Boundary Lines on the Soccer Field - An Overview

Boundary lines are critical to any sport, since defining the pitch or field of play is critical to the game. Association football is no exception and Law 1 of the Laws of the Game defines the Field of Play, which includes lines and markings on the field.

One of the fundamental stipulations of Law 1 is that the field of play must be rectangular and marked with lines. Since the field must be rectangular, there must be two longer and two shorter lines. The soccer field has four major boundary lines - two goal lines and two touchlines; the touchlines are the two longer touchlines. However, other lines are critical to the field of play. These include the halfway line and boundary lines for the penalty area. No soccer game can be played properly without these.

Another stipulation of Law 1 is that the boundary lines belong to the area of which they are boundaries. Therefore, the touchlines and goal lines are part of the field of play. A ball must wholly cross the touchline or goal line to be out of play. This also means that the boundary lines for the penalty area are part of the penalty area - including the part of the goal line that bounds the area. If a player commits an offence against an opponent, that punishable by a direct free kick, in his own penalty area, the referee should award a penalty kick.

For a standard soccer field, the touchlines must be between 90 and 120 metres long, while the goal lines must be between 45 and 90 metres long. Law 1 specifies that boundary lines must be visible and all lines must be the same width (not to exceed five inches). Apart from the boundary lines being the same width, they should also be the same width of the goalposts and crossbar by extension. This is to facilitate proper judgement of whether a goal is scored or not.

Symmetry is important on the soccer field, so each half must have identical measurements. Other parts of the field demarcated by boundary lines include the centre circle and corner arcs and penalty arcs. The Laws of the Game also prohibits unauthorised markings and advertising (even virtual projections) on the field of play. Law 1 also specifies that advertising and advertising boards should remain at least one yard or metre from the boundaries once teams enter the field of play.

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An Overview of the English Premier League - What to Expect in 2009-2010

One thing we can safely predict about the upcoming English Premier league season is that it's going to be interesting; very interesting.

At both ends of the table, as well.

After all, for a start it does look as if, at last, we are going to see an end to the 'Big Four' dominance. Even the most confident of the supporters of Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal must admit that Manchester City have made some pretty good signings and are going to be very competitive this year.

And do Manchester United fans really believe deep down that they're going to be as strong this time around? Ronaldo, Tevez gone. Giggs, Scholes, Neville nearly gone. Hargreaves - who knows? No, the champions' supporters must be truly anxious - they have so much depending on Berbatov starting to justify his fee and Owen to validate his assertion that he's not injury-prone.

Everyone else must think that this season gives them a real chance to catch them up.

Having said that, though, Liverpool and Arsenal have hardly had tranquil summers, have they? Rafa Benitez has been desperately trying to hold on to his midfielders and cajole his board into giving him more money. Meanwhile Arsène Wenger has yet again been proving his genius by turning Kolo Toure's £150,000 incoming transfer fee into a £15 million outgoing one. Let alone getting even more money for Adebayor! On the other hand, he did try to bring back Viera. Did he not see him 'play' last season?

Chelsea are really the only one of the 'leading lights' to have enjoyed a settled break, so they might well be considered as bookies' favourites. They, though, have the complication of yet another new manager - and the formidable expectations of their owner to live up to. Of last year's top four clubs, Chelsea look to have the most goals in them; they just need their defence to rediscover a little of their once traditional 'meanness' and they could well win the title this year.

Manchester City, however, with their 'if it moves, sign it' policy have the chance of realistically competing at the top end of the table. Their 'spine' of the team is beginning to have a very strong appearance. Similarly, Everton and Aston Villa, so promising last year in completely differing ways, must think that if they can find a 10% improvement then the Champions' League beckons.

It does look, then, as if, for the first time in a long while, there could be six or seven teams in the shake-up for the top places. And what a refreshing change that will be. Add to that, the prospect of Spurs, West Ham, Fulham, and Blackburn, amongst others, chasing for Europa League spots at least and it all boils down to a fascinating league season.

And the other end promises to be just as competitive. Normally, of course, the pundits will automatically look at the three teams coming up from the Championship and confidently predict that at least two of them will probably go straight back again. But Birmingham and Wolves have experienced managers who know how to grind out results and players not likely to be phased by the step-up.

Not only that, but the way that Sunderland and, especially, Hull finished last season, you've got to think they'll struggle again this year. Stoke also have to survive that 'difficult second season'. It does look as if Burnley might find life tough but they do play attractive attacking football and have proved last year in cup competitions that they are quite capable of defeating Premier teams. If they can settle quickly, they might be able to surprise a few more. I hope they can - the Premier League can only be a better place with Burnley v Blackburn derby matches to spice it up!

The television experts love to keep shouting at us that the Premier League is 'the best in the world'. Certainly it's the best supported and the most watched on the box. It does show all the signs this season of being a lot more competitive as well - so it might just live up to its billing. It's certainly going to be well worth watching.

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