Soccer Pitch Lines

There are four main lines on a soccer pitch that you should know as a player or a fan. These lines are used to denote out of bounds, set the spot for the kickoff, corner kicks, and much more.

What are the lines on a soccer field?

The lines on a soccer field are used to designate certain parts of the field, as well as the boundary between in bounds and out of bounds. These lines include:

• Touchlines
• End Lines
• Midfield Line

The Touchlines

The touchlines, also known as sidelines, are the longer lines on the soccer pitch's rectangular shape. If the ball goes past one of the touchlines, then play stops and the team that didn't touch it last is awarded a throw-in. You will sometimes hear of a touchline ban given to coaches or players, meaning that they are not allowed on the pitch for a match, as most dugouts are on one touchline of a pitch.

The End Lines

The end lines, also known as bylines or goal lines, run along the short end of the rectangular pitch. They run on both sides of the goal line. They also form part of the boundary lines of the soccer pitch. If the ball goes past one of the end lines, then play stops and the team that didn't touch it last is awarded a corner kick. Together, the touchlines and end lines form the field of play.

The Midfield Line

The midfield line divides the soccer pitch and the center circle into two equal halves. It is also known as the halfway line. On kick off, each team must be on their respective half of the pitch. Unlike the touchlines, the end lines, or the goal lines, nothing happens when someone crosses the midfield line during play. It is used exclusively for kickoff and then to divide the field into halves.

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