Penalty area

[1] Within the penalty area is another smaller rectangular area called the goal area (colloquially the "six-yard box"), which is delimited by two lines starting on the goal-line 6 yd (5.5 m) from the goalposts and extending 6 yd (5.5 m) into the pitch from the goal-line, and the line joining these.

Previously, penalty areas extended across the full width of the field; they were reduced to their current dimensions in 1901.

[2] Fouls punishable by a direct free kick (i.e. handling the ball and most physical fouls), committed by the defensive team within the penalty area, may be penalised by a penalty kick.

The attacking team generally aims to get the ball and their own players into the defending team's penalty area, and a high percentage of goals in professional football are scored from within the penalty area.

[4] Usually during attacking set pieces, including corners, a large number of both attacking and defending players are in the penalty area and, although illegal, grappling between players is frequently observed.

The penalty area with penalty box marking and the penalty arc in parallel to the goal. The smaller box is often called the 6-yard box
Penalty area (1898)
Schematic of an association football pitch , the penalty areas are the larger of the two rectangular regions surrounding the goals at both ends of the pitch
Penalty arc.
A player taking a penalty kick from inside the penalty area.