playing field

Rectangular surface covered with natural or synthetic grass on which a soccer match is played; a game has two 45-minute halves.

corner flag

Small post with a flag on top; it marks the intersection of the goal line and the touch line.

corner arc

Zone where the ball is placed when there is a corner kick, which is awarded when a defender puts the ball behind the goal line.

penalty area

Zone in which the goalkeeper is allowed to pick up the ball with the hands; an infraction committed against a forward inside this zone results in a penalty kick.

penalty area marking

The three white lines demarcating the penalty area.

penalty arc

Zone next to the penalty area; when there is a penalty, players must be positioned outside this zone and the penalty area.

center flag

Small post with a flag on top that marks the halfway line.

goal

Cage made up of a net mounted on a frame; a team scores a point each time it succeeds in placing the ball in the opposing goal.

penalty spot

Point located 12 yd from the goal line; the ball is placed here when a player takes a penalty kick.

goal area

Zone in which goal kicks are performed.

center circle

Circle drawn at midfield; during kickoffs, only the players on the team with ball possession are allowed into this circle.

touch line

Line along the sides of the playing field; when the ball crosses this line, it is put back into play at the same place.

substitute’s bench

Area reserved for coaches, technical staff and substitute players; a team cannot make more than three substitutions per game.

halfway line

Line dividing the field into two zones, one for each team; the teams switch zones at halftime.

center spot

Point in the middle of the halfway line where the ball is placed before a kickoff at the start of a half or after a goal has been scored.

linesman

Official who signals offsides and penalties not seen by the referee or when the ball is out of play.

referee

Official responsible for applying the rules; this individual keeps time, signals penalties, issues warnings (yellow card) and ejects players (red card).