Soccer is played on a large field marked with several lines that delineate different areas such as the penalty box and penalty arc, and one of the fundamental lines is the touchline. So the question is raised, What is the touchline in soccer?
The touchline, often referred to as the sideline, is a fundamental boundary line in the game of soccer. It serves as one of the two primary field boundaries, with the other being the goal line.
In this article, we are discussing this fundamental line in the soccer field to gain an understanding of the sport.
Touchline
Length
The touchline is the line that runs along the length of the soccer field, marking its outer boundary. It stretches from one corner flag to the opposite corner flag, parallel to the goal line.
The touchline extends between 100 to 120 yards in accordance with the laws of the game, and the specific size within this range can vary based on the home team’s preference.
Alternate Name: Sideline
In soccer terminology, the touchline is also commonly referred to as the “sideline.” These terms are used interchangeably, and both refer to the same boundary line on the field. Whether you call it the touchline or the sideline, its significance remains consistent throughout the game.
The Role of the Touchline
Defining the Field of Play
One of the primary roles of the touchline is to define the field of play. It acts as a clear boundary that separates the soccer pitch from the surrounding areas. Players, coaches, and officials all use the touchline as a reference point to understand the limits of the playing area.
Determining Ball In and Out of Play
The touchline plays a crucial role in determining whether the ball is in or out of play. When the entire ball crosses over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air, it is considered out of play. This moment triggers stoppage, such as throw-ins depending on which team last touched the ball before it crossed the touchline.
Influencing Player Positioning
Players must be aware of their position in relation to the touchline throughout the match. For example, when taking a throw-in, a player must have both feet on or behind the touchline, ensuring that they are outside the field of play.
Ensuring Fair Play
Referees and assistant referees closely monitor the touchline to enforce the rules of the game. They are responsible for making decisions about whether the ball has gone out of play, which team should have possession, and whether players are in the correct position during set pieces.
Ball Out of Play
When the ball crosses the touchline, it goes “out of bounds.” This means that it is no longer within the boundaries of the playing field. It could be on the grass just outside the line or in the stands if the field is surrounded by spectator areas. In either case, the ball is temporarily removed from the active part of the game.
In-Play vs. Out-of-Play Scenarios
When the ball is in play, the game continues, and players can compete for possession, pass, shoot, and score goals. However, when the ball goes out of play by crossing the touchline, the game momentarily stops, and certain procedures are followed to restart play.
Restarting Play
When the ball is out of play due to crossing the touchline, the play is restarted with a thrown-in, and which team takes it depends on which team last touched the ball before it went out
- If the attacking team last touched the ball before it went out, the opposing team is awarded a throw-in.
- The player taking the throw-in must stand behind the touchline, have both feet on the ground, and use both hands to throw the ball back into play.
These restarts ensure that play resumes fairly and in accordance with the rules of the game. They are a crucial part of maintaining the flow and integrity of soccer matches.
Establishing the Field Boundary for Offside Rule
The offside rule (explained in detail – here) is one of the most debated and crucial aspects of soccer, and it has a direct connection to the touchline, which serves as one of the boundaries defining the playing field.
The touchline defines the outer boundary of the playing field. When a player is positioned near the touchline, they are still considered to be on the field of play as long as any part of their body that can legally play the ball (usually the feet) is within the boundaries of the touchline.
Therefore, the touchline serves as a reference point for deciding whether a player is in play while checking offside.
Role of Referees and Assistant Referees
Referees and their assistants (commonly known as linesmen or assistant referees) are responsible for enforcing the laws of the game and ensuring that play is fair and within the defined boundaries of the field. In this context, the touchline serves as a crucial reference point for these officials.
Preventing Encroachment
During throw-ins, players from the opposing team must maintain a certain distance from the player taking throw.
The touchline serves as a clear and visible boundary to help referees understand where players should be positioned while talking throw-ins and to prevent encroachment from opposition players.
The touchline also serves as a visual point for referees to ensure that managers and substitutes don’t enter the soccer field at any moment of the play.
Touchline Ban on Managers
A Touchline Suspension is a disciplinary measure that can be imposed on both players and club officials, including managers and coaches.
This suspension entails a ban from any immediate contact with players, club officials, and match officials participating in a match for the duration of that specific match.
In the picture above, Arsene Wenger the Arsenal manager watches from the stands as he serves a one-match touchline ban during the Carling Cup third-round.
The purpose of a Touchline Suspension is to uphold fair play and ensure that individuals serving the suspension do not exert undue influence or engage in disruptive behavior during the match.
Prohibited Activities during a Touchline Ban
During a touchline ban, Managers are prohibited from certain activities.
- To be present in Dugouts and Technical Areas
- Coaching and Issuing Instructions from the sideline or touchline
- During a Touchline Suspension, individuals are not allowed to engage with match officials while they are on the field of play or in the tunnel and private way leading from the dressing rooms to the field of play
Permitted Activities During a Touchline Ban
- The player or official under a Touchline Suspension is permitted to attend the team changing room pre-match, at half-time, and post-match. This access allows them to interact with the team during these specific moments.
- In certain situations, individuals under a Touchline Suspension may be allowed to approach the match officials pre-match or post-match. This interaction is typically limited to matters that require discussion or clarification.
FAQs
The touchline is one of the boundary lines on a soccer field that runs the length of the pitch. It defines the outer edge of the playing area. The length of the touchline is between 100 – 120 yards
In soccer, the sideline is commonly referred to as the “touchline.” It serves as the boundary that separates the field of play from the surrounding areas.
The term “touchline” is used because it traditionally referred to the line where the ball was “in play” or “in touch.” Players would use this line as a reference to determine if the ball was still on the field or out of play.
When the ball goes over the touchline (the sideline) in soccer, it is considered out of play. Throw-in is taken to restart the play depending on which team last touched the ball before it crossed the touchline:
