Hakeim McKenzie
Technical Description: Regulation Football
Field in the USA
The game of American football takes
its roots from soccer and rugby. Adopting
some of their rules and regulations to help
form the football field we know today. Walter
Camp, one of the original innovators of the
regulation football field, establishes the rules of football in 1870 - 1881. Camp, in 1881,
ultimately decided upon the constantly changing size of the football field by reducing its modern
dimensions to 120 by 531 ⁄3 yards (109.7 by 48.8 meters). Before this time it resembled a rugby
field with soccer lines.
The field is rectangular with a length of 360ft and a width of 160ft that is the total
perimeter of the field that is also referred to as the Gridiron. (“NFL Football Field,” 2014) I will
illustrate, and explain the dimensions of the football field and the rules that they entail. The field
rules apply to all American football fields around the United States and countries that play the
sport around the world.
The game was originally played on grass fields but has evolved with technological help
to an artificial grass and rubber composite over a uniform concrete slab. These changes came
about due to the expense of upkeep and maintenance of grass fields, and there was no uniform
grass that was to be used for the field. Led to teams having different types of grass that could
lead to an unfair advantage over other teams. As the game continues to evolve, so does its rules
and regulations making the game safe and exciting.
In 1920, the American Football League combined with other football clubs joined up
together to create the NFL. With the induction of the NFL, the football field rules were
established also and have not changes with the exception to minor additions to enhance the
game. And separate it from high school and college football.
In 1974 the goal posts were moved from
the goal line, where they had been since
the first rule changes in 1933, to the back
of the end zone.
Added in the 1920’s, hash marks were
created to differentiate from collegiate
football.
NFL Hash marks are the narrowest of
all the levels of football play. They
measure 70 feet, 9 inches from the
sidelines and are 18 feet, 6 inches
wide. (same as the width of the goal
posts)
The American Football playing fields share the same overall outside dimensions. The
outside measurements below include the End Zone. High School, College and the NFL all have
overall outside dimensions of:
Length: 360 feet or 120 yards
Width: 160 feet or 53 1/3 yards (“NFL Football Field,” 2014)
Football Field Dimensions
A End Zone:
NFL end zones are 10 yards deep. This measurement is shared by all levels of American
Football.
B End Line:
A six foot end line border marks the back of the end zone.
C 50 yard line:
Marks the middle of the field.
D Side lines:
(100 yards each, run parallel to the length of the field)
E Field Numbers:
Labeled and listed using increments of 10 yards, this being the distance from that number to its
closest end zone: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, and 10 yards.
F Goal Posts:
The horizontal bar is 18 feet long.
The base bar is 6 inches in diameter, standing 10 feet high.
High School: Goal posts by contrast are 10 feet high and 23 feet, 4 inches wide.
The National Football League rule book for the field are as follows:
1. Sidelines and end lines are out of bounds. The goal line is actually in the end zone. A
player with the ball in his possession scores a touchdown when the ball is on, above, or
over the goal line.
2. The field is rimmed by a white border, six feet wide, along the sidelines. All of this is out
of bounds.
3. The hash marks (inbound lines) are 70 feet, 9 inches from each sideline.
4. Goal posts must be single-standard type, offset from the end line and painted bright gold.
The goal posts must be 18 feet, 6 inches wide and the top face of the crossbar must be 10
feet above the ground. Vertical posts extend at least 30 feet above the crossbar. A ribbon
4 inches by 42 inches long is to be attached to the top of each post. The actual goal is the
plane extending indefinitely above the crossbar and between the outer edges of the posts.
5. The field is 360 feet long and 160 feet wide. The end zones are 30 feet deep. The line
used in try-for-point plays is two yards out from the goal line.
6. Chain crew members and ball boys must be uniformly identifiable.
7. All clubs must use standardized sideline markers. Pylons must be used for goal line and
end line markings.
8. End zone markings and club identification at 50 yard line must be approved by the
Commissioner to avoid any confusion as to delineation of goal lines, sidelines, and end
lines. (“Rule Book,” 2014)
Field of Play
The playing field consists of two varieties, grass and turf fields. The field is also flat. The
proper drainage and irrigation is needed in order to maintain a functional field. All lines and field
markings must be painted white. The grass must be green. This is the basic field. (Stamp, 2012)
FieldTurf assembly: 1) polymer fibers 2) high-grade rubber and sand infill 3) binding mat
(image: FieldTurf marketing brochure)
The new turf is made from more grass-like polymer fibers designed for durability and
traction – each “row” of fibers matches the average width of a football cleat. These fibers are
surrounded with a mix of high-grade rubber and sand particles to provide cushioning for players
and make it easier for sharp cuts. Finally, a porous mat binds the turf to the ground and allows
for draining. (Stamp, 2012)
This fieldTurf technology is highly popular but does have its drawbacks. The cost of the
fields, preparation included, can cost up to $770,000. (“Cost Analysis,” 2014) This can effect a
school districts budget, impact the communities by taking up space that could possibly be used
for a parks and recreation, for a cheaper price. People in less fortunate or poverty stricken
communities or school districts will eventually feel worse about the deposition of their field.
Major
ethical
concern
Works Cited
FieldTurf: A Tarkett Sports Company. (2014). Cost Analysis. Retrieved from FieldTurf.com
website: http://fieldturf.com/en/fieldturf-difference/cost-analysis.
NFL Rules Digest: Field. (2014). Rule Book: Digest of Rules, Field. Retrieved from NFL.com
website: http://www.nfl.com/rulebook/field.
“Professional (NFL) Football Field Dimension Diagram”. NFL Football Field Dimensions,
Diagrams, Size, Measurements-SportsKnowHow.com. Internet Marketing Unlimited,
Corp., n.d. 22 Sept., 2014. http://www.SportsKnowHow.com/football/fielddimensions.htp
Stamp, Jimmy. (2012, September 24). How the Football Field Was Designed, from Hash Marks
to Goal Post. Retrieved from Smithsonian.com website: http://smithsonianmag.com?artsculture/how-the- football- field-was-designed-from-hash-marks-to-goal-posts48192086/