What are the exact dimensions of an NHL goalie crease. How do the measurements of the goal crease lines and markings align with official regulations. Why is accurate knowledge of ice hockey rink markings crucial for players, officials, and enthusiasts.
The Basics of NHL Goalie Crease Dimensions
The goalie crease is a crucial area in ice hockey, serving as a protected zone for the goaltender. According to the NHL rulebook, the basic dimensions of the goal crease are as follows:
- Width: 8 feet
- Side lines length: 4.5 feet
- Semicircle radius: 6 feet
However, these seemingly straightforward measurements become more complex when considering the intricacies of line widths and exact placement.
Discrepancies in NHL Diagrams and Real-World Application
While the NHL provides diagrams for various rink markings, there are notable inconsistencies between these illustrations and the practical application of the rules. The goal crease diagram, in particular, lacks the precision found in other rink marking depictions, such as the faceoff dot and lines.
These discrepancies raise several questions about the exact implementation of crease dimensions:
- Are the red lines included within the crease measurements?
- Do the 6-foot and 8-foot marks represent the outside edge of the red line?
- Is the blue painted area considered the goal crease, with the red line outside?
The Importance of Line Placement and Measurement
Understanding the exact placement of lines is crucial for accurately marking the goalie crease. Several factors come into play:
Goal Line Positioning
The distance from the boards to the goal line is measured to the center of the goal line. This raises questions about whether measurements are taken from the front edge, back edge, or center of the 2-inch wide line.
Semicircle Radius Measurement
The 6-foot radius semicircle at the top of the crease is measured from the center of the goal line. However, it’s unclear whether this measurement is to the center, front edge, or inside edge of the 2-inch red curve.
Side Line Length Discrepancy
The 4.5-foot lines at the sides of the crease present a challenge. Achieving exactly 4.5 feet while maintaining the correct semicircle position proves difficult without adjusting the center point, which would contradict the rulebook.
Hash Marks Within the Crease
The 5-inch hash marks inside the crease, located 4 feet from the goal line, also present measurement ambiguities:
- Is the 4-foot distance measured from the back, center, or front of the goal line?
- Should the measurement be to the back, center, or front of the hash marks?
- If the crease line is straddled by the red marking, could these hash marks extend only 4 inches into the blue paint?
Implications for Players, Officials, and Game Play
The precise dimensions and placement of the goalie crease have significant implications for the game of ice hockey:
Goaltender Protection
The crease serves as a protected area for the goaltender. Accurate marking ensures fair play and proper enforcement of rules regarding goalkeeper interference.
Officiating Decisions
Referees rely on precise crease markings to make crucial calls, such as determining if a goal should be allowed or disallowed based on player positioning.
Strategic Play
Players and coaches develop strategies based on the exact dimensions of the crease, influencing positioning during power plays, penalty kills, and other key moments in the game.
Potential Solutions for Accurate Crease Marking
To address the inconsistencies and ambiguities in goalie crease dimensions, several approaches could be considered:
Standardized Measurement Protocol
Developing a clear, standardized protocol for measuring and marking the crease could eliminate confusion and ensure consistency across all NHL rinks.
Enhanced Diagrams and Documentation
Providing more detailed, to-scale diagrams in the NHL rulebook, along with comprehensive explanations of measurement techniques, would greatly assist rink managers and officials.
Technology-Assisted Marking
Implementing advanced technology, such as laser-guided marking systems, could ensure precise and consistent crease dimensions across all professional ice hockey rinks.
The Broader Context: Rink Markings Beyond the Crease
While the goalie crease presents unique challenges, it’s important to consider it within the broader context of ice hockey rink markings:
The Trapezoid
Similar questions may arise regarding the precise measurements and placement of the trapezoid behind the net, which restricts goaltender puck handling.
Faceoff Circles and Dots
The exact dimensions and placement of faceoff circles and dots are crucial for fair puck drops and proper positioning during key moments of the game.
Blue Lines and Center Red Line
The positioning of these lines affects offside calls and icing determinations, highlighting the importance of precise marking throughout the rink.
The Evolution of Ice Hockey Rink Dimensions
Understanding the current complexities of goalie crease dimensions becomes even more interesting when viewed through the lens of historical changes:
Early Ice Hockey Rinks
In the early days of organized ice hockey, rink dimensions and markings were far less standardized, often varying based on available space and local customs.
Introduction of the Goalie Crease
The concept of a designated area for the goaltender evolved over time, with various shapes and sizes being implemented before settling on the current semicircular design.
International Variations
Different hockey leagues and international governing bodies have adopted slightly different crease dimensions and marking protocols, adding another layer of complexity to the subject.
As ice hockey continues to evolve, the precise marking of the goalie crease and other rink elements remains a crucial aspect of the game. The ongoing discussion and analysis of these dimensions reflect the sport’s commitment to fairness, consistency, and the pursuit of excellence at all levels of play.
While the questions raised about exact measurements and line placements may seem nitpicky to casual observers, they highlight the attention to detail required in professional sports. Every inch can make a difference in high-stakes situations, potentially influencing the outcome of games and even championship titles.
For players, coaches, officials, and rink managers, a thorough understanding of these nuances is essential. It ensures that the playing field remains level and that the integrity of the game is maintained. As technology advances and the sport continues to refine its rules and regulations, we may see even more precise methods for marking and measuring the various elements of an ice hockey rink.
Ultimately, the ongoing discussion about goalie crease dimensions serves as a reminder of the complexity and precision inherent in professional sports. It’s a testament to the dedication of those involved in maintaining and improving the game, ensuring that ice hockey remains a thrilling and fair contest for players and fans alike.
Reddit – Dive into anything
For starters, I would like to apologize if this doesn’t really contribute well to the hockey conversation that we have on this sub.
Second, it seems like this question has a very simple answer. The NHL goal crease is 8 feet wide, with 4.5 foot long lines at the side, topped by a circle of 6 foot radius. Easy. It’s right there in the rule book:
1.7 Goal Crease / Referee Crease – The goal crease shall be laid out as follows: One foot (1′) outside of each goal post a two-inch (2”) line shall be painted extending four feet, six inches (4’6″) in length. These lines shall be at right angles to the goal line. A semi-circle line six feet (6′) in radius and two inches (2″) in width shall be drawn using the center of the goal line as the center point and connecting both ends of the side of the crease. On the side of the crease lines, four feet (4′) from the goal line, extend a five-inch (5″) line into the crease. (see diagram on page iv preceding the table of contents) The goal crease area shall include all the space outlined by the crease lines and extending vertically four feet (4′) to the level of the top of the goal frame. The area outlined by the crease line and the goal line shall be painted a light blue color. (Paint code PMS 298.)
Anyways, I’m in the early stages of a project and one of the things that I will require is an accurate schematic overlay of an NHL goal crease. I figured I could just base it off the diagram from the NHL rule book and be good to go: https://imgur.com/gallery/zgWa4Dt
Only problem is that the diagram is abysmal, not to scale, the reference lines are like half the width of the red lines, and a whole host of other questions have arisen for me. I would really appreciate it if someone here knows the exact dimensions of the NHL’s goal crease.
Just compared to the NHL’s diagram on the faceoff dot and lines, it really shows just how inaccurate their crease diagram is. https://imgur.com/gallery/LjOvVec Notice how they account for the line widths, unlike the goal crease.
So some of the questions that I have are based on the NHL saying that, “the goal crease area shall include all the space outlined by the crease lines.
” So does this mean that the red line is included within the goal crease measurements and that the 6 feet and 8 feet marks are the outside edge of the red line? Or does this mean that the blue painted area is the goal crease and the red line is outside of the crease? Option A: https://imgur.com/gallery/dLl66l8 Option B: https://imgur.com/gallery/c0pEsMD
Another question is that the distance from the boards to the goal line (which is 11 feet) is measured to the center of the goal line. The 6 foot radius circle at the top of the crease is also measured from the center of the goal line. Does this mean that the center of the goal line is 1 inch into the 2 inch wide line itself? Or does this imply just the center of either the front edge or the back edge of the goal line? And is the 6 foot radius to the center, the front edge, or the inside edge of the 2 inch red curve at the top of the crease?
Could this also mean that other measurements are made on the center of lines, and thus the 2 inch line straddles the crease outline? Something along they lines of: https://imgur.
com/gallery/L8lE15n
So another issue that arises, is that the 4.5 feet lines at the side of the crease never end up being exactly 4.5 feet unless we move the center of the circle for the top of the crease off of the goal line, which would be wrong according to the rule book. So I’m not really sure what the deal exactly is here.
Also for the little 5 inch marks within the crease that are 4 feet from the goal line, is that 4 feet measured from the back, center or front of the goal line and is it measured to the back, center or front of the marks? Also, if the option where the crease is measured and then the red line straddles that line, could these hash marks be measured from that center and only extend into the blue paint by 4 inches. That seems unlikely but I’m just spit balling all my options here.
I haven’t really gotten to this stage, but I bet I might have some similar questions regarding the trapezoid since those lines are also depicted on the NHL’s diagram of the crease.
I could see how these small details are very easily overlooked, but I would really appreciate it if anyone has some information that could lead me in the right direction.
Thanks!
Rule 103 | Division of Ice Surface
Current Section
- Rink
- Division of Ice Surface
- Casebook
Rule 103 | Division of Ice Surface
(a) A “GOAL LINE,” shall be placed eleven feet (11’) from the inside facing of the end boards. The goal lines shall be parallel to the end boards and extend across the width of the ice and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards. The goal lines shall be red in color, and two inches
(2”) wide.
Optional cross-ice goal lines may be placed in each of the three zones for cross-ice hockey play. These goal lines shall be placed at the center point of each zone, parallel to the side boards, and shall not interfere with other ice hockey markings.
(b) A “GOAL CREASE” area shall be marked out at the center point of each goal line. The goal crease areas shall be outlined by a two inch (2”) wide, red in color, semi-circle line. The radius of the semi-circle shall be six feet (6’), and measured from the back of the goal line.
Additionally, two (2) lines, two inches (2”) wide and red in color shall be marked four feet (4’) on both sides of the center of the goal line, extending from the goal line to the edge of the semi-circle line. These lines shall be
perpendicular to the goal line and the area inside these lines shall be marked light blue in color. The area outside of these lines and the space enclosed by the goal line and the base of the goal frame, shall be white in color.
Optional cross-ice goal crease areas may be marked in front of each cross-ice goal line for cross-ice hockey. These creases shall not interfere with other ice hockey markings.
(c) The ice surface between the two (2) goal lines shall be divided into three (3) areas by lines, known as the “BLUE LINES.
” The blue lines shall be twelve inches (12”) wide and dark blue in color. The neutral zone side of the blue lines shall be sixty-four feet (64’) from the back of the goal lines. The blue lines shall extend across the width of the rink, parallel with the goal lines and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards.
These three areas shall be identified as the “DEFENDING ZONE” (the area in which the goal each team defends is placed), the “NEUTRAL ZONE” (the center area between the blue lines) and the “ATTACKING ZONE” (the area farthest from the defending goal). The blue line shall be
considered part of the zone that the puck is in.
(d) The ice surface shall be divided exactly in half by a line, known as the “CENTER LINE.” The center line shall be twelve inches (12”) wide and red in color. The center line shall extend across the width of the rink, parallel with the blue lines and goal lines, and extend vertically up the entire height of the side boards.
The center line shall not be interrupted by the face-off circle, or in-ice logos.
what is the length and area of the football field
Oleg Klopsky
Author
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To play football it is important to understand what the size of the football field should be. Let football be considered one of the most democratic and low investment sports. The most important thing is the presence of the ball, the goal can be built from improvised means, and you can play on any court with any surface. But at the professional level, very clear and high requirements. They concern the rules of the game, team equipment, refereeing of matches and, of course, the football field.
Contents
- Football pitch requirements
- Football field markings
- Center
- Goalkeeper area
- Penal area
- Corner sectors
- Football goals
The first football field marking requirements were established in England in 1863.
Designed by Ebenzer Morley. The requirements were minimal at first, but improved over time. The now known football field with markings appeared only at 1930s of the last century.
Requirements for the size of the football field
The rules of the game of football do not stipulate the dimensions of the football field that are clear up to a centimeter, they can be different. Field of standard sizes:
- 90 – 120 meters length
- 45 – 90 meters width
If you take the smallest and the most maximum sizes, then playing them is a big difference. Tactics for the match, and the development of attacks, defensive actions, etc. will differ from this. Therefore, for international matches, the size requirements are clearer:
- 100 – 110 meters length
- 64 – 73.2 meters wide
There are also FIFA recommendations. They already have averaged parameters: length 105 meters, width 68 meters. According to these parameters, the area of the football field is 7140 square meters.
Many are surprised by the size indicating tenths of a meter. The fact is that the rules were written in England, where the system of measures is British, respectively, the dimensions are indicated there in yards. FIFA continues to follow the tradition, but uses the metric system for convenience.
The football field is not limited to the above dimensions. It must include space beyond. FIFA recommends a distance of at least one and a half meters for the zone of outs and runs around the entire perimeter of the football field. In addition, there are warm-up zones, coaching benches. However, these recommendations are not always followed. In the same England there are stadiums where the stands are a couple of meters from the football field.
Read also: All world football champions by 9 years0056
Football field markings
All football field markings are applied in white, the width of the lines does not exceed twelve centimeters. It is important to remember that the markings are part of the football field.
The ball is in play if its projection does not go beyond the touchline or goal line.
Center
Opponents put the ball into play from the center of the field before the start of any half or after a goal has been scored. The middle line in width divides the field into two equal parts. A mark with a diameter of thirty centimeters is applied right in the center of the line, it is from it that the ball is put into play. From this mark within a radius of 9, 15 meters a circle is applied. It has a functional purpose – only players of the team that owns the ball can be inside this circle.
Goalkeeper’s area
From the goalkeeper’s area, the players of one of the teams start their attack by hitting the ball from any of its points. Within this zone, attacking players are not allowed to interfere with the goalkeeper. Any such action is considered a violation of the rules. Five meters 50 centimeters are counted from the goalposts on both sides, then two lines of the same length are drawn towards the center of the field and connected to each other.
Penalty area
The goalkeeper within the limits has the right to play with his hands, and any violation of the rules by the defending team is punished with a kick from eleven meters (penalty), or in rare cases with a free kick. The marking is applied according to the same principle as in the previous case, but the distance from the goalposts and then towards the center of the field is 16 meters 50 centimeters. A penalty kick is kicked from the mark in the center of the penalty area, it is applied at a distance of eleven meters from the center of the goalkeeper’s line.
A circle is drawn outside the penalty area at a distance of nine meters 15 centimeters from the penalty mark. When a penalty is taken, all players, except the kicker, must be located outside the penalty area and this line.
Corner sectors
In each of the four corners of the field, a circle line with a radius of one meter is drawn, this is the sector for the corner kick by attacking players.
The ball at the moment of impact must be located in the area of this sector and not go beyond the arc line with its projection. At a distance of nine meters 15 centimeters from the corners of the field, a mark may be applied on the end line. Defending players during the execution of a corner kick must be outside it. At the corners of the field set flags on the racks.
Football goals
The object of the game is to score a goal against the opposing team. The gates are set in the center of each front line, their width is seven meters 32 centimeters, and the height is two meters 44 centimeters. The width of the uprights and the crossbar should not exceed twelve centimeters, like any marking line.
Football field dimensions in meters according to FIFA rules
Home / Informative / Football field dimensions in meters according to FIFA rules
02/28/2018
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A football field is a rectangular grassy area with a certain size.
To date, there is no officially established size for a football field, there are only boundary indicators regarding the maximum and minimum length and width.
FIFA standard football field dimensions
For national level matches:
- Length: minimum 90, maximum 120 meters;
- Width: minimum 45, maximum 90 meters.
For international matches, the size of the field is more strictly limited:
- Length: minimum 100, maximum 110 meters;
- Width: minimum 64, maximum 75 meters.
In March 2008, the IFAB (International Football Association Board) tried to establish a uniform size of football pitches for international matches (105 by 68 meters – 71.4 acres, 7140 m 2 , 0.714 in hectares). Most of the world’s stadiums were suitable for such sizes, but the organization could not establish an exact uniform size for the football field.
Did you know that there are 5 sizes of soccer balls.
Interesting. According to FIFA rules, outside the field, the grass surface must extend 5 meters. However, most stadiums ignore this requirement. This is due to the fact that it is expensive for many teams to maintain such a turf area from a financial point of view. In England, many stadiums are built so that the stands are as close to the field as possible, almost at a distance of 2 meters from the lines.
Field markings
The length of all lines in big football is 12 cm. The middle line divides the court in half, and a circle with a diameter of 18.3 m is drawn in its middle. A dot with a diameter of 30 cm is drawn in the middle of the circle, which is the center of the field.
In each of the four corners of the field, a mark is drawn in the form of an arc with a radius of 1 m. From this point, a corner kick is executed. At the very corners of the field marking, columns with a flag are placed, with a height of at least 1.
5 m.
An interesting fact. Since the 2016/17 season, the IFAB has allowed the use of club and federation logos on flags.
Goalkeeper’s area
5.5 meters are counted from the goal of each of the posts to the side, then two lines of 5.5 m are drawn towards the center of the field, and their end points are connected by a line drawn parallel to the goal line.
Penal area
The boundaries of the penalty area are made according to the same principle as with the goalkeeper’s area, only the distance from the goal posts will be 16.5 meters. Within each penalty area, a dot is drawn at a distance of 11 meters from the midpoint line of the goal line. From this place in football, a penalty shootout breaks through. Outside the penalty area, an arc is marked with a circle radius of 9m. 15 cm. This arc is counted from the 11-meter mark.
What size football fields do teams prefer?
The length and width of the football field, in many cases, depends on the tactics of the team.
Teams that like to attack, especially to carry out positional offensives, prefer long and wide fields. Playing on fields with large areas is not easy, especially from a physical point of view. Football players must have good endurance, as in 90 minutes of the match they will have to overcome long distances.
We recommend reading the article: How many kilometers does a footballer run in a match?
Small fields are most often used by clubs that are more focused on defending their own goals and act on counterattacks. When the field is narrow, the defense can be built very tightly, thereby minimizing the amount of space that opposing attackers can get through.
An interesting case
In the 2015-2016 UEFA Champions League season at the 1/4 final stage, Real Madrid lost in the first game to the German Wolfsburg on their field with a score of 2:0. The coaching staff of the Spanish club approached the return match tactically competently, having decided to expand the field of the Santiago Bernabeu home stadium.
