The Field#

RULE 1-A THE ALTERNATIVE FIELD

Where it is not possible to draw a 6 or 12 feet wide border, or where the available width does not permit 30 feet wide bench areas, a team may also use alternative field marking in accordance with rule A Rule 1-A. Using alternative field markings or amendments to the field requires approval by the League. All lines must be 4 inches wide white lines. The dashed lines shall be 12 feet from, but parallel to, the sidelines.

Section 1 — Dimensions#

Article 1 — Playing Lines#

The game shall be played upon a rectangular field, 120 yards (109,73 m) in length and 160 feet (48,77 m) in width. The lines at each end of the field are termed end lines. Those on each side are termed sidelines. Goal lines shall be established in the field 10 yards from and parallel to each end line. The area bounded by goal lines and sidelines is known as the field of play. The surface of the entire field of play must be a League-approved shade of green. The areas bounded by goal lines, end lines, and sidelines are known as the end zones.

The areas bounded by goal lines and lines parallel to, and 70 feet 9 inches (21,56 m) inbounds, from each sideline, are known as the side zones. The lines parallel to sidelines are termed inbound lines. The end lines and the sidelines are also termed boundary lines.

Article 2 — Field#

The field includes the field of play and the end zones. The field will be rimmed by a solid white border a minimum of 6 feet (1,83 m) wide along the end lines and sidelines. (OPTIONAL: An additional broken limit line 6 feet (1,83 m) further outside this border is to encompass the field in the non-bench areas, and such broken line will be continued at an angle from each 25-yard line and pass behind the bench areas.) All benches must be a minimum of 30 feet (9,14 m) back from the sidelines. In addition, within each bench area, a line 6 feet (1,83 m) behind the solid white border will delineate a special area for coaches, behind which all players, except one player charting the game, must remain. There is no requirement that the broken restraining line also be added in the non-bench areas. However, the appropriate line described above must be clearly marked within the bench areas.

Section 2 — Markings#

Article 1 — Yard Line Markings#

At intervals of 5 yards (4,57 m), yard lines (3-11-9) parallel to the goal lines shall be marked in the field of play. These lines are to stop 8 inches (0,2 m) short of the 6-foot solid border. The 4-inch (0,1 m) wide yard lines are to be extended 4 inches (0,1 m) beyond the white 6-foot border along the sidelines. Each of these lines shall be intersected at right angles by short lines 70 feet, 9 inches long (23 yards, 1 foot, 9 inches or 21,56 m) in from each side to indicate inbound lines.

Article 2 — Inbounds Lines and Yard Markers#

Item 1. Inbounds Lines. The inbounds lines are hash marks on the field of play that are 70 feet, 9 inches (21.56 m) from and parallel to each sideline and intersect each yard line marking at right angles.

**Item 2. Yard Markers. **In line with the inbounds lines there shall be hash marks at 1-yard intervals between each distance of 5 yards for the full length of the field. There shall be corresponding hash marks at 1-yard intervals on each side of the field that are to begin 8 inches from the 6-foot solid border and are to measure 2 feet in length.

Article 3 — Goal Line#

All measurements are to be made from the inside edges of the line marking the boundary lines. Each goal line marking is to be in its end zone so that the edge of the line toward the field of play (actual goal line) is 10 yards (9,14 m) from the inside edge of the end line. Each goal line is to be 8 inches (0,82 m) wide.

All lines are to be marked with a material that is not injurious to eyes or skin. It is desirable that the yard line markers be flexible in order to prevent injury. No benches or rigid fixtures should be nearer than 10 yards from sidelines.

Article 4 — Additional Field Markings and Requirements#

Item 1. Field Numerals. Bottoms of numbers indicating yard lines in multiples of 10 must be placed beginning 12 yards in from each sideline. Each numeral must be in white and measure 2 yards in length.

Item 2. Other Requirements. Two yards from the middle of each goal line and parallel to it, there shall be marked in the field of play, lines 1 yard in length.

All boundary lines, goal lines, and line markings are to be continuous lines. These, and any other specified markings, must be in white, and there shall be no exceptions without the authorization of the League.

Care must be exercised in any end zone marking or decoration or club identification at the 50-yard line that said marking or decorations do not in any way cause confusion as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, end lines, or other field markings. Such markings or decorations must be approved by the League.

All lines are to be marked with a material that is not injurious to eyes or skin. It is desirable that the yard line markers be flexible in order to prevent injury. No benches or rigid fixtures should be nearer than 30 feet (9 m) from sidelines.

ALTERNATIVE DIMENSIONS AND MARKINGS (1-A)

Upon request, the League may, at its sole discretion, grant exceptions to the required field dimensions and markings. The League may also authorize the use of the alternative dimensions and markings set out in the illustration above, which shall generally comply with the following specifications: The total available length between the two goal posts shall be divided into 120 equal parts, abbreviated as "yards" in Sections 1 and 2, where they are not converted to the metric system. The minimum length of a "yard" must be 0,8 m, which corresponds to a minimum length of the playing field of 96 m. Accordingly, the 10 yards chain must be 1/12 of the total available length and the effective length of the penalties must be adjusted to the corresponding length of the 10 yards chain. In any case, the width of the playing field must be laid out according to the given dimensions in Rule 1.

Section 3 — Goal#

Article 1 — Crossbar#

In the plane of each end line, there shall be a centrally placed horizontal crossbar 18 feet, 6 inches (5,64 m) in length, the top face of which is 10 feet (3,05 m) above the ground. The goal is the vertical plane extending indefinitely above the crossbar and between the lines indicated by the outer edges of the goal posts.

Article 2 — Goal Posts#

All goal posts will be the single-standard type, offset from the end line and bright gold in color. The uprights will extend no less than 20 feet (6,1 m) and no more than 35 feet (10,67 m) above the crossbar and will be no less than 3 inches and no more than 4 inches in diameter. An orange-colored ribbon 4 inches by 42 inches is to be attached to the top of each post.

Note: Goal posts must be padded to a height of 6 feet (1,83 m) with foam at least 4 inches (10,16 cm) thick.

Section 4 — Players’ Benches#

At the option of the home team, both of the players’ benches may be located on the same side of the field. In such a case, the end of each team area shall start at the 45-yard line and continue towards the adjacent goal line.

Section 5 — Chain Crew and Ball Personnel#

Members of the chain crew and the ball personnel must be uniformly identifiable as specified by the League.

Section 6 — Sideline Markers#

The home club must provide and use a set of sideline markers that have been approved by the League.