How is Geometry Used in the Game of Football?
The Field The field is the most basic way in which geometry is used in the game of football. A football field is shaped like a rectangle: 360 feet (120 yards) long and 160 feet wide (53 1/3 yards). It is divided into three smaller rectangles by the two goal lines at either end of the field, marking the end zone where points are scored. These end zones are 10 yards deep and remain 53 1/3 yards wide. The main portion of the playing field, where most of the action takes place, is 100 yards long and 53 1/3 yards wide. Another geometrical aspect in football is what is referred to as the “plane of the playing field.” White lines surrounding the field mark the boundaries, beyond which play is ruled dead and players cannot advance the ball. At the goal line, a touchdown can be scored simply by the ball crossing the vertical plane that extends above the line, without any part of the player crossing the line. Positioned one behind each end zone, the goalposts also cross into the y-axis. Two post
