Field markings
The field of play is rectangular and marked with lines called boundary lines. The two longer boundary lines are touch lines and the two shorter lines are goal lines. It is divided into two halves by a halfway line, which joins the midpoints of the two
touch lines.
The centre mark is at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15m is marked around it.
Marks are made off the field of play, 9.15m from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines and
the touch lines, to ensure defending players retreat this distance when a corner kick is taken.
The length of the touch line is greater than the length of the goal line. All lines are not more than 12cm wide.
Length (touch line): Minimum
90m, maximum 120m.
Width (goal line): Minimum 45m maximum 90m.
For senior football the recommended field dimension is 105m long and 68m wide.
Run-off area
The run-off area or buffer zone is 3m minimum. Where pitches are located alongside each other, a minimum of 6m is required.
The run‑off area beyond the pitch is free of any obstacle (including dugouts and floodlight columns) to ensure
players and officials do not injure themselves by running into any fixed object.
The run‑offs are surfaced with exactly the same surface as the playing area.
Goal area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5m from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5m and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and
the goal line is the goal area.
Penalty area
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5m from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend 16.5m into the field of play and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line.
The area bounded by these lines and the
goal line is the penalty area. Within each penalty area, a penalty mark is made 11m from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them.
An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15m from the centre of each penalty mark is drawn
outside the penalty area.
Flag posts
A flag post, not less than 1.5m high, with a non‑pointed top and a flag is located at each corner.
Flag posts are also located at each end of the halfway line, not less than one metre outside the touch line.
A flag post, not less
than 1.5m high, with a non‑pointed top and a flag is located at each corner.
Goals
A goal is located on the centre of each goal line. A goal consists of two upright posts equidistant from the corner flag posts and joined /football---soccer-goals.png?sfvrsn=2f8697af_2 "football---soccer-goals")
at the top
by a horizontal crossbar. The goalposts and crossbar must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. They are square, rectangular, round or elliptical in shape and are not dangerous to players.
The distance between the posts is
7.320m and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44m.
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth of 12cm. The goal lines have the same width as the goalposts and the crossbar. Goal nets are
attached to the posts and ground behind the goals that conforms to the Australian Standard 4866.1—2007 Playing Field Equipment – Soccer Goals. The goalposts and crossbars are white. For safety reasons goals are anchored securely to the
ground.
Interchange zone
An interchange zone is marked for all competitions where unlimited interchange applies. The interchange zone may form part of the pitch marking or identified with cones. The interchange zone starts 1m either side of the touchline from the halfway line
and extends 1m from the field of play.
Technical area
The technical area includes:
- Two team benches, capable of seating nine people in each bench.
- Cover to protect the players and officials from the elements and missiles thrown by spectators.
- Identical fixtures for both teams.
- A table and chair for the 4th Official if required.
/soccer-pitch.png?sfvrsn=df67ebff_2 "soccer-pitch")
Multi‑pitch layouts
Many pitches operate alongside each other. It is important that there is a minimum of 6m clearance between pitches (3m run‑off from each pitch).
/soccer-multi-pitch-layout-for-juniors.png?sfvrsn=d6f7985a_2 "Soccer-multi-pitch-layout-for-juniors")
Miniroos
Miniroos is a modified version of soccer for children aged 4‑11 years. There are two programs, MiniRoos Kick‑off which is the introductory program and Miniroos club football for children aged 5‑11 who are ready to play in a team based environment.
Both programs also have girls only teams.
Miniroos Club
Goals
Approved, safe portable goals must be used. Poles and markers cannot be used as goals. To comply with Australian Safety Standards, portable goals must be anchored securely to the ground. The use of sandbags or pegs is recommended when using pop‑up
style portable goals.
Markings
Field markings can be delivered by markers, traditional line marking, or a combination of both.