Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players far a lot more handle of the ball. Coupled with enhanced ball speed, hockey has turn out to be a a lot more swiftly and far a lot more fascinating game.

More information on Field Hockey pitch and constructing there of.

A hockey pitch is the playing surface for the game of field hockey. Historically, the game was played on all-organic turf (grass) but these days it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came by means of the 1970s and was made mandatory for substantial competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and aim specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Recommendations of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch variety portion of the place which they define. For instance, a ball on the side line is nonetheless in the field of play a ball on the line of the penalty circle is in the penalty circle a foul committed a lot more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre place. A ball have to have to completely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball have to have to wholly cross the aim line just prior to a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the popular dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (thinking of that 1998), even although the use of the imperial terms remains standard in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are utilised to distinguish the field of play (green or blue) from the run-off (red/blue/yellow/orange/and so forth).

The hockey pitch is rectangular in shape. The longer perimeter edges are recognized as the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this amongst the aim posts is recognized as the aim line. The side line have to have to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought to measure 55.00 m. There have to have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which could be a distinct surface for the final meter. All line markings have to have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no far a lot more than 300 mm square is attached to a post of height 1.20–1.50 m.

Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998. The incredibly very first recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been generating use of at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches have been to be “100–150 yards (91–137 m) extended and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Recommendations by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “1 hundred yards extended by 55 to 60 yards (50 to 55 m) wide”.34 In 1905, the International Recommendations Board permitted the width of the pitch to be “up to 66 yards (60 m)” but this choice was reversed in 1909.5 In 1975, the current width of 60 yards was written into the suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play ought to be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an solution colour. The London 2012 Olympics started a new trend for blue hockey pitches, due to the fact blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch by means of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the popular for specialist field hockey tournaments.

Objective

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer time season Olympics. The aim is deeper at ground level with side and backboards about the base.

Targets consist of two upright posts placed equidistant from the center of the backline, joined at the big by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts have to have to be 3.66 metres apart, and the decreased edge of the crossbar have to have to be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar have to have to be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.

The aim have to have to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The aim place have to have to be delimited at ground level by a aim backboard and two sideboards of height 460 millimetres (18 in). Affixed to these boards, the posts and crossbar is a net to quit the ball.eight

Hockey nets can come in distinct dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Typical dimensions for a popular field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The incredibly very first hockey objectives have been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (5.5 m) apart” but have been lowered to 4 yards (3.7 m) apart in the 1886 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the incredibly very first hit at aim ought to not cross the aim-line bigger than 18 inches (460 mm)”. This saw the introduction of a sideboard and backboard to the objectives which are now mandatory.34

Circle

A view of the penalty circle (sturdy line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes completely a lot more than the aim line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. In addition, the circle marks the place a goalkeeper could play the ball with any portion of his physique and the place specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender outcomes in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively utilised even although the place is definitely formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the aim line, connected to two 14.63-metre (16 yd) quadrant arcs.910

The 1876 suggestions stated that “no objectives shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of far a lot more than 15 yards (14 m) from the nearest goalpost”. A visible “striking circle” with “radius of 15 yards” was codified in 1886.34 The radius of the circle was enhanced to 16 yards (15 m) in 1951 for men’s hockey and 1968 for women’s hockey.5 Any no expense-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly distinct suggestions from other men and women concerning other players’ distance a broken circle 5 m from the penalty circle denotes this spot.ten

A penalty spot is centrally positioned straight in front of the aim and utilised for a penalty stroke. The spot is 150 mm in diameter and its centre is six.475 m from the outdoors of the aim line.ten Penalty strokes have been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a distinct goal3 they have been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from aim. In 1973, a stroke could also be awarded for a deliberate foul in the circle and the spot was moved to 7 yards (six.4 m) from aim the following year.5

Other markings

Simon Gougnard prepares to take a penalty corner from the ten m mark. The 5 m line above demarcates the closest position a defender could stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The start off out of every single period of play and resumption of play following a aim starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also utilised for the obselete offside rule.3

Every single and every single half of the pitch is then divided as soon as a lot more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every single back line. Historically, this was incredibly very first utilised to resume play quickly immediately after the ball passed a lot more than the back line and marked by flags at the side of the pitch. In 1949, deliberate defensive offenses in this place resulted in a penalty corner. From 1961, players on the defensive group who have been not involved at the penalty corner stood behind this line (this was then moved to the half-way line two years later). The line was also utilised for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and no expense-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Offered that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been utilised for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone a lot more than the back line (this replaced extended corners).13

There are added markings 300 mm extended and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every single aim post. These are relevant at a penalty corner the former is the mark from which the attacking group demands the penalty corner and the latter is the closest position which a defender could stand. These marks had been 5 and ten yards (4.six and 9.1 m) in earlier versions of the suggestions.3 There is a associated mark 5 m from along the side line (from specifically exactly where extended corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the big of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings specifically exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits a lot less complicated ball handle and this in itself assists to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies drastically significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes a lot less complicated to stick to, as appropriately as becoming a a lot more swiftly spectacle and drastically far a lot more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on all-organic grass turf. On the other hand, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) made artificial pitches mandatory at all substantial competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time season Olympics in Montreal was the incredibly very first of these on the other hand at this time couple of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Although it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-organic turf all national competitions and international matches have to have to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Planet Cup, have to have a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. On the other hand, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a extended-term sustainable choice and solution elite surfaces that do not have to have water are becoming researched.20

There are three most critical varieties of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mostly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, demands irrigation or watering to keep clear of pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be drastically significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for portion of the pile depth

    • Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibers can be longer and drastically significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for 1 hundred% of the pile depth

On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf reduce friction and raise the speed at which the game can be played. On the other hand, these pitches have to have watering just prior to, by means of and quickly immediately after the game and upkeep charges are critical.

Sand-dressed pitches expense far a lot more than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. On the other hand, a multi-objective surface proper for sports such as association football and tennis is frequently necessary and hockey could not be the predominant sport. There are a lot of distinct specifications and categorizations for artificial turf such as shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn out to be nicely-liked, particularly for football, but these do not frequently meet the FIH’s test criteria they are frequently also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet Hockey magazine reported on the incredibly very first hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and pointed out the surface had “huge benefits”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, pointed out that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, appropriate-hop action.”28 On the other hand, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory significantly favored far a lot more affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Prior to the switch to an artificial surface the Indian men’s hockey group have been dominant, winning seven of the eight Olympic gold medals amongst 1928 and 1964.28 In 1996, Indian hockey player Ajit Pal Singh stated that regardless of its size ” can afford only 12 or so Artificial Turf fields”.Sardara Singh, captain of the Indian men’s hockey group, pointed out that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the incredibly very first time at the age of 19 or 20 and come across it tricky to adapt.”29 On the other hand, the Pakistan hockey group have performed appropriately following the modify of surface regardless of the nation becoming worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the modify of surface, Ruskin pointed out that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey