"The goalkeeper
is the jewel in the
crown and getting at him
should be almost
impossible.
It's the biggest sin in
football to make him do
any work."
George Graham Former
Scottish
Footballer
If you are a goal
keeper,
Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line. They
consist of two upright posts equal distance from the corner flag posts and joined at the
top by a horizontal crossbar.
The distance between the posts is 7.32m
(8yds) and the distance from the lower edge of the crossbar to the
ground is 2.44m (8ft).
Both goalposts and the crossbar have the
same width and depth which should not exceed 12cm (5ins). 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 goal. The goalposts must be painted white.
Please note the below measurements are the standard for
international goals, obviously the dimensions change
with the age and level of competition.
PLAYERS AGE
GOAL
SIZE MIN
GOAL SIZE MAX
U-6/U-7
(4.5'H X 9.0'W)
(6.5'H X 12.0'W)
U-8
(4.5'H X 9.0'W)
(6.5'H X 12.0'W)
U-9
(6.5'H X 12.0'W)
(6.5'H X 18.5'W)
U-10
(6.5'H X 18.5W)
(7.0'H X 21.0'W)
U-11
(6.5'H X 18.5W)
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
U-12
(7.0'H X 21.0'W)
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
U-13
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
INT'L
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
(8.0'H X 24.0'W)
Inside the 18 Yard Box
U11 & UP
U9-U10
U8 & Below
Goal Line Length (Max)
100 Yards
50
Yards
30
Yards
Goal Line Length (Min)
50 Yards
40
Yards
20
Yards
Penalty area Width
44 Yards
Appropriate
None
Penalty Area Depth
18 Yards
Appropriate
None
Goal Area Width
20 Yards
Appropriate
Appropriate
Goal Area Depth
6
Yards
Appropriate
Appropriate
Appropriate Ball Sizes By Age.
Age Group
Ball Size
U-6/U7
3
U-8
3
U-9
4
U-10
4
U-11
4
U-12
4
U-13
5
International
5
WHEN IS A GOAL A GOAL?
A goal
is scored when the whole of the ball passes over the goal line
between the goalposts and under the cross bar, provided that no
infringement of the Laws of the Game has been committed prior to the
team scoring the goal, (i.e. Off Sides or Penalty).
Of the four
balls in the above picture, only the ball to the far
right is considered a goal because it has crossed entirely
over the goal line.