THE SOCCER FIELD

Sidelines (Touchlines)
The two long edges of the field are called sidelines (also called touchlines). When the entire ball crosses a sideline, play stops. It does not matter if the ball is rolling or in the air...the entire ball must cross the line. Play then restarts with a throw-in.

Goal Lines (End Lines)
The two short edges of the field are called goal lines (also called end lines). When the entire ball crosses a goal line, one of three things happens: a goal is scored, or play restarts with a goal kick, or a corner kick (depending on which team touched the ball last).

Halfway Line
The field is divided in half by the halfway line.

Center Mark and Center Circle
In the center of the field is the center mark, surrounded by the center circle. All kickoffs take place here.

Penalty Area
In front of each goal is a large rectangle called the penalty area. This area matters because it is the only place where the goalkeeper may use their hands, and because certain fouls here result in a penalty kick.

Goal Area
Inside the penalty area is a smaller rectangle called the goal area. This area defines where goal kicks are taken.

Corner Marks (Corner Arc)
Corner marks are located at each corner of the field. When the ball goes out of play over the goal line and a corner kick is awarded, the ball is placed inside the corner arc nearest to where it left the field.

The Build-Out Line (U10 Only)

Some youth fields include a build-out line, which runs parallel to the halfway line and sits halfway between the top of the penalty area and the halfway line.

The build-out line affects goal kicks, goalkeeper possession with the hands, and offsides.

Goal Kicks
On goal kicks, the opposing team must retreat behind the build-out line before play can restart. They can only cross the line once the ball is kicked.

Goalkeeper Possession (Hands)
When the goalkeeper has the ball in their hands, the opposing team must retreat behind the build-out line before play can restart. They can only cross the line once the ball is released.

Offside and the Build-Out Line
The build-out line also changes how offside is applied. Offside is not called between the halfway line and the build-out line. It is only enforced once attacking players move beyond the build-out line toward goal.

At U12 and older, the build-out line is not used.