Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

A lot far more specifics on Field Hockey pitch and creating 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 at the moment it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came by way of the 1970s and was developed mandatory for essential competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and aim specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Suggestions of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch variety aspect 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 completely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball ought to wholly cross the aim line ahead of a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the regular dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the reality 1998), although the use of the imperial terms remains widespread 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 referred to as the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this in in between the aim posts is recognized as the aim line. The side line ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line truly should really 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 well possibly be a a variety of surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every single and each corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no significantly far more 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 1st recorded recommendations represented what London clubs had been operating with at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches had been to be “100–150 yards (91–137 m) lengthy and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Suggestions 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 Suggestions 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 present width of 60 yards was written into the recommendations.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play truly should really be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an alternative colour. The London 2012 Olympics started a new trend for blue hockey pitches, primarily mainly because blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch by way of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the regular for specialist field hockey tournaments.

Target

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

Objectives consist of two upright posts placed equidistant from the center of the backline, joined at the very best 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 a variety of dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Typical dimensions for a regular field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The 1st hockey ambitions 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 1st hit at aim truly should really not cross the aim-line bigger than 18 inches (460 mm)”. This saw the introduction of a sideboard and backboard to the ambitions 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 far 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 well possibly play the ball with any aspect 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 although the area is in reality 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 ambitions shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of significantly far 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 absolutely free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly a variety of recommendations from other folks 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 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 had been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a distinct 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 well possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The commence of every single and each 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 single half of the pitch is then divided as soon as once more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every single and each back line. Historically, this was 1st utilised to resume play just 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 utilised for the offside rule in in between 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 These days, there are detailed recommendations with regards to fouls and absolutely free of charge-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Taking into consideration the reality that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been utilised for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone far more than the back line (this replaced lengthy corners).13

There are far more markings 300 mm lengthy and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every single and each 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 well 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 equivalent mark 5 m from along the side line (from precisely exactly where lengthy corners had been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the very best 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 much less complex ball handle and this in itself assists to lower the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies substantially much less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes much less complex to stick to, as successfully as becoming a far more swiftly spectacle and a fantastic deal significantly far more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was made on organic grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all essential competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time season Olympics in Montreal was the 1st of these even so at this time handful of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 In spite of the reality that it is nonetheless permissible to play on 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, get in touch with for a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and alternative elite surfaces that do not get in touch with for water are becoming researched.20

There are three major 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 steer clear of pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be substantially much less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for aspect of the pile depth

    • Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibers can be longer and substantially much 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 lower friction and raise the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches get in touch with for watering ahead of, by way of and just following the game and upkeep charges are considerable.

Sand-dressed pitches expense significantly far more 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 which consists of association football and tennis is ordinarily necessary and hockey may well possibly not be the predominant sport. There are rather a handful of a variety of specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which consists of shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Not as well lengthy ago, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn out to be preferred, in distinct for football, but these do not ordinarily meet the FIH’s test criteria they are ordinarily as effectively inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe Hockey magazine reported on the 1st hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and described the surface had “big positive aspects”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, described that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, precise-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory drastically favored significantly far more affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Just ahead of the switch to an artificial surface the Indian men’s hockey group had been dominant, winning seven of the eight Olympic gold medals in in between 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, described that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the 1st time at the age of 19 or 20 and come across it challenging to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed successfully following the adjust of surface in spite of the nation becoming worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the adjust of surface, Ruskin described that “for India it was like starting far more than, with all nations even in field hockey