Doeloppervlakte

Doeloppervlakte is the Dutch term for the goal area in association football, also known as the six-yard box. It is the small rectangle directly in front of each goal and is defined by lines drawn parallel to the goal line a short distance into the pitch. The depth of the doeloppervlakte is 6 yards (5.5 meters) from the goal line, and its width is approximately the width of the goal mouth, centered on the goal.

The purpose of the doeloppervlakte is to provide a standardized reference area for several aspects of the game. It marks where the goalkeeper may handle the ball and where certain restart procedures, such as goal kicks, are taken. The exact dimensions of the area are specified by the Laws of the Game, and while the depth is fixed at six yards, the width corresponds to the width of the goal itself (the inner width between the goalposts). In international play, the goal area is consistently used, though field sizes may vary slightly in non-international matches.

In play, the doeloppervlakte serves as a reference for positioning and for officiating restart rules following ball out of play near the goal. It is distinct from the larger penalty area, which extends further into the field and has additional implications, such as the location of penalty kicks. The term is primarily used in Dutch-language contexts; in English, the term is commonly referred to as the six-yard box.