How Big is a Soccer Field? Laws of the Game
How big is a soccer field? Soccer is usually played on grass fields, commonly referred to as “pitches”, but nowadays it can also be played on artificial grass fields, since these are very common and popular.
FIFA, the governing body of world soccer, is responsible for creating the rules, or laws of the game, and has set standardized soccer field dimensions for professional leagues around the world. Professional soccer fields approved by FIFA measure 100–130 yards (90–120 meters) long and 50–100 yards (45–90 meters) wide, but field size can vary depending on age group, skill level, and league.
Which stadium teams play at determines the size of the pitch, but most, if not all, are within the official FIFA size guidelines. In this blog post, I will explain everything you need to know about soccer field dimensions.
Youth Soccer Field Size
For youth soccer players, the soccer fields obviously have to be smaller than a full-sized pitch, and the training gear and equipment used will vary across age groups.
Ages 6-8:
Youth players aged 6-8 play small-sided 4 V 4 games on a field that is 25-35 yards (23-32 meters) long and 15-25 yards (14-23 meters) wide. Kids in this age group will play with a size 3 soccer ball and play four 10-minute quarters.
Ages 9-11:
Youth players aged 9-11 play small-sided 7 v 7 games on a field that is 55-65 yards (50-59 Meters) long and 35-45 yards (32-41 meters) wide. Kids in this age group will play with a size 4 soccer ball, and they will play two 25-minute halves
Ages 11-13:
Youth players aged 11-13 play small-sided 9 V 9 games on a field that is 70-80 yards (64-73 meters) long and 45-70 yards (41-64 meters) wide. Kids in this age group will also play with a size 4 soccer ball and play two 30-minute halves.
High School Soccer Fields
High school soccer fields usually follow the same guidelines set by FIFA, although some fields may vary in size; their dimensions are typically 100–130 yards (90–120 meters) long and 50–100 yards (45–90 meters) wide.
Freshmen and Junior Varsity:
Players play on a full-size field with a size 5 soccer ball and two 40-minute halves.
Varsity:
At these ages, game time, field size, and ball size are similar to those of a professional game. Players play on a full-size field with a size 5 soccer ball, in two 45-minute halves with a 10-15-minute halftime break.
College Soccer Fields
College soccer fields are not regulated by FIFA; they are regulated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but they usually follow the same guidelines set by FIFA and use soccer field dimensions that are 100–130 yards long (90–120 meters) and 50–100 yards wide (45–90 meters).
International Soccer Field
In professional international matches organized by FIFA, such as the FIFA World Cup, the soccer field must be 100–130 yards (90–120 meters) long and 50–100 yards (45–90 meters) wide.
Futsal Court:
Futsal, a popular indoor variation of soccer, has its own unique court dimensions. A standard futsal court measures approximately 27-32 yards (25-30 meters) long and 18-22 yards (16-20 meters) wide. Futsal is played with specialized equipment, including indoor soccer shoes and balls.
Soccer Field Markings
Now that you are more familiar with the typical soccer field dimensions, let’s discuss the main markings of a field.
- Halfway Line
- The halfway line divides a soccer field into two halves. This line runs parallel to both goal lines and helps determine which team defends which side of the field.
- Center circle
- The center circle, with a radius of 10 yards (9.15 meters), is drawn around the midpoint of the halfway line and is where teams gather before kickoff.
- The penalty box or penalty area, also known as “the box,”
- An 18-yard (16.5-meter) rectangle in front of the goal that marks the area where the goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands to handle the ball
- The penalty box also has a smaller rectangular zone that extends six yards from the posts inward. This is the area where the goalie places the ball for goal kicks if the other team hits the ball out of bounds through the goal line.
- Outside of the penalty area is the penalty arc.
- Penalty Spot:
- The penalty spot, or penalty mark, is located twelve yards (11 meters) from the center of each goal line inside the goal area, and this is where penalty kicks are taken.
- Corner Arc:
- There are four corner arcs, one at each corner of the field, and this is where corner kicks are taken. Each corner arc has a corner flag.
- Touchline
- Line running the entire length of the field long ways
- Goal Lines
- Line running the entire width of the field, short ways
Finding Local Soccer Fields Near You
If you are looking for a soccer field to improve your skills, play pickup games, or any other variation of the game, then Google Maps will become your best friend. All you have to do is type in “soccer fields near me” in the search bar, and you will see all the nearby options with their distances from your current location.
Click each option to get more details, including hours of operation, user reviews, photos of the facility, and directions to the field. Some of the most important questions to ask when looking for a field is what type of surface is available to play on, whether there is free or paid parking, and whether they have other amenities such as bathrooms.
Summary
To summarize, a soccer pitch, or football pitch, has standardized dimensions set by FIFA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB). Soccer pitches vary across different playing levels, but they will usually always follow the same FIFA guidelines or stick to them as closely as possible.
In this blog, I covered everything you need to know about soccer field dimensions. Now it is your turn to choose the right cleats, gather the right training equipment, head to a soccer pitch, and start your training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of cleats do you need for soccer?
There are different types of soccer cleats, all designed for various surfaces, and playing with the right cleats is crucial for optimal performance and injury prevention.
- FG (Firm Ground Soccer Cleats): Designed for natural grass fields.
- SG (Soft Ground Soccer Cleats): Designed for wet and muddy grass fields
- AG (Artificial Grass Shoes): Designed for artificial surfaces
- IC (Indoor shoes): Designed for indoor surfaces and harder outdoor surfaces
How can I begin improving my soccer skills right now?
To begin improving your soccer skills right now, check out our post on the best soccer training drills. If you are looking to accelerate your progress and want private training, check out Coach Daniel’s website and fill out the player interest form.
http://How can I learn more about the game?
To learn more about soccer, the most important thing is to join a team and play the game as much as possible. If possible, analyze high-level games as much as you can and your own games as well by recording them with a soccer camera. Also read soccer books, listen to podcasts and interviews, watch soccer documentaries, as well as some movies, TV shows, and anime.
