The penalty box semi circle

[Ricky]

OK in football, the penalty area always has a semi cricle attatched to the end of it. Now could someone please tell me

WHAT THE FU</>CK IS IT THERE FOR???

[Wengerland]

I dunno but i guess you could argue the same about the same type of semi circles around the half way line.

[Mike the Metal Ed]

<font face="Century Gothic" size=2 color=#2E4998>I believe that a player can't stand inside the semi-circle (aka Penalty arc) during a penalty.</font>

[Wengerland]

It seems pointless but i guess it would seem odd if it wasn't there imo.

[The Mask]

I'm sure there's a reason for it. Hardkore UK is probably right.

[Disturbed316]

its for the penalty thing. stop cheating bastards getting the ball before they should.

[BCWWF]

The ones in the middle are clearly to keep guys out during the kickoff, whoever said that.

[Y2Ant]

They are an indicator for Ruud van Nistelrooy, telling him that the penalty area is nearby, and so he must prepare to dive.

:shifty:

[MTR]

During a penalty kick you can not enter those semi-circles just like the penalty area until the kick is made. Not sure why there are there though.