[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.