Penalty box

The penalty box—also known as the penalty area—is the big rectangle you see in front of each goal. It’s 18 yards deep and 44 yards wide.

Why It Matters

• Goalkeeper rules: Inside the penalty box is the only place where the goalkeeper can use their hands. Step outside, and they’re just another outfield player.

• Fouls: If a defender commits a foul inside their own box, the attacking team gets a penalty kick from the spot—one of the most dangerous chances in football.

• Restarts: Goal kicks, penalty kicks, and many attacking set pieces happen from inside the box.

Everyday Commentary

You’ll often hear:

• “Brought down in the box!” → That means a foul inside the area, so the referee is pointing to the penalty spot.

• “Crowded in the box!” → Describing lots of players packed into the area, usually during a corner or free kick.

U.S. Comparison

American fans sometimes call it the “18-yard box” (because of its dimensions). That’s a bit like how U.S. sports talk about the “red zone” in American football: both describe the high-stakes area close to scoring.