Field Diagram
replace this page with the diagram of the field markings
Notes for groundsmen
These notes accompany the field diagram as a summary of
requirements for the marking of the field.
For full details see Rule 1-2.
-
There is no such thing as a metric American football field.
All measurements are in yards, feet and inches.
-
A full sized field is 360ft long and 160ft wide, consisting of two 10yd
end zones and twenty 5yd grid segments.
If there is insufficient length, it may be shortened to 330ft by
taking two 5yd segments out of the middle (i.e. the 45yd line thus
becomes the half-way line).
If absolutely necessary, a further 18ft may be saved by reducing the
size of both end zones to the minimum allowed 7yds.
A legal field cannot therefore be marked if there is less than 104yds
(312ft) between the goal posts.
-
Note that the width of the field is significantly less than for sports
such as soccer, rugby or hockey and that it cannot be varied.
-
Measurements are made from the inside edge of the boundary lines.
The entire width of the goal line shall be in the end zone.
-
Yard lines across the field at 5yd intervals between the goal lines
(i.e. NOT in the end zones) are essential: they are relied upon for
accurate measurement of the distance the ball is advanced.
-
The inbounds lines are 60ft from each sideline.
(N.B. Some field diagrams show these to be 53ft 4in or 70ft 9in from
the sidelines -- those are not correct for
British/international
games.)
They are not actually lines but rather a series of "hashmarks" at 3ft
intervals.
Each hashmark should be 2ft long (i.e. from a point 60ft
from the sideline to a point 58ft from the sideline) on each
side of the field.
The hashmarks do NOT extend into the end zones.
-
Similar 2ft long lines should be marked starting 4in inside each
sideline (between the goal lines).
These should line up with the hashmarks in the middle of the field to
give a series of consistent reference points for aligning the ball.
-
There must either be numbers or marks 27ft from each sideline on every
10yd line (but not the 5yd lines).
If numbers then it is the
top
of each number that is 27ft from the sideline.
The proper size of the numbers is 6ft x 4ft but they can be smaller if
necessary.
If not numbers, a 1ft long mark should be made 27ft in from each
sideline on each 10yd line.
-
There should be two (adjacent) boxes drawn outside each sideline,
stretching from a point 25yds from each goal line.
These boxes are shorter if segments are taken out of the middle of the
field since the two end points of them are fixed in relation to the goal
lines.
Stretching from 6ft to 12ft outside the sideline is the
coaching box.
Stretching from 12ft as far as there is room for it is the
team area.
These are the areas in which coaches and substitutes must stay
during play.
-
Outside the sidelines and end lines, there should be a set of dashed
limit lines drawn, if possible, 12ft away from the field of play.
This marks the boundary of the field, and all spectators,
photographers, cheerleaders, etc. should be outside it.
-
If spectators are not confined to a particular area (e.g. the stands),
then for reasons of safety there should be a rope or something similar
that keeps them well behind the limit lines.
-
For safety reasons goal posts may not be inside the field.
They must be on the end lines or, failing that, outside them.
If the goal posts cannot be moved, the length of the field must be
reduced.
-
The top of the crossbar should be 10ft from the ground.
The uprights should be 18ft 6in between the insides of the uprights.
The uprights should be at least 30ft high.
(N.B. A standard rugby goal that has a 3m crossbar and uprights 5.6m
apart is acceptable.)
The posts must be padded with resilient material from the ground to
a height of at least 6ft.
-
Soft flexible four-sided pylons 4in x 4in with an overall height of 18
inches, which may include a 2in space between the bottom of the pylon
and the ground, are recommended.
They should be red or orange in colour and placed at the inside corners
of the eight intersections of the sidelines with the goal lines and end
lines.
The pylons marking the intersections of the end lines and inbounds lines
extended should be placed 3ft outside the end lines.
-
All field dimension lines should be 4in in width with a white non-toxic
material (Exception: sidelines and end lines may exceed 4in).
If white is unsuitable, choose another contrasting colour.
-
Advertising or decorative markings on the field are permissible.
In the end zone, they must not be closer than 4ft to any line unless in
a contrasting colour.
In the field of play, they must not obliterate any line.
Next chapter
Back to index
Editor: Jim Briggs, BAFA/BAFRA Rules Committee
rules@britishamericanfootball.org