[Football] Why is there a circle around the centre spot on a football pitch?

[FamilyGuy]

…. And why is there a semi circle attached to the penalty box?

Are these legacy markings?
Or am I missing something? (Very possibly).

 

[Colonel Mustard]

The semicircle is to show players at a penalty where they can/can't stand. Is the centre spot a circle? Can be just a blob I think.

 

[Washie]

So you know the distance from both spots

 

[Luke93]

Markings to show where opposing players can’t encroach for kick-offs and penalties.

 

[Sussexscots]

Ten yard arc which shows the minimum distance opposing players must stand at kick off.

 

[Colonel Mustard]

…. And why is there a semi circle attached to the penalty box?

Are these legacy markings?
Or am I missing something? (Very possibly).

Ah, you mean the big circle? Yes, others have explained re encroachment.

 

[GT49er]

The circle round the centre spot marks the area into which opponents cannot encroach until the ball is kicked at kick off.

The semi circle by the penalty area marks the area in which nobody can encroach when a penalty kick is taken (except of course the penalty taker).

 

[Brok]

When was the last time a player started his run up for a penalty from inside the semi-circle?*
These days players just sort of dance up to the ball...

*And yeah, I do know why it's there.

 

[FamilyGuy]

The circle round the centre spot marks the area into which opponents cannot encroach until the ball is kicked at kick off.

The semi circle by the penalty area marks the area in which nobody can encroach when a penalty kick is taken (except of course the penalty taker).

Aha! Thanks for that everyone.

 

[Tim Over Whelmed]

Grassroots coaches would love both to disappear and make pitch marking so much easier!!

 

[Easy 10]

When was the last time a player started his run up for a penalty from inside the semi-circle?*
These days players just sort of dance up to the ball...

*And yeah, I do know why it's there.

Because...they don't have to ?
He could begin his run-up from the halfway line if he wanted to.

 

[lawros left foot]

…. And why is there a semi circle attached to the penalty box?

Are these legacy markings?
Or am I missing something? (Very possibly).

Because triangles would be silly.

 

[WATFORD zero]

Because penalty takers didn't always do some sort of meandering/camp wander up, followed by a little Monty Python's style jump before they took a penalty

 

[briref]

How long have you been watching football ?
Just shows a majority are clueless to the sport they watch.

 

[Justice]

How long have you been watching football ?
Just shows a majority are clueless to the sport they watch.

Bit harsh, if you’ve never played the game how would you know?

 

[1066familyman]

Because penalty takers didn't always do some sort of meandering/camp wander up, followed by a little Monty Python's style jump before they took a penalty

I'm rather liking Carlton Morris' style. Very neat, and also very effective.

 

[1066familyman]

Bit harsh, if you’ve never played the game how would you know?

I must confess I was looking for the hidden answer. Seems a bit of a basic question, although I confess I'm struggling to get my head around half of the rules these days, especially when it comes to offside and handball.

 

[Ⓩ-Ⓐ-Ⓜ-Ⓞ-Ⓡ-Ⓐ]

Because...they don't have to ?
He could begin his run-up from the halfway line if he wanted to.

 

[Jack Straw]

If I took a run-up like that to take a penalty, I'd collapse with exhaustion when I'd reached the penalty area.

 

[drew]

How long have you been watching football ?
Just shows a majority are clueless to the sport they watch.

That was my thought as well!!