Equipment > Customization >
Pitch
Making your own pitch can be a rewarding process. You get to make it the size you want (just as in real soccer the dimensions can vary within a wide range of regulation sizes), make the out-of-bounds area as wide as you want, and add extra customizations without ruining what would be a sellable item if your son suddenly decides his Xbox is more appealing. The most difficult task is finding an appropriate cloth.
The Surface
This is the most important part of the whole job. For a cloth pitch, which would be considered the equivalent of a grass pitch in the real game, get a small test piece of wood, an offcut of the same MDF you intend to use, and staple a small scrap of material of about 6" in length to it. If you can't take a scrap of material from the hobby store, take a small offcut of MDF to the store along with a playing figure and wrap the material around it. Take some figures that are well polished and that glide well on an existing pitch and see if they travel well. If possible, try this out in humid conditions as humidity is the killer of any good Subbuteo pitch.
If you are looking for a surface that is closer to the Subbuteo Astropitch, you may need to try a few model train stores for "train grass". Riders in Grand Rapids only sells one that is basically like green sandpaper, that would not be any good. You need one that has a bristle type finish to it. You could also try a brushed fabric like a faux suede.
Dimensions
Use a fabric marker to mark your lines, these are available from any craft & hobby store (Hobby Lobby for example) for a couple of bucks.
As dimensions may vary according to FISTF regulations, I will list the dimensions as follows: minimum-standard-maximum. All FISTF measurements are in metric, so you should use those for accuracy. The standard dimensions are taken from a Woodentop Prima pitch, which is a standard size pitch. Imperial (US) measurements are added as a rough guide. Of course it is better if you are doing a larger pitch, that you use all markings at that end of the range, and vice versa for smaller pitches.
This assumes knowledge of a soccer pitch's markings. If you don't know them, do a Google image search or visit this Wikipedia article. The only extra markings for Subbuteo are the shooting lines detailed below in the notes.
| Measurement | cm min | cm std | cm max | in min | in std | in max |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of bounds area (non-playing margin) | 4cm | * | 10cm | 1 1/2" | * | 4" |
| Width of lines | # | * | 3mm | # | * | 1/8" |
| Touch lines/side lines (length of playing area) | 90cm | 121cm | 140cm | 36" | 47 1/2" | 55" |
| Goal lines/end lines (width of playing area) | 60cm | 78cm | 100cm | 24" | 30 3/4" | 40" |
| Difference between length and width | 30cm | 43cm | # | 12" | 16 3/4" | # |
| Center circle radius | 6cm | 9cm | 12cm | 2 3/8" | 3 1/2" | 4 3/4" |
| Penalty area width | 30cm | 47.5cm | 48cm | 12" | 18 3/4" | 18 7/8" |
| Penalty area length | 12cm | 17.5cm | 18cm | 4 3/4" | 6 3/4" | 6 7/8" |
| Penalty spot from goal line | 8cm | 12.75cm | 14cm | 3 1/8" | 5" | 5 1/2" |
| Goal area width | 22cm | 25cm | 26cm | 8 5/8" | 10" | 10 1/4" |
| Goal area length | 5cm | 6.7cm | 7cm | 2" | 2 5/8" | 2 3/4" |
| Corner arc | 2cm | 3cm | 3cm | 3/4" | 1 1/4" | 1 1/4" |
* = varies
# = none stipulated
The halfway lines are self-explanatory, and there should be a centre spot of no specific diameter but you don't want it any wider in diameter than twice the line itself.
The shooting lines, the only features on the Subbuteo pitch that are not on a real soccer pitch, divide each half into equal parts, and run parallel to the halfway line/goal lines.
There is no official measurement requirement for the penalty arc as it has no value in the FISTF regulations. This represents 10 yards from the penalty spot in the real game, so make it the same radius as your center circle.
Optional Guide Markings
Additional markings may be added as a guide for FISTF Subbuteo play (in a smaller width line, dotted line or a different color if you wish):
- The goal area "6 yard box" may be continued back behind the goal lines to aid placement of the spare keeper (this is the only such guide marking stipulated in FISTF rules)
- A 90mm (3 1/2") radius arc from the corners would aid placement of defensive players at a corner kick
- Lines 22mm (7/8") outside the touch lines and goal lines would aid players in determining if a "force-out" on a player off the playing area was successful before the ball left the field of play
- The free kick "distance" of 40mm (1 1/2") can be marked at random points on the out-of-bounds area as a guide for players placing defensive players at free kicks and throw-ins, like so: |---------|
- The shootout spots at the height of the penalty area (kicks 2 and 4) can be marked on the shooting line, as if they were a partial continuation of the penalty area
Additional Measurements of Note
Also from the FISTF regulations, the pitch surface shall be no lower than 70cm (27 1/2") and no higher than 90cm (35 1/2") from the floor. When building a perimeter wall for your board, it should be between 2-10cm (3/4"-4") in height and no wider (thicker) than 10cm (4"). Behind each goal there should be a gap between 15-25cm (6"-10") in the perimeter wall. You will want to count on a meter (about a yard) of space around the board for free movement of players.