How to Lay Out a Soccer Field
Here is a description of how to set up a field from Hank Magnuski (hankm@mtinet.com), former fields manager for Region 26, Palo Alto.
Setting up a field:
1. Buy a couple of 300 ft. tape measures (the kind that has a built-in reel), and one 100 ft. measure.
2. Buy about 25 12" gutter spikes from your favorite hardware store.
3. Buy about 500 ft. of strong cord, approx 3/32", of a kind that won't stretch too much.
4. Get a can of field marking spray paint.
5. Plan to make the field as large as possible within the constraints of the space available. Leave some room on the sidelines for overruns. Watch out for sprinkler heads, cement fixtures, gutters, etc.
6. Establish a base line for one side of the field. This can be either a sideline or goal-line. Its position is usually determined by the worst constraint you have to deal with. Measure off the required distance of the base line and stake it down with the cord.
7. From one end of the base line, establish the next leg of the field using a 60'-80'-100' right-angle triangle. If your base line was a sideline, then this triangle will establish one of the goal lines. Measure off and stake down this second leg with the cord and stakes.
8. From the other end of the base line, establish the opposite leg of the field using a 60'-80'-100' right-angle triangle. Measure off the required distance, stretch your new cord and stake down the corner.
9. Stretch a cord across the open ends of the field, closing the rectangle. Measure off the half-way points on each leg and stake their positions. From these half-way points you can start measuring, staking and cording all the internal lines of the field.
10. Use the spray can to mark all these positions if you are not going to line the field that day.
11. Make sure you pick up all the stakes. These stakes should be painted international orange, or tied with a bright ribbon, as otherwise they are guaranteed to get lost. I wouldn't want to be on the next lawn-mower that hits one.
From long years of experience, the time spent arguing about where the field should be placed usually equals the time spent staking and marking. Have someone around who can make executive decisions.
Using rulers and measures is the only way to get straight and square fields (unless your brother is a surveyor, of course). Referees hate sloppy work and lines that are missing and out of place.
And don't forget the beer when you're done.
Hank Magnuski, netvideo, Tel: +1 (408) 541-9230, Fax: +1 (408) 541-9231
Last updated July 03, 2006 at 12:46 AM