by Scott Gittens

Created on: October 19, 2009

The size of a regulation competition soccer goal can be easily remembered by the number eight. Each goal is specified by the FIFA Laws of the Game to be exactly eight yards (24 feet) in width and eight feet from the ground to the bottom of the crossbar.

Furthermore, the Laws of the Game specify that goals may be made of wood or metal and leaves room for other approved materials (plastic perhaps?). Also, the posts can be circular, rectangular, elliptical, or square. The goalposts and crossbar must be uniform in width and must measure less than five inches in width. Finally, the posts must be white in color.

In order to visualize these dimensions, consider:

Most residential ceilings are eight feet tall

Two car garages (not the door, but the actual garages) are about 24 feet wide

Now that the exact dimensions of the goal have been discussed, the history of these dimensions should be hypothesized. The rules of soccer were drawn up as the game of "football" was branching from what has become rugby. By today's standards, rugby uprights are about eighteen feet across and ten feet tall. While this offers some room for debate, it remains feasible that the original setting for soccer goals was based on the goalposts that were already set for the elitist rugby clubs of the late 1800's. It can be easily imagined that what may have acted as a rugby grounds on Friday afternoon doubled as a soccer pitch on Saturday morning.

Whether the dimensions were drawn from a similar dimension in another sport or the lawmakers were more trivial in picking, eight feet by eight yards has proved the proper size for competitive matches at all levels.

Consider the average goalie as being six feet tall. With arms extended, this goalie has a span approaching eight feet. Thus, most goalies can stand flat-footed and cover the height of the goal. Also meaning, the goalie would need to lay down three lengths to cover the goal. What is the result of these algebraic equations with regard to the game? The area that the goal covers poses a challenge for even the best goalkeepers to cover, while at the same time proving a difficulty for the most skilled players in the world to penetrate.

In essence, the goal provides the perfect dimensions for both aspects of play when players are evenly matched. Field players are challenged by the small surface area presented by the goal while goalkeepers are simultaneously challenged by the large area offered.

http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/affederation/federat ion/81/42/36/lawsofthegameen.pdf

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