U8 Field Layout

Items you will need

• Athletic Field Sprayer and white marking paint typically 1 case
• 2 - 300’ tape measure and 2 100’ tape measures 
• Hammer and spikes
• Stripping string on orange rolls (approximately 2-3)

Start by laying out the approximate area of the field. Using a 300’ tape measure, layout 105’ for the length of the field. Center the 105’ between the baseball field on the right and the creek pathway on the left. Adjust as needed to accommodate goals and walking areas.

Using a 100’ tape, layout the 75’ for the width of the field. Center the 75’ between the baseball fence and DG in front of snack bar. 

From the creek pathway, set Corner #1 and Corner #2 75’ apart based on your field layout using a 100’ tape. Drive a spike at each corner with approximately 3” exposed above ground. 

From Corner #1, hook the 300’ tape (Tape #1) on the spike and measure out 105’ to set the length of the field toward Corner #3. Leave the tape on the ground or have someone hold it at this position. From Corner #2, hook the second 300’ tape (Tape #2) and measure it diagonally 129’ to where the Tape #1 is at Corner #3. We want to find the point where Tape #1 measures to 105’ and Tape #2 measures to 129’ and intersect. Set a spike at this point. This will set corner #3. This should give you the 105’ length of the field (Corner #1 to Corner #3), the 75’ width of the field (Corner #1 to Corner #2) and a 90 degree corner. 

Take Tape #2 still connected to Corner #2 and swing it to Corner #4 and measure out 105’. From Corner #3, measure out 75’ with a 100’ tape. Find the point where these 2 measurements intersect. Set a spike at this point. Take Tape #1 from Corner #1 and measure diagonally to Corner #4 129’. If all numbers line up, you should have a square field.

*If measurements are off by a few inches dont stress. We are looking for as close as reasonable, not perfection.

Run the string along the 4 sides around the spikes and spray the outside lines. Tighten up the lines by pulling tight and wrapping it around the spike a few times. Lift the middle of the line up to make sure it does not catch on any rough patches of grass. Take a can of spray, pop off the top. Line up the nozzle so the wide part is going side to side on the sprayer. There will be an orange mark at the front of the sprayer. Use this as a guide to follow the string. Pull the lever and start walking. Adjust your walking speed as needed so the sprayer gets good coverage. 

Next, measure 52’ 6” down the length of the field on both sides to set the center line. Set spikes, string, and paint. Make a small mark with a spray can at 37’ 6” for the center circle. Set a spike at the 37’ 6” center. Hook the end of a tape measure to the center spike. Measure out 15’ of tape and wrap additional tape around a spray can. Keep the 15’ pinned against the side of the tape so you keep 15’ of tape tight from the center. Push the nozzle and walk around the radius of the circle keeping the line taught. Spray some dashed lines/dots/solid line to create the circle. Come back and spray the circle solid with the sprayer.

For the goal boxes, from corner #1, measure in towards the goal area 15’. Do the same from corner #2. Set a spike at these two areas. This will be where the goal box meets the end line.

Next measure from corner #1 towards corner #3 and corner #2 towards corner #4 20’. Set a spike at these two areas and run a string between them. This will give you a string 20’ from the end going across the field. Along this string, measure in 15’ from both sidelines. Set a spike at these corners. There should be 45’ between your two corners. Remove the string running across the field and connect the 4 points you just made to make the goalie box. Spray out the 3 lines. For the goal kick box (smaller box) measure up 6’ from endline and set corners 12’ acoss/6” left and right of center. Spray these 3 lines. 

For corner arcs, spray a line from endline to sideline 3’ out. Easiest way is usually to hook a tape at corner spike, measure out 3’, spray a small dot/dash along the arc then spray with sprayer or free hand.

Use a can of orange spray and put a dot at the center of the circle for kickoffs and at each corner of the small goal box for goal kicks. This will make it easier for the kids to know where to start with a ball. 

concept u8 field.pdf