out immediately.
Dimensions
The dimensions of the soccer goal change according to the age level and the size of the field. Professional international soccer uses the above dimensions for goals, as does the NCAA. The official dimensions for United States indoor soccer is 6 1/2 by 12 feet. Youth goals depend heavily on the equipment available to the particular program.
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