When you walk across a football field, you may notice it feels huge. But, do you know exactly how big it is? As a sports facility contractor, worker, player or line marker, you must be aware of its size and markings.
So if you want to build a football field according to the right standards, read this article. Today, you will find well-researched information about the size of a football field, its lines, and different parts.
Dimensions of a Football Field
The football field is a very large ground that is used to play football. You will find it shaped like a big rectangle. The standard area of a football ground is generally 7140 square meters. However, the ground area can be smaller or bigger.
For example: it can range between 4050 and 10800 square meters. The main reason behind this flexibility in dimensions is that FIFA rules allow different sizes.
Dimensions of Football Field in Meters
You can measure the football field in many ways. One of the most common methods which is used all around the world is meters.
Football Field Length
You can check the length of a football field from one end line to the other. You will see it as the longest line of the ground. It can be 90 to 120 meters long. You have to follow FIFA rules for minimum and maximum length.
For international games, the length is usually around 100-110 meters in length. But, most professional grounds are 105 meters long. That means, fields can be a bit different in size.
Football Field Width
The width of a football stadium’s ground is basically the distance from one sideline to the other. According to FIFA rules, you can set width in between the range of 64 to 75 meters for international matches. The majority of professional pitches follow the standard size of 68 meters. This width will make your game fair and consistent.
Marking of Football Ground
You will see white marked line football fields that follow fixed dimensions rules. These lines are used to divide the pitch into different areas such as center circle, penalty box and goal area. These makings also show you the right shape and size of field.
End Zones Dimensions
You see a scoring area at both ends of the football field which is called the end zone. It covers the full width of the football field. The width of the end zone is 53.3 yards (48.8 m or 160 ft). But, its length is 10 yards (30 ft / 9.1 m) between the goal line & end line.
Dimensions of Sidelines
Football field sidelines are marked where the playing area starts and ends. You can set these lines as 120 yards long and 6 feet wide. These lines cover the full length of ground. Coaches and players have to stay in the space outside the sidelines.
End Lines Dimensions
You will notice short boundary lines at both ends of the football field. Each end line is 53 1/3 yards (160 feet) wide. This is the same width as the sidelines. You will find these painted markings inside the 6-foot boundary.
Football Goal Length (Dimensions of Goal Lines)
The size of the goal is standardized by the Laws of the Game set by the International Football Association Board (IFAB). You can set the length of the goal the same for every game level. Mostly, the width is 7.32 meters (24 feet) and height can be 2.44 meters.
Football Yard Lines
You will see short white lines across the football ground called yard lines. You can mark numbers every 10 yards to show distance toward the other side’s end zone. Generally, each line is 10 cm wide and has the same size. Yard lines can cover the 100 yard playing area.
Hash Mark Football Field
These are small white marks that show you each yard on the playing field. It has a length of 3 feet. But, each line is 61 cm in width. Due to these hash marks, players and coaches and referees can know the exact position on the field.
Field Boundaries
Clear boundaries are marked to show you the limit of the play area. Usually, this area is 105 meters in length and 53⅓ yards wide. However, the main playing area can be 91 meters long. That means, field is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide in total.
Football Buffer Zone
To separate the side lines & end lines from seating areas, extra space around the playing field is used. This is the buffer zone which is also called the run-off area. It is at least 3 meters wide around the ground. In case two different football fields are next to each other, you should mark a buffer zone of 6 meters.
How To Mark a Football Field?
It is important for you to mark the football field. So that, you can play the game correctly. Before a match, you must draw sidelines, end lines, yard lines, goal areas and other markings. Further, you should use right measurements and clear lines to follow the game effectively.
For the purpose of field markings, the special line-marking machines are used. You can use our JACKWIN marking robot to mark a football field accurately. Basically, it uses GPS & smart navigation to draw all types of sports ground lines. You only need to input required measurements and our marking robot will draw lines automatically with high precision.
Penalty Area in Football
The penalty area of the football field is a rectangular space in front of each goal. It is also called the 18-yard box. This zone has lines 18 yards (16.5 m) wide on each side of the goal and 18 yds (16.5 m) long into the field as well.
You will see the penalty spot 11 m from the center of the goal. Basically, it is a small circle. The penalty area location makes it easy for you to know important rules about scoring and goalkeeper actions.
Football Ground Center Circle Size
You will find a round area in the middle of a football field called the center circle of ground. It is used to show you where the game starts and restarts after a goal. Plus, a semicircle (penalty arc) is drawn outside the penalty area.
It is 9.15 m (10 yds) away from the penalty box. It is also used as a guide for you during penalty shootouts. If we talk about the total area of the circle, it is about 263.9 square meters.
Are All Football Pitches the Same Size?
Not all football pitches are exactly the same dimensions. The length and width can change. They can be 90 to 120 meters long and their width is between 45 to 90 meters.
Mostly, it depends on the level of your play, the country, as well as the type of competition. While professional games generally follow a standard size of 105 meter length & 68 meters wide. Smaller or local fields may be shorter, narrower & slightly bigger.
What is the Acreage of a Football Field
The football field is very large that you can easily measure in acres. On average, a football field covers about 1.32 acres including the end zones. FIFA also allows fields between 4,050 and 10,800 square meters. Hence, the acreage can range from 1 to 2.67 acres based on the pitch.
How Tall is a Field Goal Post?
A field goal post is much taller than the players on the field. In the NFL, the crossbar of a goal post stands 10 feet (3.05 m) above the ground. You will notice 18 feet 6 inches of space between the uprights. The posts extend upward around 35 feet.
We can say that the whole goal post is 45 feet (13.72 m) tall. The thickness of the post is approx 3 to 4 inches and the base is 6 feet 6 inches long. You must cover the bottom (1.83 m) of the post with strong padding to keep players safe.
Why is a Football Field 53 Yards Wide?
You will always find a football field (American football field) 53 yards wide. Because, this size gives your players enough room to run plays, spread out and also keep your game fair. The other reason is that the width was set long ago by the laws of the game. It’s also followed in high school, college and by the NFL.
If you set the field too narrow, the player cannot move the ball to the side. On the other hand, a wide field makes the game out of control. That’s why, this balanced width is selected to make a football game exciting, so you can easily play it at every level.
To Summarize
We can say football fields vary in size, but they all follow specific standard rules. Every mark on the ground has a special purpose. If you are a player, coach or field manager, you can easily set up the game with correct measurement knowledge. In this way, your game will be fair and the football field will also be safe for everyone.
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