Football Ground Size In Meters In India

Football is a global sport played everywhere around the world. It’s a sport that unites people of diverse races, colors, and cultures. The same rule governs how to play football worldwide, but football ground dimensions vary from country to country. What do the football ground dimensions look like in India? Find out below.

Football Ground Measurement In India – Football Ground Measurement

According to Federation Internationale De Football Association and All India Football Association, there are different areas on the football pitch, such as the 18 box, the corner area, the goal post, and so on, and each area has its specific measurement.

However, generally, the standard size of a football ground in India is 100 yards (91.44 meters) in length and 64 yards (58.04 meters) in width, according to the regulations set by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

The penalty area is defined as an arc of a circle with a radius of 16.5 yards (15.09 meters) from the center of the goal line. The penalty spot is located 11 yards (10.06 meters) from the center of the goal line.

The goal is 8 yards (7.32 meters) wide and 8 feet (2.44 meters) tall. These dimensions apply to professional and top-level competitions, and there may be slight variations in size for smaller or amateur leagues.

Field Surface

According to the Football Association in India, the football field must be smooth and level; it must be of natural green grass or perfectly conditioned artificial turf. If it is a natural grass, a water system must be built to irrigate it frequently for proper use during the dry season. The football pitch must have a functioning underground and surface drainage system to get water off the pitch during the wet season and irrigate it during the dry season.

Ensure that the football ground is level so the ball can move easily, passes can go through, and players can control the ball without much hassle. The grass must grow uniformly, and there should be no water-logged area on or beside the football ground. Hiring professionals with experience in India’s football ground measurement is best when building the playing surface.

Hiring a professional will make the work easier, faster, and more efficient. Football field construction requires extra preparation, planning, and expertise; planting a suitable playing surface, selecting the correct grass and seed, and constructing a solid irrigation system will make the whole football pitch construction successful.

After the building, keeping the football ground in the best condition is of utmost necessity. Cultivate proper maintenance and get the best resources, such as professionals, mechanical aids, testing materials, and fertilizers. According to the football association in India,

• If you use an artificial football ground, the color must be green.
• If you use artificial turf pitches in FIFA international matches or international club matches, make sure the quality of the turf meets FIFA requirements unless you get a unique direction from the football governing body.

Field Markings

• The field of play must be rectangular in shape, and there must be lines to specify some markings. The lines marked mean boundaries such as the center mark, corner kick area, halfway line, center circle, penalty area, penalty arc, and so on.
• There are two long boundary lines and two short boundary lines, and they are called “touch lines” and “goal lines,” respectively.
• A halfway line divides the football pitch into two, connecting the two touchlines.
• The center mark is in the middle of the halfway line, and there must be a circle of radius 9.15m marked around it.
• In most cases, marks outside the field of play, in the corner arc, close to the goal area or the touchline to ensure that the defenders are conversant of these boundaries during corner kicks.

Football Ground Dimensions

The touchline and goal line length differs, just like in every famous stadium in every country.

The width of all the lines must be uniform and not be more than 12cm. For international matches.

The Goal Area

The boundary in the goal area is necessary to protect the goalkeeper, award penalties, etc. Draw two lines at right angles straight to the goal line; make sure it is 5.5 m from each goal post. Another line is drawn parallel to the goal line, extending the goal area line to the field of play by 5.5 m.

The penalty area

Also called box 18, is where the goalkeeper can touch the ball with their hand. Committing a foul in this area against an opponent or touching the ball with your hand while not a goalkeeper will prompt the referee to award a penalty. The penalty area is that section on the football field where players are cautious the most; this area includes the goal area, the penalty mark where players take penalty kicks, and a D-shaped arc at the top of the box.

The dimension of this area goes thus; two lines come from the right angles of the goal line and 16.5 m from each goal post. These lines then join a parallel line coming with the goal line to extend this area into the field of play by 16.6 m. There is also a penalty mark drawn 11 m from the middle of the goalpost and halfway to them.

The D-shape arc outside the box is 9.15m from the middle of each penalty mark.

The Flag Post

Anywhere in the world, including India, the flag post is always 1.5 m high with a non-sharp top, and every flag post always has a flag attached to each corner. In India you can also find a flag post in India at the end of each halfway line.

The Corner Arc

Close to the flag post is a 1 m radius quarter circle; the arc is always inside the field of play.

Goalposts

• There will always be a goal at the center of each goalline
• A goal consists of two vertical lines central to the corner flag posts joined together at the top by a horizontal post. The three posts can be made of wood, metal, or other material recommended by FIFA. The posts can be rectangular, circular, or elliptical in shape and must not be harmful to the keeper or the players.
• The distance between the two vertical posts is 7.32 m, and the distance between the ground and the horizontal crossbar joining the two posts together is 2.44 m.
• A square goalpost means the sides must be parallel to the goal line, while the sides of the horizontal crossbar must be parallel to the field plane.
• Elliptical goal posts will necessitate that the longest axis is at right angles to the goal line, and the longest axis of the top horizontal post must be parallel to the field plane.
• If the vertical posts are rectangular in shape, the longest slides must be at a right angle to the goal line, while the longest side of the horizontal post must be parallel to the field plane.
• The width and depth of the crossbar and goalposts must be uniform; they must be more than 12cm.
• The goalposts and the crossbar must have the same width, and there will always be a line attached to the back of the goalposts. In some other countries, the net must be of any color, but it must be white in India.

Note that the goalposts may differ based on different age groups or team sizes. Below are the sizing;

11 A-Side Games

The 11 A-side game is for players between the age of 14 and above. The size of their goalpost must be 7.32m for the two vertical lines and 2.44m for the horizontal crossbar. This dimension is the standard for all international matches, tournaments, and leagues. For competitions involving players below the ages of 14 and 13, the dimension of the goalpost must be 6.4m for the vertical posts and 2.13m for the horizontal crossbar.

9 A-Side Games

These games are for players below ages 11 and 12, and their matches require goalposts of 16ft ✕ 7ft. The FA introduced this dimension in 2013 to serve as an intermediate between the 11 A-side and 7 A-side and to develop from one type of football game to another.

7 A-Side

The 7 A-side games are for players under age 10, 8, and 7, and the goal post dimension for their games is 3.66m ✕ 1.83m. This type of goal post is called “mini goal posts.”

5 A-side games

The 5 A-side games require “5 A-side posts” with a 3.66m ✕ 1.22m dimension or a 4.88m ✕ 1.22m dimension. These posts are used in regular indoor 5 A-side games.

Also Read: Richest football club in the world

Some Recommendations By FIFA

• The playing field for a professional level match or international and club tournaments should have a 105m ✖ 68m dimension. This dimension is the standard for FIFA World Cup final and Confederation cup matches. It must have every necessary mark.
• The dimension mentioned above is the standard, but some football fields do not use this dimension; however, they are used for different matches and have minimum and maximum dimensions according to FIFA and the India Football Association regulations.

Auxiliary Area

This is the area outside the playing fields where players warm up; it is normally beside the goal line. The auxiliary areas also accommodate the assistant referees [line men], ball boys and girls, the medical staff, securities, etc. The size of this area is mostly 8.5m on the sides and 10m on the ends, which leads to a total of 125m  ✖ 85m playing field and auxiliary area.

Length – 125m

Width – 85m

Grass Area

This area must be on the same grass level as the playing surface. It is primarily a minimum of 5m to the touchline and 5m close to the goal lines; it reduces to 3m close to the corner flag. The other parts of the auxiliary area can be of grass, concrete, or any other materials that aid the movement of an ambulance and medical staff.

The area where the players warm off must be the same turf surface as the playing field.

Football Size

The ball used in soccer matches are spherical, mainly with a 70 cm circumference. The ball weighs 15-16 ounces and is made of synthetic material. For a match involving players of ages 14 and above, the football size should be 5. The ball size used in different matches and competitions depends on the age grades of the players and the tournament they are playing. Below is a complete table of all sizes:

The official ball size for toddlers and young children between ages 6, 7, and 8 is size 3; the ball weighs 11-12 ounces with a 23-24 inches circumference. For matches involving children between ages 9 and 13, the official football size is 4; it weighs 11-13 ounces with a circumference of 25-26 inches.

For U-12, U-13, and upward, the official ball size is 5, the standard size for senior and professional tournaments.

Conclusion

Football ground measurement in India has several similarities with the dimensions of other fields worldwide. Although there are slight changes, they are not too distinctive. This article gives you an overview of a football field in India.