Soccer, Lacrosse & Hockey

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Soccer, Lacrosse & Field Hockey - Rules & Regulations

Line Boundary Dimensions
 
Before we look at the line and boundary dimensions for each of these three sports, it should be noted that lacrosse end lines and sidelines are outside the field of play (out-of-bounds), while corresponding lines for field hockey and soccer are considered within the field of play.
 
Soccer
The long sidelines of the field are called touchlines, while the shorter lines are referred to as goal lines. The halfway line divides the ends of the field. A center circle with a radius of 30 feet surrounds the center spot, from which the ball is put into play at the start of a half (or, for younger children, a quarter) or after a goal.
 
At each end of the field is a goal area, 60 feet wide and 18 feet deep, immediately in front of the goals. A larger area, the penalty area, is a rectangle 132 feet wide and 54 feet deep. Directly in front of the goal and 36 feet out is the penalty spot, from which point penalty kicks are taken. An arc extends from the outer edge of the penalty area, 30 feet away from the penalty spot, and is known as the penalty arc. At each corner of the field, an arc with a 3 foot radius marks the areas from which corner kicks are taken.
 
Team bench and coaching areas are located on the same side of the field. An officials' area occupies the 30 foot area at the middle of the field, and bench areas begin 15 feet from the officials' area. Each team's area is 60 feet long, and both bench and officials' areas are 10 feet back from the touchline.
 
(See Figure 13.3 for soccer field dimensions and lines. Table 13.3 shows minimum and maximum dimensions for high school and college.)
 
Lacrosse
A lacrosse field should be 330 feet long and 180 feet wide. Goals are positions on the long axis of the field, 45 feet from the end line. A circle with a radius of 9 feet is marked around each goal.
 
A 4" center line divides the halves of the field, and 2" lines 60 feet away set off the center of the field from each team's "goal area." Thirty feet inside each sideline and parallel to it, a 60 foot line is marked with its center on the midfield line; these lines designate the "Wing Area." A broken line 30 feet from the sideline denotes the goal area.
 
As in soccer, team benches are on the same side of the field and 18 feet back from the sidelines. A timer's table sits 18 feet off the sideline at midfield, with a 30 foot wide clear space called the "table area" in front of it. Team benches are in a space from 30 feet to 60 feet away from midfield, and the space in front of the bench is designated as the "coachs' area." Finally, a "limit line" is marked 18 feet outside each sideline.
 
(See Figure 13.4 for lacrosse field dimensions and lines.)
 
Field Hockey
A regulation field hockey field is 300 feet long and 180 feet wide, with a midfield line and two 25 yard lines across the field. Goals are located on the goal lines, and an arc with a 48 foot radius from each upright is marked around each goal. Directly in front of the goals, a 12 foot long line connects the two arcs. Twenty-one feet from the goal in the center of the field, a 12" "penalty stroke line" is marked. A circle with a 15 foot radius is marked around the exact center of the field.
 
Figure 13.3. Soccer field dimensions and lines.
 
Table 13.3. Minimum and Maximum Dimensions for High School and College Soccer Fields (in feet)
 
Figure 13.4. Lacrosse field dimensions and lines.
 
Figure 13.5. Field hockey field dimensions and lines.
 
At the boundaries of the field, and 15 feet from the sidelines, "alley lines" are indicated by marking hash marks across the midfield line, end lines, and 25-yard lines. Lines are also marked inward from the sidelines on each side of the field at 48 feet from the back line, to correspond to the top of the goal arc. Finally, small hash marks are made on the back lines 15 and 30 feet outside the goals themselves.
 
All lines must be at least 3" wide.
 
Team benches are on the same side of the field, on either side of an officials' table and 15 feet back from the sideline. "Spectator lines" are marked 30 feet outside the sideline on the side where benches are located, and 15 feet outside the sideline on the other side.
 
(See Figure 13.5 for field hockey field dimensions and lines.)
 
13.6b Governing and Sanctioning Bodies
 
Soccer:
American Youth Soccer Organization
P. O. Box 5045
Hawthorne, California
90251-5045
(213) 643-6455

 
College:
The National Collegiate Athletic Association
6201 College Boulevard
Overland Park, Kansas
66211
(913) 339-1906

 
High School:
National Federation of State High School Associations
11724 NW Plaza Circle,
P. O. Box 20626
Kansas City, Missouri
64195
 
Lacrosse:
The Lacrosse Foundation
113 West University Parkway
Baltimore, Maryland
21210
(301) 235-6882
FAX (301) 366-6735
 
National Collegiate Athletic Associations (NCAA)
National Federation of State High School Associations
(Addresses above)
 
Field Hockey:
Field Hockey Association of America
1750 East Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado
80909
(719) 578-4587
 
National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Federation of State High School Associations
(Addresses above)