Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Far far more specifics 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 all through the 1970s and was made mandatory for major 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 kind element of the area 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 far more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball ought to totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball ought to wholly cross the aim line just just before a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the widespread dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the truth 1998), in spite of the truth that the use of the imperial terms remains standard in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are employed 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 named the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this involving the aim posts is identified as the aim line. The side line ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought to definitely measure 55.00 m. There ought to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may possibly possibly be a several surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In just about every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no added than 300 mm square is attached to a post of height 1.20–1.50 m.

Historically, the pitch dimensions had been imperial and had been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998. The initial recorded recommendations represented what London clubs had been applying at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches had 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 option was reversed in 1909.5 In 1975, the current width of 60 yards was written into the recommendations.34

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

Aim

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer time time 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 significant by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the lessen edge of the crossbar ought to be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar ought to be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.

The aim ought to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The aim area ought 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 cease the ball.eight

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

The initial hockey objectives had been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (5.5 m) apart” but had been lowered to 4 yards (3.7 m) apart in the 1886 recommendations. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the initial hit at aim ought to definitely not cross the aim-line higher 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 (robust line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes totally far more than the aim line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. On major of that, the circle marks the area a goalkeeper may possibly possibly play the ball with any element of his physique and the area precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender added benefits in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly employed in spite of the truth that the area is in truth 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 recommendations stated that “no objectives shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of added 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 totally free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly several recommendations from other people today relating to other players’ distance a broken circle 5 m from the penalty circle denotes this location.ten

A penalty spot is centrally positioned straight in front of the aim and employed 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 had been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a particular goal3 they had 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 may possibly possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The begin out of just about 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 employed for the obselete offside rule.3

Just about every single half of the pitch is then divided after far more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from just about every single back line. Historically, this was initial employed to resume play following the ball passed far more than the back line and marked by flags at the side of the pitch. In 1949, deliberate defensive offenses in this area resulted in a penalty corner. From 1961, players on the defensive group who had 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 employed for the offside rule involving 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 At the moment, there are detailed recommendations regarding fouls and totally free of charge-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Contemplating that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been employed for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone far 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 just about 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 may possibly possibly stand. These marks had been 5 and ten yards (4.six and 9.1 m) in earlier versions of the recommendations.3 There is a comparable mark 5 m from along the side line (from precisely exactly where extended corners had been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the significant of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings precisely exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits significantly less complex ball handle and this in itself aids to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies drastically significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes significantly less complex to adhere to, as correctly as finding a far more swiftly spectacle and significantly added intriguing from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was made on all-organic grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) made artificial pitches mandatory at all major competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time couple of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even although it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-organic turf all national competitions and international matches ought to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Globe Cup, demand a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a extended-term sustainable choice and choice elite surfaces that do not demand water are finding researched.20

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

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

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be drastically significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for element 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-mainly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf reduce friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches demand watering just just before, all through and following the game and upkeep charges are considerable.

Sand-dressed pitches expense added than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Nonetheless, a multi-objective surface proper for sports like association football and tennis is often essential and hockey may possibly possibly not be the predominant sport. There are various several specifications and categorizations for artificial turf like shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Not also lengthy ago, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn into effectively-recognized, particularly for football, but these do not normally meet the FIH’s test criteria they are often as effectively inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe Hockey magazine reported on the initial hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and talked about the surface had “massive rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, talked about that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the option to make artificial surfaces mandatory significantly favored added affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Prior to the switch to an artificial surface the Indian men’s hockey group had been dominant, winning seven of the eight Olympic gold medals involving 1928 and 1964.28 In 1996, Indian hockey player Ajit Pal Singh stated that in spite of its size ” can afford only 12 or so Artificial Turf fields”.Sardara Singh, captain of the Indian men’s hockey group, talked about that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and acquire it difficult to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed correctly following the adjust of surface in spite of the nation finding worse off economically and getting fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the adjust of surface, Ruskin talked about that “for India it was like starting far more than, with all nations even in field hockey