The penalty box: Where dreams are made (and hopes are crushed) 

The penalty box in soccer is the large rectangular area marked by the perpendicular lines around and in front of the goal. It’s also known as the 18-yard box since the opposite side measures exactly 18 yards (16.5 meters) from the goal-line. Inside the area is the six-yard box (5.5 meters away from the goal) and the penalty spot. 

Why is it called the penalty area in soccer? 

Action in the penalty box means high tensions, high stakes, and high volume from the fans. It’s no wonder since most goals are scored from within the penalty area. However, there are also more strict and severe punishments for fouls in the box, which are more likely to lead to red cards and penalties (hence the name “penalty area”). 

What are the penalty box dimensions? 

You might be wondering: how big is the penalty box in soccer? It’s about 54 feet (16.5 meters) long and 132 feet (40.3 meters) wide. Its whole area totals around 7,128 square feet (664.9 square meters). According to FIFA regulations, the lines used for marking the penalty box may not exceed 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) in width.

The six-yard box, or the goalmouth, is the smaller rectangle inside the penalty area. It measures around 18 feet (5.5 meters) long and 60 feet (18.3 meters) wide. 

The penalty box and the goalkeeper 

Famously, a goalkeeper is allowed to use their hands in soccer. However, the penalty box is the only area on the soccer field where they are allowed to do so legally. What’s more, goalkeepers have special protection inside the penalty area and cannot be tackled by an opposition player if they are holding the ball. If the goalkeeper touches the ball with their hands outside the penalty area, however, they are shown a red card. 

Sanctions for rule violations inside the penalty box 

Since the area surrounding the goal is so dangerous, fouls and rule violations are punished particularly severely if committed within the penalty area. The following soccer rules apply to fouls inside the penalty box: 

• A penalty kick is awarded instead of a direct free-kick if a defender fouls an attacker inside the penalty box or commits a handball in the penalty area. 
• After a goal kick or free-kick in a team’s own penalty box, the ball is only considered “in-play” again after it has been kicked and clearly moves. Before this, no member of the opposition can touch the ball, nor can they enter the penalty area. If this occurs, the kick will be retaken.
• The goalkeeper may pick up the ball in their own penalty area, provided a member of their own team has not deliberately passed it to them. If the goalkeeper handles a so-called back-pass, an indirect free-kick is awarded to the opposition. 

Watch: How do you attack in football?

What is the semi-circle at the edge of the penalty box for? 

There are many soccer fans who get confused as to what the semi-circle on the edge of the penalty area means. It’s called the penalty arc and in soccer it’s used to mark a distance of 10 feet (9.15 meters) away from the penalty spot. This is the distance all players must stand from the penalty spot if they are not either the kicker or the goalkeeper. 

Gerd Müller: King of the penalty box 

One of the best players in the penalty area was none other than Bayern Munich and Fort Lauderdale Strikers legend Gerd Müller. His Bundesliga record of 365 goals in 427 games still stands and looks to be unbeatable. Through intelligent runs and an excellent poacher’s instinct, Müller scored an incredible number of goals in the penalty box throughout his career. Think Chris Wondolowski, but with more World Cups! 

The box: A short history 

Originally, the penalty box was not a box at all. In fact, early versions of soccer used a large semi-circle as the penalty area. It wasn’t until 1902 that the rectangular area we know was introduced. Then, in 1903, goalkeepers were restricted to only using their hands inside the penalty area. Before that, ‘goalkeepers could use their hands anywhere inside their own half.