It is the area on the offensive line that includes the 2 tackles, and the two guards on each side of the center in front of the quarterback. See the figure below.
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The larger rectangle is called the penalty area. It is 18 yards deep and 44 yards wide. Within this area the defending goal keeper may handle the ball. Any direct free kick offense committed by a defender within this area will result in a penalty kick for the attacking team.
The smaller rectangle is call the goal area. It is 6 yards deep and 20 yards wide. A goal kick may be taken from anywhere within this area. Any indirect free kick offense committed by a defender within this area will result in the indirect free kick being moved to the 6 yard line (top of the area) closest to the point of the infraction. Essentially, no attacking team is going to receive a indirect free kick opportunity 6 inches from the goal mouth.
The penalty area is the big rectangle surrounding the goals on either end, there is also a smaller area within this one which called the goal area.