Field Preparation

Field Layout

WARNING – Spectator Safety: The spectator area along the touch line is a safety hazard. The spectator line 3 yards outside of the touch line is a visual reminder to all spectators, especially children, to maintain this safe distance back from the field of play.

Field layout of VYS area home game fields is performed by a field lining service under contract with Vienna Youth Soccer, unless noted otherwise by your VYS House Commissioner or Club Representative.

Best Time to Layout a Field

Mid-Morning, a few days before the weekend games;
When nobody is on the field such as players, students, or grounds keepers;
Right after the grass is cut. On a rare occasion, contact the VYS Administrator or Fairfax County Turf Management (703-324-8590) about getting the grass cut, or cut the grass yourself;
When it is dry and the wind is calm;
Before the existing lines disappear. Monitor the lines during extended periods of non-use and either over-paint the lines or hand paint all corners and endpoints to preserve an existing field layout.

Time Required to Layout a Full-Size Field

It takes one person 4 hours (or two people 2.5 hours) to layout a new field;
It takes one person 3 hours to layout a field beginning with existing work points;
It takes one person 2 hours to layout a field beginning with existing lines;
It takes one person 1 hour to over-paint the lines before a game.

Tools Required to Layout a Field

300’ tape measure;
100’ tape measure;
4 cones to site the corners during preliminary field layout;
35 6" steel stakes (60d galvanized nails);
10 rolls of string on a reel (#21 cotton/polyester cable/chalk line, 285’ per roll, on a plastic wire spool with a PVC pipe axle and windup knob);
2’ sight rod (dowel rod);
Liner machine and 12 cans of white spray paint with the proper tips for the machine.

Field Layout Procedure

Check the VYS Master Field Schedule to determine the oldest age group scheduled for the field. See VYS House Rules modifications to FIFA Law 1 for that age group to determine the required (average) field dimensions.
If the field has fixed goals, measure, string, and stake each goal line. At each corner, lift and touch the string to the face of the goal posts to position the goal line parallel to the face of the goal. Measure out from goal line center to place stakes at the goal line center, goal areas, penalty areas, and touch lines/corners. For example, if the goal line is 70 yards, place stakes at 0’, 30’, 66’, and 105’ out on both sides from goal line center. Then prepare each touch line similar to Step 4 and continue with Step 10 below.
Perform a preliminary field layout using the cones to sight the corners. Survey the site for safety hazards, obstacles, poor playing surfaces, and low areas slow to dry. Decide the optimum field location. This is often a compromise between sizing the field large enough and avoiding the worst field conditions. Allow space for spectator areas and pedestrian traffic around the field. Decide which touch line is most critical for given conditions; begin there with corner1 closest to your car (station tools here).
Measure, string, and stake touch line1 from corner1. Place stakes at the goal lines/corners, penalty areas and spectator lines, and the halfway line. The spectator line is 3 yards outside of the touch line and extends even to the top of the penalty areas. Omit the spectator line, if it is not required on that side of the field. Retrieve the tape measure.

The most efficient way to use the tape measure is to lay it out full length along the line, calculate the running feet measurements in your head, and place the stakes accordingly. For example, if the touch line is 110 yards, place stakes at 0’, 54’, 165’, 276’, and 330’. You have to append the 100’ tape measure to reach 330’.
Measure and mark a 3-4-5 unit triangle at corner2 (for an 18 yard penalty area, 1 unit = 18’ and the triangle measures 54’-72’-90’). The touch line leg is 3 units (54’) extending from corner2 to the penalty area stake. Use the 300’ tape measure to measure the goal line leg 4 units (72’) from corner2. Use the 100’ tape measure to measure the hypotenuse 5 units (90’) from the penalty area stake on the touch line. Stake the sight rod vertically where the two tape measures intersect on the goal line. Retrieve the 100’ tape measure.
Measure, string, and stake goal line1 from corner2. At corner3, lift and touch the string to the sight rod to position goal line1 perpendicular to touch line1. Place stakes at the penalty areas, goal areas, and the goal line center. Retrieve the tape measure.
Measure goal line2 from corner1 to approximately locate corner4. Retrieve the tape measure.
Measure, string, and stake touch line2 from corner3. Shift corner4 as required to intersect. Place stakes at the goal lines/corners, penalty areas and spectator lines, and the halfway line. Retrieve the tape measure.
Measure, string, and stake goal line2 from corner4. Place stakes at the penalty areas, goal areas, and the goal line center. Retrieve the tape measure.
String the near top of penalty area line (extends from touch line to touch line across the top of the penalty area), the halfway line, and the other top of penalty area line.
Measure and stake the penalty area and goal area corners, the penalty marks, and the center mark. Penalty area corners can be measured from the touch line (width’/2 - 66’). Goal area corners and penalty marks can be measured approximately perpendicular from the goal line. String the near penalty area and goal area; then string the other penalty area and goal area (the sequence is: one side of penalty area, three sides of goal area, other side of penalty area; then go to other end of field and repeat).
String the spectator lines as required.
Use the 100’ tape measure to paint the corner arcs by hand, and to stitch paint the penalty arcs and center circle. Paint goal post marks for placement of moveable/portable goals only, a 12" line outside and perpendicular to the goal line. Retrieve the penalty mark stakes and paint the penalty marks, a 12" line parallel to the goal line (or a solid 12" circle). Retrieve the center mark stake and paint the center mark, a 12" line perpendicular to the halfway line (or a solid 12" circle).
Paint all lines in both directions beginning and ending at the string end (so that the reel end dries first). The maximum line width is 5".
Retrieve the remaining stakes and string. Count the stakes.

Field Setup/Takedown

WARNING – Field Equipment Safety: Field equipment lockers and sheds and the material within are a safety hazard. These items are for sanctioned program use only. Only adults are permitted to access field equipment. Field equipment lockers with heavy steel lids are hazardous to operate. Be very careful when opening and closing these lockers. Close and lock these items immediately before leaving unattended to prohibit unauthorized access, child endangerment, and vandalism.

WARNING – Goal Safety: Moveable and portable soccer goals are a safety hazard. These items are for sanctioned program use only. Only adults are permitted to handle these goals. These goals must be securely anchored before use. The home team has 15 minutes to make their field safe or the game can be subject to forfeit.

Do not use unanchored goals. Field Setup requires that moveable and portable goals be securely anchored at their back corners before use. Report unanchored goals to the responsible club and to the game official at the field.

Do not unanchor or move goals, unless you are the adult responsible for Field Preparation.

Do not allow youth players or minors to assist in goal transport and placement.

Do not leave moveable or portable goals set up on a playing field overnight. Unless noted otherwise, Field Takedown requires that moveable and portable goals be removed to secure storage after use. Moveable goals with goal nets removed must be stored faced together and cable locked along with any anchor weights off the field of play behind a goal line.

Do not climb on goals. Do not allow children to play on field equipment and goals stored at a field. Warn anyone seen climbing on a goal to stop in the interest of the safety of everyone near the goal.

Check the VYS Master Field Schedule to determine home team game day field setup and takedown duty. A team’s assignment should also be indicated on its league division game schedule, but this indicator can be false when a field is used by more than one league. Check both schedules to be certain which team is responsible for game day field setup and/or takedown.

If your team has field setup, check the field several days before the game and perform Field Layout, if required.

Travel Soccer field equipment storage and any specific field use requirements are noted under the respective Field Directions. Contact your VYS House Commissioner for House Soccer field equipment storage and any specific field use requirements.

Field equipment is either stored in a locker or shed at a field, or it is stored at a private residence near the field. A location may store field equipment for more than one field. Use equipment only as marked. Some fields have permanent fixed goals, some fields have moveable goals stored at the field, and some fields have no goals and require portable goals that pack to about 1x10’ each. Field equipment lockers, sheds, and moveable goals are secured with VYS combination locks.

IMPORTANT: Please be discreet (tactful, careful, diplomatic, inconspicuous, unnoticeable... quiet) when accessing field equipment stored at a private residence near the field. And close the gate!

IMPORTANT: Report any field equipment deficiency such as running low on white spray paint (less than 1 box/12 cans) to your VYS House Commissioner or Club Representative to help maintain this equipment.

IMPORTANT: Field equipment lockers and sheds are for sanctioned program use only. Personal equipment belonging to individual teams and coaches found stored in these items will be discarded.

How to Unlock and Open a Knaack Equipment Locker

Enter lock combination;
Depress lock with thumb and release (lock will spring open outward);
Slide both left and right latch rods outward to OPEN position;
Raise lid carefully to fully open and safe holding position.

How to Close and Lock a Knaack Equipment Locker

Slide both left and right latch rods outward to OPEN position;
Lower lid carefully to fully closed and seated position;
Slide both left and right latch rods inward to LATCHED position;
Depress and hold lock in with thumb to engage and then scramble the combination.

Tools Required to Setup and Takedown a Field

Large screwdriver or the proper tool for turning in corkscrew goal anchors;
Hammer for goal stakes and goal net stakes;
Spare 1/4"x2’ cords for extra goal anchor straps;
Utility knife and spare cord for extra goal net fasteners;
Small step ladder or milk crate for reaching the crossbeam on fixed goals;
Litter bag;
Small flashlight for returning equipment after dark to a combination locked equipment locker.

Field Setup Procedure

Game day field setup before the first game may take 1 hour and include these tasks:

Transport field equipment from storage. This may include a liner machine with paint, moveable or portable goals, goal anchors (corkscrew anchors with straps, stakes, or weights), goal nets with fasteners (clips, cord, or velcro straps), goal net stakes, corner flags, and spectator signs.

IMPORTANT: Do not pick up field equipment early and hold it as it may be committed on a schedule you are unaware of.
Over-paint faded lines. Painting faded lines helps to preserve the field layout.
Assemble/Place/Anchor the goals and attach the goal nets. The face of the goal should be even with the outside edge of the goal line. Moveable and portable goals must be securely anchored at their back corners with corkscrew anchors with straps, stakes, or weights. Tip: Use a sledge hammer and 1/2" diameter stake to partially drill very hard soil before anchoring portable goals.

IMPORTANT: Do not install stakes into a synthetic turf field. Instead, use weights to anchor field equipment.

When possible, lay moveable and portable goals face down to easily attach the goal net to the crossbeam. Center the goal net top corner tags on the crossbeam. Wrap the goal net over the outside of the goal frame, unless the net is undersized. Avoid using tape as it is difficult to remove and litters the goals and fields. If present, fasten the goal net sag line taut and install goal net stakes to hold the net away from the field of play.

Attach any equipment storage bags and cable locks behind the back corners of the goals to prevent them from becoming lost.
Install the corner flags even with the outside edge of the lines.
When a large field is divided into smaller fields for small-sided play, post the spectator signs provided to prohibit spectators between the smaller fields to preserve the playing surface.
Move/Relocate furnishings like trash recepticles and benches and any spare field equipment like goals and kickback nets to behind the spectator lines and/or far back from the goal lines. Team benches, canopies, and banners should be located outward, respectively, to either side of the halfway line.
Clear the field of any litter and safety hazards like rocks, dog fetch sticks, broken glass, and shredded aluminum and plastic containers.
Transport unused field equipment to secure storage at the field, or leave it stationed beyond the exit corner of the field.
Close and lock the field equipment locker/shed.

Field Takedown Procedure

Game day field takedown after the last game may take 30 minutes and include these tasks:

Disassemble the goal nets/portable goals and store these in their storage bags. Leave the goal net fasteners in place on the nets when possible; watch for dropped fasteners. Tip: Partially zip close the end of a portable goal storage bag and then easily stuff in the net.
Retrieve the corner flags and any spectator signs. Fasten the compression straps on a portable goal storage bag to reduce the load stress on the zipper.
Pick up litter from around the field to help keep our fields clean.
Transport field equipment including moveable and portable goals to secure storage. Moveable goals with goal nets removed must be stored faced together and cable locked along with any anchor weights off the field of play behind a goal line.
Close and lock the field equipment locker/shed.