Soccer is mostly known as a fun sport kids and adults play in their free time, however, it can also

relate to geometry. A soccer field is a very important part of the game. It has all the dimensions and measurements that are needed for a game to be played. In the sport soccer, there is so much more importance of the game than people having fun, it can also relate to math. Without the geometry of soccer, the game would not exist in todays current form. The history behind the soccer field only begins in ancient times. In B.C.E., the game was very common in lots of different countries such as China, Japan, Italy, England and so many countries played soccer in their own different ways. They played these games for military practice, celebrations, and sometimes for fun! For example, in China the game Tsu Chu (also known as kicking a ball,) was played in the Han Dynasty for military training. This was a very competitive game. Legend has it that the winners got a big feast and the losers would get beheaded. England was known as the real birthplace of soccer. The English loved soccer and played all the time. The official rules of soccer in England were established on December 8, 1963. This set the dimensions and shapes of what the soccer field is today. Soccer started to become more popular all around the world. Today soccer is one of the most common sports. The soccer field relates to geometry in many ways. A soccer field contains multiple dimensions that include different shapes and sizes. On the field, there are circles, rectangles, and squares that are an important part of the game. Some rectangular shapes include the penalty box, the goal box, and the goal. A square figure that is used in the game includes the halfway line, and the circle shape is used for the beginning start of the game. These shapes within the soccer field are not the only things that relate to geometry- the angles relate too. Angles can be used to help people shoot the ball and can also help set the dimensions of a field. For example, the half way line is perpendicular (90 degree angle) to the sidelines. This marks the half waypoint where one side is a mirror image of the other. This means that all of the shapes and angles have to be the exact same size and measurements on both sides of the field. The area also has to be proportional on each side as well. All of these measurements, dimensions, angles, and shapes relate to geometry and help make the game more organized. There are many dimensions to a soccer field. Some measurements include the penalty box, the goal, the goalie box, the halfway line, the

touchline (perimeter), and more. The measurements of a full size goal usually are 8 feet tall and 24 feet wide. The penalty box is 44 yards wide and 18 yards long. In the penalty box there is a penalty spot where shooters score a goal. This is usually 12 yards away from the back of the goal and 6 yards away from the front of the goalie box. The goals width and height is commonly 24 feet x 8 feet, which is inside the goalie box that is 6 yards high and 20 yards wide. Also, the mid-circle is 10 yards on each side and the corner kick is 1 yard away from the edge of the penalty box. The usual adult size field ranges from 50 to 100 yards wide and 100 to 130 yards long. Depending on the age of the soccer players, the field can be customized to the right size. Soccer is much more than an athletic game. It relates to geometry through field dimensions and shapes. To the casual observer, the geometry of the soccer field is not the primary importance of a game. But when you look at the shapes, the dimensions and proportions, one sees how connected soccer is to geometry. Soccer is an interesting and popular sport to play and the measurements and of the field, you can are very important to the game.

Bibliography

Huddleston, David. "SOCCER FIELD DIAGRAM." Soccer Field Diagrams Parts, Soccer Goal Kick Positions. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. "Soccer Field Dimensions." Soccer Field Dimensions. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014. "SportsKnowHow.com - HISTORY OF SOCCER - Page 1 of 5." History of Soccer. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Mar. 2014.