Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players more deal with of the ball. Coupled with enhanced ball speed, hockey has develop to be a faster and more thrilling game.

A great deal a lot 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 organic turf (grass) but nowadays it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came for the duration of the 1970s and was created mandatory for key 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 sort 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 a lot more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball have to completely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball have to wholly cross the aim line prior to a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the typical 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 frequent 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 on).

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 amongst the aim posts is identified as the aim line. The side line have to measure 91.40 m and the back line need to seriously measure 55.00 m. There have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may possibly possibly be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 initial recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been creating 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) lengthy and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Recommendations by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “one particular hundred yards lengthy 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 need to seriously be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an selection colour. The London 2012 Olympics started a new trend for blue hockey pitches, because blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch for the duration of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the typical for certified 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 top by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts have to be 3.66 metres apart, and the lessen edge of the crossbar have to be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar have to be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.

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

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

The initial hockey objectives have been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (5.5 m) apart” but have been decreased to 4 yards (3.7 m) apart in the 1886 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the initial hit at aim need to seriously 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 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 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 outcomes in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly utilised even although the area is basically 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 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 certainly absolutely free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse suggestions from other people today 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 may possibly possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The commence 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

Each half of the pitch is then divided as soon as once again 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 initial utilised to resume play suitable 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 area 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 Now, there are detailed suggestions with regards to fouls and certainly absolutely free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Thinking about the reality 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 lengthy corners).13

There are added markings 300 mm lengthy 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 needs 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 suggestions.3 There is a associated mark 5 m from along the side line (from precisely exactly where lengthy corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the top of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings precisely exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits significantly less difficult ball deal with and this in itself assists to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests significantly significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes significantly less difficult to stick to, as properly as receiving a faster spectacle and drastically more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was produced on organic grass turf. Getting mentioned that, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created artificial pitches mandatory at all key competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time handful of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even although it is nonetheless permissible to play on organic turf all national competitions and international matches have to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Planet Cup, demand a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. Getting mentioned that, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable decision and selection elite surfaces that do not demand water are receiving researched.20

There are three important types of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mostly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, wants irrigation or watering to maintain away from pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be significantly 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 significantly significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for one particular hundred% of the pile depth

On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf reduce friction and increase the speed at which the game can be played. Getting mentioned that, these pitches demand watering prior to, for the duration of and suitable immediately after the game and upkeep charges are significant.

Sand-dressed pitches expense more than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Getting mentioned that, a multi-objective surface suitable for sports which involves association football and tennis is commonly anticipated and hockey may possibly possibly not be the predominant sport. There are rather a handful of diverse specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which involves 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 develop to be effectively recognized, specifically for football, but these do not ordinarily meet the FIH’s test criteria they are commonly as effectively inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet 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 pointed out the surface had “enormous added positive aspects”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, pointed out that “A slow, analytical game gave way to one particular distinct of nonstop, correct-hop action.”28 Getting mentioned that, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory significantly favored more affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Just just before 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 in spite 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 initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and receive it tough to adapt.”29 Getting mentioned that, the Pakistan hockey group have performed properly following the adjust of surface in spite of the nation receiving worse off economically and receiving fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the adjust of surface, Ruskin pointed out that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey