Before I pass comments on pitch markings can I say how well all the pitches look on the TV especially Man City today, they are a credit to all involved.
Once again this season grounds managers are putting marks off the touchline 9.15m from the corner arc. The marks placed at this distance on the goal line are ok as it is stated in the laws. Law 1, Decision of the International FA Board, Decision 6 states “ A mark may be made off the field of play, 9.15m (10 yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal line, to ensure that this distance is observed when a corner kick is being taken”
You will see from the law there is no mention of placing a mark of the touch line. Why then is it seen on all pitches these days? Come on lets get our pitch markings spot on…….any comments.
agrostis,
are you an official??
what a petty post.
The 10 Yard mark is placed to HELP the Ref and assistants ensure the distance of the opposition from a corner is given........ says it all really...
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
rooter - you might think it's petty, but I know in my sport (cricket) if you get the pitch markings wrong then it can cost you points. I'm sure that the various team managers would think far more of it than pettiness if it cost their team points.
It could be a local rule (ie UK FA) that the markings should be used.
I'd be surprised if there wasn't a rule written somewhere - groundsmen don't decide to put extra markings in for the fun of it.
Of course there's no bounce, bend your back and put some bloody effort in.
17 Sep 2007 by Barry Pace Last edited 17 Sep 2007
To help clear this here are THE LAWs regarding FA associated/sanctioned football ~ see decision 6:
Laws of the Game - The Field of Play
Field surface
Matches may be played on natural or artifi cial surfaces, according to the rules of the competition.
Dimensions
The field of play must be rectangular. The length of the touch line must be greater than the length of the goal line.
Length: minimum 90 m (100 yds) maximum 120 m (130 yds)
Width: minimum 45 m (50 yds) maximum 90 m (100 yds)
International Matches
Length: minimum 100 m (110 yds) maximum 110 m (120 yds)
Width: minimum 64 m (70 yds) maximum 75 m (80 yds)
Field Markings
The field of play is marked with lines. These lines belong to the areas of which they are boundaries.
The two longer boundary lines are called touch lines. The two shorter lines are called goal lines.
All lines are not more than 12 cm (5 ins) wide.
The field of play is divided into two halves by a halfway line.
The centre mark is indicated at the midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) is marked around it.
The Goal Area
A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost.
These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 5.5 m (6 yds) 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.
The Penalty Area
A penalty area is defi ned at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 16.5 m (18 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of 16.5 m (18 yds) 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 11 m (12 yds) from the midpoint between the goalposts and equidistant to them. An arc of a circle with a radius of 9.15 m (10 yds) from each penalty mark is drawn outside the penalty area.
Flagposts
A fl agpost, not less than 1.5 m (5 ft) high, with a non-pointed top and a fl ag is placed at each corner.
Flagposts may also be placed at each end of the halfway line, not less than 1 m (1 yd) outside the touch line.
The Corner Arc
A quarter circle with a radius of 1 m (1 yd) from each corner flagpost is drawn inside the field of play.
Goals
Goals must be placed on the centre of each goal line. They consist of two upright posts equidistant from the corner fl agposts and joined at the top by a horizontal crossbar.
The distance between the posts is 7.32 m (8 yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the ground is 2.44 m (8 ft). Both goalposts and the crossbar have the same width and depth, which do not exceed 12 cm (5 ins).
The goal lines are the same width as that of the goalposts and the crossbar. Nets may be attached to the goals and the ground behind the goal, provided that they are properly supported and do not interfere with the goalkeeper.
The goalposts and crossbars must be white.
Safety
Goals must be anchored securely to the ground. Portable goals may only be used if they satisfy this requirement.
Decisions of the International FA Board
Decision 1
If the crossbar becomes displaced or broken, play is stopped until it has been repaired or replaced in position. If a repair is not possible, the match is abandoned. The use of a rope to replace the crossbar is not permitted. If the crossbar can be repaired, the match is restarted with a dropped ball at the place where the ball was located when play was stopped.
Decision 2
Goalposts and crossbars must be made of wood, metal or other approved material. Their shape may be square, rectangular, round or elliptical and they must not be dangerous to players.
Decision 3
No kind of commercial advertising, whether real or virtual, is permitted on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) from the time the teams enter the field of play until they have left it at half-time and from the time the teams re-enter the field of play until the end of the match. In particular, no advertising material of any kind may be displayed on goals, nets, fl agposts or their fl ags. No extraneous equipment (cameras, microphones, etc.) may be attached to these items.
Decision 4
There shall be no advertising of any kind within the technical area or within one metre from the touch line and outside the field of play on the ground. Further, no advertising shall be allowed in the area between the goal line and the goal nets.
Decision 5
The reproduction, whether real or virtual, of representative logos or emblems of FIFA, confederations, member associations, leagues, clubs or other bodies, is forbidden on the field of play and field equipment (including the goal nets and the areas they enclose) during playing time, as described in Decision 3.
Decision 6
A mark may be made off the field of play, 9.15 metres (10 yds) from the corner arc and at right angles to the goal lines, to ensure that this distance is observed when a corner kick is being taken.
Decision 7
Where artifi cial surfaces are used in either competition matches between representative teams of member associations affi liated to FIFA or international club competition matches, the surface must meet the requirements of the FIFA Quality Concept for Artifi cial Turf or the International Artifi cial Turf Standard, unless special dispensation is given by FIFA.
Decision 8
Where a technical area exists, it must meet the requirements approved by the International F.A. Board, which are contained in this publication.
A mark on the Touch Line was (as far as I am aware) noted within the rules a number of years ago and its use is for the benefit of the Referee and Assistants.
Barry
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
Hi all and thanks for the comments. It may be a petty post and grounds staff may think they are helping the officials, but as yet I am still waiting to see a defender stand on the touchline 10 yards from ball at a corner. I think his manager may have a few words if he did. In Barry’s reply he quoted the full law and as you can see there is no mention of the touchline, it may have been in the laws a number of years ago but not to my knowledge. If it had I would have placed the mark on my pitches but never have. So come on who is going to be the first to stop these unauthorised marking.
Arent the 2 marks ( on the touch line & goal line) used to define an imaginary arc that " ghosts" the D in the corner, hence giving the ref a visual " 10yd " mark?? it does seem a bit daft if 1 mark is legal, and yet 1 mark is not neccessary or legal, but as either mark does not touch the goal or touch line, are they "technically " in play, and therefore subject to the rules of the game????
I agree it is daft but if the laws state place a mark on the goal line then we should just mark it on the goal. I am sure we would all like to put some marks on the top of the Pen; or goal area to stop the goalkeeper marking the pitch but we don't because the laws don't let us.
The mark is "optional" and is put there to assist the ref and his touchline official. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
Regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
Yes I agree the mark is optional on the goal line but only the goal line, not the touchline where you see it on every pitch on TV up and down the country.
18 Sep 2007 by Barry Pace Last edited 18 Sep 2007
Well as a Ref I like to see the mark because it helps ..... and know that level 1-4 refs are heavily scrutinised by the FA (ones most likely to officiate televised games) and if it was not acceptable it would be picked up straight away under the pitch inspection. It is there cos it is useful.
Plastic.... it's The End I tell you... THE END!!!!
"optional" adj possible but not compulsory; open to choice - Collins paperback dictionary 2002
Regards
Steve
Don't talk to me about Contractors Wonka, I am one myself......
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