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Length of a Football Field (Soccer Pitch)

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Bibliographic Entry Result
(w/surrounding text)
Standardized
Result
The Official Soccer Book of the United States Soccer Federation. N.p.: Rand McNally & Company, 1978, 20. "Soccer is played on a rectangular field, traditionally called a pitch, which must be between 100 and 130 yards long and 50 to 100 yards wide." 91–119 m
"Soccer." The World Book Encyclopedia. Vol 18. Chicago: World Book, Inc., 1999. "The field is rectangular and may vary in size. In international competition, it measures from 100 to 130 yards (91 to 119 meters) long and from 50 to 100 yards (46 to 91 meters) wide." 91–119 m
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer. New York: Alpha Books, 1999. 18. "Soccer is played on a grassy — you hope — rectangle that runs anywhere from 100 to 130 yards long is between 50 to 100 yards wide." 91–119 m
Litterer, Dave. A Historical Overview of American Soccer History. "They established 20 players on a team, a field measuring 400 feet × 250 feet, 25 foot wide goal, 6 goals to win, and a point by passing the goal past the goal posts." 122 m
Soccer for Beginners: How to Understand & Play the Game of Soccer. Silver Spring: Allied, 1994. 8-9. "This law states that the field of play shall be a rectangle of length 100 yards to 130 yards, and width 50 yards to 100 yards." 91–119 m

Soccer is the world's most favorite sport as well as the most popular spectator sport. Soccer is also known as football or association football in Britain and other European countries.

Soccer is played on a rectangular field where two teams of 11 players, aim to kick or head the ball into the other team's goal (excluding the goalkeeper). Only the goalkeeper of each team is permitted to handle the ball with their arms and hands. Depending on the age and skill level of the players, the field can range from 100 to 130 yards (91 to 119 meters) in length and 50 to 100 yards (46 to 91 meters) in width. At either end, there is a goal, a goal area enclosed in the larger penalty area. Placed at the center of the goal lines at each end of the field are two 8-foot upright posts, which are 8 yards apart, joined by a horizontal crossbar. The goal posts and crossbars must be white. Since the field of play must be rectangular, the length of the touchline must be greater than the length of the goal line.

Jennifer Yu -- 2002

Bibliographic Entry Result
(w/surrounding text)
Standardized
Result
Coleman,Lori. Fundamental Soccer. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 1995: 11. "A soccer field is always a large rectangle, but it can be from 100 to 130 yards long and from 50 to 100 yards wide." 90–120 m
"Soccer." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99. Microsoft Corporation, 1993-1998. "FIFA rules state that a soccer field must be rectangular. It must be between 90 and 120 m (100 and 130 yd) long and between 45 and 90 m (50 and 100 yd) wide." 90–120 m
Sullivan, George. All About Soccer. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2001: 7-9. "The field is a big rectangle. The official rules state that the field must be between 100 and 130 yards long and between 50 and 100 yards wide." 90–120 m
Lineker, Gary. SuperGuides Soccer. New York: Dorling Kindersley Publishing, Inc. 1994: 12. "The game features a round ball, which is kicked nd dribbled up a rectangular field that can be up to 130 yd (120 m) long and 100 yd (90 m) wide." 120 m
Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Laws of the Game 2001 Edition. Zurich, Switzerland: Fédération Internationale de Football Association, 2001. "Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds)
maximum: 120 m (130 yds)
Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds)
maximum: 90 (100 yds)"
90–120 m
"International Matches
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds)
maximum: 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds)
maximum: 75 (80 yds)"
110–120 m

Soccer is a game played by two opposing teams on a field 90 to 120 meters long and 45 to 90 meters wide. In international matches, the measurements are stricter. The minimum length is 100 meters and it cannot exceed 110 meters. The width has to be between 64 and 75 meters. The goal of the game is to kick or head the ball into the opponent's goal without the use of hands. There is a penalty area at the goal line where the goal is. It is 16.5 by 11 meters wide. Goalkeepers may use their hands in this area but not once they venture beyond its boundaries. This is the only time hands can be used in a game. The ball, usually made of leather, is 68 to 70 centimeters in circumference and weighs between 410 and 450 grams. It is constructed of 32 black and white panels, 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. The duration of one match is 90 minutes and it is played in two 45 minute halves. Each team consists of 11 players. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the official governing body of soccer worldwide. They are responsible for both the Olympics and the World Cup. According to the FIFA, the official name of soccer is association football. The name soccer is said to be derived from its official name, association football.


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Source: Fédération Internationale de Football Association

Lisa Tsang -- 2002