How to Line and Mark a Football Field (NCAA and High School Rules)
Football Field Marking Rules or Everything that you need to know about Football Field Markings (secrets that only the field markers know)
1. All Lines should be white and four inches in width. Exceptions for the NCAA: Sidelines and end lines may be more than 4 inches in width. The goal line may be 4 inches or 8 inches in width, and maybe of contrasting color.
2. Hash-marks 24 inches in length and 4 inches in width, parallel to the sideline and bisecting each 5 yard line shall be placed: NCAA- 60 feet from the sidelines and High school - 53 feet 4 inches from the sidelines. Use our Hash-Mark Stencil to mark.
3. Yard Lines are marked every 5 yards beginning and ending 4 inches from the sideline.
4. 24 inch by 4 inch yard line extensions (yard marking between the 5 and 10 yard lines), shall be placed 4 inches inside the sidelines and at the hash-marks are mandatory for NCAA and allowed for High schools. Use our Hash-Mark Stencil to mark.
5. Field Yard Line Numbers: White field Yard line numbers not to exceed 6 feet in height and 4 feet in width are recommended. The tops of the numbers must be 9 yards from the sidelines. Our Field Numbers Stencil Set has regulation numbers for both NCAA and High school as well as smaller, more affordable letters for more cost conscious leagues.
6. White directional arrows next to the field numbers ( except the 50) indicating the direction toward the nearest goal line are recommended. The arrow is a triangle with an 18 inch base and two sides that are 36 inches each. Included in our Field Numbers Stencil Set.
7. If field yard line numbers are not used, nine yard marks 12 inches in length every 10 yards shall be located 9 yards from the sidelines.
8. Team Area and Coaching Box: Between the 25 yard lines is a the Restricted area, coaches Box and team area. The first 6 feet outside of the sideline is the restricted area and should be marked solid white. The next 6 feet of wdith is the Coaches box, and behind the coaches box is the Team area. For High school, between the 25 yard lines is the team area. A minimum first 6 feet is the coaches box and this area is restricted when the ball is live. It is recommended that the Coaches box be marked solid white or with diagonal white lines, and that the team box boundaries be marked with a color which contrasts with other field markings.
9. Limit Lines: NCAA only. Marked with a dashed line 12 inch line at 24 inch intervals and may be yellow. These lines are a minimum of 6 and recommended 12 feet from the end lines and sidelines, and are marked 6 feet from the side and back of the team area.
Team Area and Coaching Box: Between the 25 yard lines is a the Restricted area, coaches Box and team area. The first 6 feet outside of the sideline is the restricted area and should be marked solid white. The next 6 feet of wdith is the Coaches box, and behind the coaches box is the Team area. For High school, between the 25 yard lines is the team area. A minimum first 6 feet is the coaches box and this area is restricted when the ball is live. It is recommended that the Coaches box be marked solid white or with diagonal white lines, and that the team box boundaries be marked with a color which contrasts with other field markings. 9 Limit Lines: NCAA only. Marked with a dashed line 12 inch line at 24 inch intervals and may be yellow. , these lines are a minimum of 6 and recommended 12 feet from the endlines and sidelines, and are marked 6 feet from the side and back of the team area.
