the fa guide to pitch and goalpost dimensionsfiles.pitchero.com/leagues/3038_1440945545.pdfthe fa...

The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost DimensionsIncluding Information on Line Marking 01

The FA Guide To PiTch And GoAlPosT dimensionsIncludIng InformatIon on lIne markIng

02 The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost DimensionsIncluding Information on Line Marking

The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost dimensionsincluding information on line marking 03

the fa receives many enquiries around pitch and goalpost sizes that are suitable for specific age groups. this document explains the various sizes of goalposts recommended and pitch markings for the following forms of the game:• MiniSoccer5v5and7v7• 9v9Football• YouthFootball• AdultFootball• FootballpyramidSteps1-7(FootballConferencedownthepyramid)

The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost dimensions

Introduction

Contents04 Pitch Dimensions

06 Goalpost Dimensions

08 Goalpost Safety

10 Line Marking

14 RESPECT

16 Appendix 1: Pitch Layouts and Goalpost Dimensions

26 Appendix 2: Layouts for Multi-pitch Parks

28 Appendix 3: Further Advice and Information

30 The FA Facilities Team Contact Information

© the football association 2012WhilsteveryefforthasbeenmadetoensuretheaccuracyoftheinformationcontainedinthispublicationanypartywhomakesuseofanypartofthisdocumentinthedevelopingnaturalgrasspitchesshallindemnifyTheFootballAssociation,itsservants,consultantsoragentsagainstallclaims,proceedings,actions,damages,costs,expensesandanyotherliabilitiesforlossordamagetoanyproperty,orinjuryordeathtoanypersonthatmaybemadeagainstorincurredbytheFootballAssociationarisingoutoforinconnectionwithsuchuse.

Theseguidelinesareintendedtoproviderecommendedsizeguidancetopotentialconsumerstoallowthemtomakeinformedchoiceswhenmarkingoutofafootballpitch.




Pitch Dimensions

general considerationsThefollowingpointsshouldbenoted:

• Therun-offareabeyondthepitchshouldbefreeofanyobstacle(includingdugoutsandfloodlightcolumns)toensureplayersandofficialsdonotinjurethemselvesbyrunningintoanyfixedobject.Therun-offsshouldbesurfacedwithexactlythesamesurfaceastheplayingarea.TarmacandconcretearenotallowedbutFootballTurf(3Gartificialturf)isallowedformatchofficialsrunoffs.

• ClubsparticipatingintheNationalLeagueSystemshould refer to The FA national Ground Grading Documents(GradeA-G)asthereisaminimumof1.83m(2yards)required.Howeveritshouldbenotedthatarunoffof3yardsormoreisdesirable.Allnewpitchesshouldhaveaminimumof4yardsrunofftoaccommodateanyfuturechangesintheNationalGroundGradingDocuments.

• ClubsparticipatingintheNationalLeagueSystemshould refer to The FA national Ground Grading Documents(GradeA-G)toascertainthesizeofdugoutsandamountofhardstandingrequiredfortheleveltheyplayat.

• Wherepitchesarelocatedalongsideeachother,aminimumofa6yardsrunoffshouldexist.Anadditional4yardsmightberequirediftoaccommodatespectatorareas.

• ItisrecognisedthatCountyFootballAssociationsandLeaguesmayhavedefinedrulesfortheirowncompetitionswhicharewithinthemaximumandminimumsizesassetoutintheLawsoftheGame.Howevertheabovepitchsizesshouldbeadoptedwherepossible.

the fa recommended Pitch Sizes

Age grouping TypeRecommendedsizewithoutrunoff

(safetyareaaroundpitch)Recommendedsizeincludingrunoff

(safetyareaaroundpitch)Recommendedsizeofgoalposts

Lengthxwidth(yards) Lengthxwidth(yards) Heightxwidth(ft)

Mini-SoccerU7/U8 5v5 40 30 46 36 6 12

Mini-SoccerU9/U10 7v7 60 40 66 46 6 12

YouthU11/U12 9v9 80 50 86 56 7 16

YouthU13/U14 11v11 90 55 96 61 7 16

YouthU15/U16 11v11 100 60 106 66 8 24

YouthU17/U18 11v11 110 70 116 76 8 24

Over18(seniorages) 11v11 110 70 116 76 8 24

PitchesinthepasthavebeenmarkedoutusingthemaximumandminimumpitchsizesasprovidedintheLawsoftheGame.Thesesizeswillvarytremendouslyoftenadaptedtousethespaceavailableandareopentolocalinterpretation.TheFAhasconsultedwidelyonthisandhasbeenencouragedtoproducetherecommendedpitchsizesforMiniSoccer,9v9,YouthandAdultfootball.



goalpost StorageGoalsnotinuseshouldbeproperlystored.Storedgoalsshouldneverbeleftaccessible,uprightorunstable.Socketedandfoldedfree-standinggoalsshouldnotbeleftleaningunsecured,rathertheyshouldbelockedsecurelyandsafely.;ifthisisnotpossible,theyshouldbeleftlyingflatonthegroundsotheycannotfallover.


Goalpost Dimensions

mobile /free-standing goalpostsFree-standinggoalsneedtobeappropriatelystabilisedinaccordancewiththemanufacturer’sinstructions.

Themostcommonlyusedmethodsofstabilisationcanbesignificantlyaffectedbypoorinstallationtechniques,aswellasbypoorgroundconditions.Consequently,themostreliablemethodsofstabilisingfree-standinggoalsareattachingthebackbartopermanentfixingpointsviaeyeboltsandstainless-steelloopssetinconcreteblocks,suitableattachmentpointsonapermanentfenceorwall,orusingweightsattachedtothegoal’sbackbareitherinthecorrectpositionsasspecifiedbythemanufacturer,orintegraltothegoal.

the fa goalpost Sizes

6 feet

12 feet

16 feet

24 feet

7 feet 8 feet

mini Soccer (u7 - u10)

Youth (u11 - u14)

Youth / adult (u15 +)

Duetouncertaintyintypesofgroundand/orgroundconditions,theuseofpins,pegs,u-staplesorscrew0inanchorsonnaturalturfpitchesisnotgenerallyrecommended.However,ifthereisevidencethattheyareeffectiveundertheworstpredictablegroundconditionsonthesiteinquestion,thentheymaybeconsidered.



goalpost Safety guidelinesTheFootballAssociation,alongwiththeDepartmentforCulture,MediaandSport,theHealthandSafetyExecutiveandtheBritishStandardsInstitution,wouldliketodrawyourattentiontothefollowingguidelinesforthesafeuseofgoalposts.

Severalseriousinjuriesandfatalitieshaveoccurredinrecentyearsasaresultofunsafeorincorrectuseofgoalposts.Safetyisalwaysofparamountimportanceandeveryoneinfootballmustplaytheirparttopreventsimilarincidentsoccurringinthefuture:

1 Forsafetyreasonsgoalpostsofanysize(includingthosewhichareportableandnotinstalledpermanentlyatapitchorpracticefield)mustalwaysbeanchoredsecurelytothegroundorhaveaweightedbackbar.

•Portablegoalpostsmustbesecuredasperthemanufacturer’sinstructions;thisisalsoarequirementfortheLawsoftheGame.

•Undernocircumstancesshouldchildrenoradultsbeallowedtoclimbon,swingorplaywiththestructureofthegoalposts;

•Particularattentionisdrawntothefactthatifnotproperlyassembledandsecured,portablegoalpostsmayoverturn;and

•Regularinspectionsofgoalpostsmustbecarriedouttocheckthattheyareproperlymaintained.

2 Portablegoalpostsshouldnotbeleftinplaceafteruse.Theyshouldbeeitherdismantledandremovedtoaplaceofsecurestorage,orplacedtogetherandsuitablefixingsappliedtopreventunauthoriseduseatanytime.

3 Theuseofmetalcuphooksonanypartofagoalframewasbannedfromthecommencementofseason2007-08andmatchofficialshavebeeninstructednottocommencematcheswheresuchnetfixingsareevidentforsafetyreasons.Netsmaybesecuredbyplasticfixings,arrowheadshapedplastichooksortapeandnotbymetalcuphooks.


Goalpost Safety

Anymetalcuphooksshouldberemovedandreplaced.Newgoalpostsshouldnotbepurchasediftheyincludemetalcuphooks.

4 Goalpostswhichare“homemade”orwhichhavebeenalteredfromtheiroriginalsizeorconstructionshouldnotbeusedunderanycircumstancesastheypotentialposeaserioussafetyrisk.

5 ThereisnoBS/CENstandardforwoodengoalsanditisunlikelythatwoodengoalswillpassaloadorstabilitytest.TheFArecommendsthatwoodengoalsshouldbereplacedwhennecessarywithcompliantmetal,aluminiumorplasticgoalposts.Allwoodengoalspreviouslytestedbyindependentconsultantshavefailedstrengthandstabilitytests.

Forreference,youshouldnotethatTheFAandBSI,inconjunctionwiththeindustry,havedevelopedtwostandardsforgoalposts–BSEN748(2004)andBS8462(2005).BS8462+2(2005)wasupdatedinMarch2012.Itisstronglyrecommendedthatyouensurethatallgoalspurchasedcomplywiththerelevantstandard.ACodeofPracticeBS8461hasalsobeencompletedandcopiesofallofthesethreestandardsareavailablefromtheBSI.

Funding for the replacement of unsafe goals is availableviatheFootballFoundationandeligibilitycriteriaandfurtherdetailscanbeobtainedfrom theirwebsiteatwww.footballfoundation.org.uk.

TheFAtogetherwithrepresentativesfromtheindustry,sportsgoverningbodiesandGovernmenthavepreparedguidancenotesforpitchusersandpitchproviders,whichsummarisethekeyprioritiesoftheBSI’sCodeofPracticeandprovidefurtherdetailsontheinformationincludedabove.ThesedetailsarefeaturedwithinthefacilitiessectionofTheFA’swebsiteatTheFA.com

rememBer to uSe goalPoStS SafelY at all tImeS

Severalseriousinjuriesandfatalitieshaveoccurredinrecentyearsasaresultofunsafeorincorrectuseofgoalposts.Pleasemakesurethatyouarefollowingthe guidance to minimise the risk ofinjuries.

The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost DimensionsIncluding Information on Line Marking10 The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost Dimensions

Including Information on Line Marking 11


Line Marking

Various practices have been used in the past for the application of white lines to football pitches. the objectives of such practices has been to both reduce labour and materials costs whilst endeavouring to keep the lines visible for a greater length of time. Some of these practices have lead to injury and subsequent court action being taken against managers and clubs. You are therefore advised to study the following notes carefully.

legislationThemaingoverningfactorsformarkingoutwhitelinesare the same as that for other routine tasks in theworkplace.

1 duty of care UndertheHealth&SafetyatWorkAct1974everyemployerhasadutyofcaretoensuretheworkplaceissafefortheiremployees,contractors,visitors,players,andspectators.

2. the control of Substances Hazardous to Health regulations 1994 (coSHH)

Regulationstopreventillhealthfromexposuretoanyhazardoussubstancespresentintheworkplace.

3. risk assessment Youarerequiredtocarryoutassessmentsonalltaskscarriedoutintheworkplaceinrelationtothenatureofhazard,worstoutcome,person(s)atrisk,currentprecautions,estimatedriskandfurtherprecautions.

Ifallthreeoftheaboveareaddressedsatisfactorilythiswillautomaticallygovernwhattouseforwhitelinemarking,ensurebestpracticeand,aboveall,safety.

Itisthedutyofallmanagerstoensurethatalltheregulationsareadheredto,astheyareultimatelyresponsibleintheeyesofthelaw.Iflinemarkingiscarriedoutbycontractorsthenaspecificationshouldbedrawnuptoincludeallthesafeguardsoutlinedintheseguidancenotes.Thiscouldalsoextendtoincludespecifyingaparticularproduct.

Suitable line marking compoundsPermanent paintsBasedonpigmentedviscousliquid.These“paints”canbeappliedeitherinadilutedformorneat.

PowdersTherearevariousnon-toxicwhitingpowdersavailablewhicharebasedongroundnaturalcalciumcarbonateandcanheusedwetordry.TheyaresafetouseprovidedCOSHHprinciplesareapplied.UnderCOSHHtheuserwouldberequiredtowearglovesandeyeprotectionandtowashoffanycontactwiththeskinasaprecautionarymeasure.Mostpowdersaresuppliedinafineform.

HydratedLime(Calciumhydroxide)shouldneverbeusedforlinemarking.Itistoxicandcangiverisetochemicalskinburnsandirritations.Itcancauseseriousdamagetotheeyesandskinoncontactinbothitsdryorwetform.Itsuseisnotrecommendedunderanycircumstances.

use of Herbicides to reinforce line markingsUntilTheFoodandEnvironmentProtectionAct,1985(FEPA)wasintroducedmanygroundsmenandclubmembersusedvariousherbicidesmixedinwithwhiteningcompoundstokeepthelinesinlongerandmorevisibleduringthewinterplayingseason.

Itis,however,onlypermissibletouseaherbicidewhichisapprovedforuseonsportsturf,andthisislikelytobeatotalherbicide.COSHHandRiskAssessmentmustbecarriedoutpriortoanyapplication.Afurthergoverningfactoristhattheusermusthaveobtainedhis/herCertificateofCompetenceinUseofPesticides(PAl,PA2AorPA6A).

Anyherbicideproductforlinemarkingmustbeusedwithintheconditionsofapprovalgrantedunder TheControlofPesticideRegulations,1986(COPR),andasoutlinedontheproductlabel.Thereshouldbenorisktoplayersbycontactortransferoftheactiveherbicidetoanypartofthebody.

Theadditionofherbicidestowhiteningmaterialsisnotarecommendedpracticeunlesscarriedoutbyacompetent,certificatedperson.Creosoteisanothercompound used in the past to mark and reinforce line markingsbutitisnotapprovedforuseonsportsturfunderCOPR.Itsuseisthereforenotrecommendedunderanycircumstances.

TheuseofHydratedLime,herbicideadditives andcreosotecanresultinseriousinjurytoplayersbecauseitleadstoanunevenplayingsurface. Thiscanultimatelyleadtoactionsagainstbothclubsorindividuals.

Itisthedutyofallfacilityprovidersto ensure that all the regulations areadheredto,aswewanttopromotethesafeuseoffootballfacilitiestoimproveeveryone’sexperienceofthegame.



machines available to mark White linesMarkingmachinesfallintothefollowingcategories:

1 dry line markers Asthenameimplies,theseareforapplyingdrypowdercompounds.

2 Pressure Pump markers Awheeldrivenpumpforcesmarkingfluidthrough ajetorspoutdirectlyontotheturfsurface.

3 electric Pump markers Thesearebatterydriventoconstantlymaintain therequiredpressureanddirecttheliquidonto theturfsurface.

4 Belt feed markers Thesehaveamovingbeltsystemwhichconveys acontinualsupplyofliquidontotheturfsurface bycontact.

5 Wheel transfer markers Theseconveytheliquidviarotatingwheelontoatrayandthenviaaspongewheeldirectlyontotheturfsurface.

6 laser marking Tocome...

multi-line marking on Single PitchesTheFAhasbeengrantedpermissionbyFIFAtoallowforanotherpitchtobemarkedacrossapitchaslongasthelinesareinadifferentcolour.Itshouldbeeasytodistinguishbetweenthetwocolours.Thereccommendedsecondarycolourtobeusedforacrossmarkedpitchshouldbeblue.

Anexampleofhowa9v9pitchcanbecrossmarkedisincludedinthediagrams.onpages24and25.

use of coned areas to divide pitches AlargenumberofFootballTurf(3GArtificialTurf)pitchesarenowusedforcompetitivematchplayatminisoccerandyouthlevel.Sometimesitisdifficultpermanentlymarkoutthesetypesofpitchesbecauseofthewiderangeofusestheyhave.Suitableconescanbeusedtomarkoutapitchinthisinstance.

Itisacceptabletomarknaturalgrasspitchesfor MiniSoccerand9v9byusingflatcones.


Line Marking (continued)

TheFAhasbeengrantedpermissionbyFIFAtoallowforanotherpitchtobemarkedacrossa pitch as long as the lines are in a differentcolour.

– to cover agPsPovesareyouinagreementwiththisbecausewhenwelastspokeyousaidthatNickLhadmovedawayfrom this?

9v9 footballItisadvisableforClubsandLeaguesthatuselocalauthority,parishortowncouncilpitchestoconsultwithkeypersonnelwhendecidingontheimplementationof9v9football.Itwillbeimportanttoestablishhowthisformatwillbedelivered,timescalesandtheoptimumdeliveryprocess,eg.centralvenue,homeandaway,etc.




RESPECT

the fa reSPect designated Spectators’ areas were introduced in 2008 as a response to concern at some touchline spectator behaviour – particularly in youth football. the area can be marked using an additional painted line, the use of cones or a roped-off area. the best results have come when use has been made of a temporary spectators’ barrier system.

Theareasdrawthelinewhichspectatorsshouldnotcross.Itdetersthemfromstandingonthetouchlineor infringing onto the pitch and creates a clearer distinctionbetweenthosewhoaretheretospectateandthosewitharesponsibilitytocoachandmanage.Asaconsequencetheexperienceofmatchofficialsandplayersisimproved.

The reccommended arrangement is to mark out a DesignatedSpectators’Areaontheoppositesideofthepitchtoclubofficials(manager/coachesetc)forspectatorstostandbehind.

Thisallowsthemanager/coachesofbothteamstostandontheothersideofthepitch,meaningplayerscanbetterdistinguishtheadvicefromtheirteamofficials.

TheDesignatedSpectators’Areashouldideallystartthreeyardsfromthetouchline.Theareashouldrunthefulllengthofthepitch.Ideallynospectatorsshouldbewatchingfrombehindthegoalasthisisnotadesignatedspectatorarea.Itisrecognisedhoweverthatthealignmentofsomepublicpitchesdoesnotallowforthissetupinwhichcaseotherappropriatearrangementsshouldbemadetobestmeettheguidanceissuedinthisdocument.

YoumaypreferanalternativeformofmarkingaDesignatedSpectators’Area,butyoumustensurethisissafeforboththespectators,theplayersandmatchofficials.TheFAstronglyrecommendsyouobtainformalagreementfromthefacility/pitchprovideraboutwhichmethodofmarkingismostsuitableforthepitch,beforebeginninganyworkorbuyinganynewequipment.Thesafetyoftheplayers,officialsandspectatorsisparamount.

TohelpimplementtheDesignatedSpectators’Area,TheFAhasendorsedaRespectBarrierKitwhichisavailablefromwww.Touchlinelogos.com.

AFootballFoundationschemetoassistclubsandleaguestopurchasetouchlinebarrierswillbeavailablefromSummer2012.

ResearchhasshowthatDesignatedSpectators’Areashaveabeneficialimpactonthebehaviourofspectatorsandtheirimpactonplayersandmatchofficials.




Appendix 1:Pitch Layouts and Goalpost Dimensions

mini Soccer u7 and u8 (5v5)

Recommended pitchsize: 40x30yards

Recommended goalpostsize:6x12feet

the following pages highlight the pitch layouts for all forms of the game, along with internal pitch markings and goal post sizes.

ThespectatorareacanbemarkedoutbyusingeitherasinglewhitelineorFARespectlogobarriers.

Thetechnicalareisforusebymanagersandcoachedandshouldideallybemarkedoutusingeitherwhitelinemarkingorcones.



u11 and u12 (9v9)



mini Soccer u9 and u10 (7v7)





u13 and u14 (11v11)



u15 and u16 (11v11)





over 18 and adult football



clubs Playing in the national league SystemSteps1-6



* Please note that dugoutsizevariesdepending on the leveloftheleaguetheclubplaysin.Detailsofthesizeofdugoutsisdetailed in The FA national Ground Grading document A-G



marking 9 v 9 on a full Size Pitch Option1

Where there is limitedspace,thereistheabilitytomarkout9v9pitches across a full sizepitch.

Recommended pitchsize: 74x50yards (on110x70yards)

marking 9 v 9 on a full Size Pitch Option2

Where there is limitedspace,thereistheabilitytomarkout9v9pitches across a full sizepitch.

Recommended pitchsize: 70x46yards (on110x70yards)

if there is more spaceavailableitisrecommended to increase the length of the pitch to saveonwearandtear around the goalmouths



3 yards

3 yards (runoff)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)2

yard

s (te

ch. a

rea)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)2

yard

s (RE

SPEC

T ar

ea)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

6 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

6 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

3 ya

rds (

runo

ff)

2 yards (RESPECT area)3 yards (runoff)

3 yards (runoff)

3 yards (runoff)

3 yards (runoff)


3 yards (runoff)

3 yards (runoff)


3 yards (runoff)

40 yards

60 yards 40 yards 40 yards

110 yards80 yards

50 yards

70 yards

30 yards 30 yards

example layout for multi-pitch Park

Includes:Fullsize(110x70);9v9(U11/U12,80x50);mini soccer U9/U10(60x40);2xMiniSoccer U7/U8(40x30)


Appendix 2:Layouts for Multi-pitch Parks

many pitches operate alongside each other. It is important that there is a minimum of six yards of clearance (three yards run-off from each pitch) between the two pitches to avoid player injuries. If a respect spectator area is added, then this two-yard area is in addition to this six yards.

Itisgoodpracticewhereitallowstogrpuspectatorareastogetherbecausethefacilityoperator...(restcroppedoffscan!)




Appendix 3:Further Advice and Information

Notes

for further information or guidance regarding any of the issues covered in this document, please contact you local fa regional facilities manager (details overleaf).

Alternatively,visitTheFA.com,oremail [email protected].

MoreinformationaboutpitchesandgoalpostssuitableforyouthfootballcanbefoundonlineatTheFA.com/my-football/player/youth-football/ youth-development-review.

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The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost DimensionsIncluding Information on Line Marking30

north West eamonn [email protected]

north east & Yorkshire mark [email protected]

West midlands [email protected]


The FA Facilities Team Contact Details

east midlands [email protected]

east mark [email protected]

london [email protected]

South east [email protected]

South Westsimon [email protected]

The FA Guide to Pitch and Goalpost DimensionsIncluding Information on Line Marking32

thefa.com/GetintoFootball/Facilities

the faWembleyStadium, Wembley,LondonHA90WS

Postal address:The FAWembleyStadium, POBox1966,LondonSW1P9EQ

telephone:08449808200

email:[email protected]

Visit:TheFA.com

The FA Guide To PiTch And GoAlPosT dimensionsIncludIng InformatIon on lIne markIng