Strafraum

Strafraum, in football (soccer) terms the penalty area, is the rectangular zone in front of each goal defined by the Laws of the Game. It marks where certain offenses are punishable with a penalty kick and where the goalkeeper normally operates under the most extended set of privileges.

Dimensions and layout. The Strafraum extends 16.5 meters (18 yards) from the goal line into the field and is 40.3 meters (44 yards) wide, centered on the goal. Inside it lies the smaller Torraum (goal area), which is 5.5 meters (6 yards) deep and 18.32 meters (20 yards) wide. The penalty mark is located 11 meters (12 yards) from the goal line, and the penalty arc (the “D”) has a radius of 9.15 meters (10 yards) around the mark.

Rules and consequences. Fouls committed inside the Strafraum by the defending team can result in a direct free kick awarded as a penalty kick to the opposing team. The goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball within the Strafraum, while opposing players must respect specific distances during a penalty kick: all players except the kicker and the goalkeeper must remain outside the area and the marked arc until the kick is taken.

Role in restarts and play. The Strafraum plays a central role in set-piece situations and in defining where certain defensive and offensive actions may or may not occur. It interacts with other areas of the field, such as the Torraum, and with refereeing decisions related to penalties, handball, and encroachment.

Variations. The described dimensions are standard in the Laws of the Game issued by IFAB; actual field dimensions can vary within the allowed range, but the Strafraum remains the same functional area on professional fields.