Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Much more data on Field Hockey pitch and building there of.

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

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

Due to the original formulation of the guidelines in England, the common dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The guidelines are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (given that 1998), despite the fact that the use of the imperial terms remains widespread in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are applied 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 known 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 measure 91.40 m and the back line really should measure 55.00 m. There have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and three m at the backlines which might be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In each and every corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no 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Historically, the pitch dimensions had been imperial and had been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 initially recorded guidelines represented what London clubs had been making use of 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”. Guidelines by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “one hundred yards extended by 55 to 60 yards (50 to 55 m) wide”.34 In 1905, the International Guidelines Board permitted the width of the pitch to be “up to 66 yards (60 m)” but this selection was reversed in 1909.five In 1975, the existing width of 60 yards was written into the guidelines.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play really should be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an option colour. The London 2012 Olympics began a new trend for blue hockey pitches, for the reason that blue turf aids tv viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch throughout gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the common for specialist field hockey tournaments.

Purpose

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer time 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 top rated by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts have to be three.66 metres apart, and the reduced 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 location 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 diverse dimensions based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Standard dimensions for a common field hockey net are about three.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The initially hockey ambitions had been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (five.five m) apart” but had been lowered to four yards (three.7 m) apart in the 1886 guidelines. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the initially hit at aim really should not cross the aim-line larger 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 (strong line), the broken circle five m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes fully more than the aim line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Also, the circle marks the location a goalkeeper might play the ball with any portion of his physique and the location exactly where an infringement by a defender benefits in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly applied despite the fact that the location is in fact formed by a three.66-metre (four yd) straight line, parallel to the aim line, connected to two 14.63-metre (16 yd) quadrant arcs.910

The 1876 guidelines stated that “no ambitions shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of 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.five Any absolutely free-hit inside five m of the circle has slightly diverse guidelines from other folks regarding other players’ distance a broken circle five m from the penalty circle denotes this place.ten

A penalty spot is centrally positioned straight in front of the aim and applied 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 specific goal3 they had been initially taken eight yards (7.three 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.four m) from aim the following year.five

Other markings

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

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

Each and every half of the pitch is then divided once more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from each and every back line. Historically, this was initially applied to resume play immediately after the ball passed more than the back line and marked by flags at the side of the pitch. In 1949, deliberate defensive offenses in this location 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 applied for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.three Today, there are detailed guidelines with regards to fouls and absolutely free-hits in the 23 metre area of the pitch.12 Given that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been applied for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone 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 five m from each and every aim post. These are relevant at a penalty corner the former is the mark from which the attacking group requires the penalty corner and the latter is the closest position which a defender might stand. These marks had been five and ten yards (four.six and 9.1 m) in earlier versions of the guidelines.three There is a related mark five m from along the side line (from exactly where extended corners had been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the top rated of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits a lot easier ball handle and this in itself aids to lessen the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game hence becomes a lot easier to adhere to, as effectively as becoming a quicker spectacle and considerably far more intriguing from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was created on all-natural grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) produced artificial pitches mandatory at all significant competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time Olympics in Montreal was the initially of these even so at this time couple of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Despite the fact that it is nevertheless permissible to play on all-natural 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 Globe Cup, demand a water-primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a extended-term sustainable choice and option elite surfaces that do not demand water are becoming researched.20

There are 3 key sorts of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, demands irrigation or watering to keep away from pitch put on

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

On water-primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf lessen friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches demand watering ahead of, throughout and immediately after the game and upkeep expenses are substantial.

Sand-dressed pitches expense 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 appropriate for sports like association football and tennis is usually essential and hockey might not be the predominant sport. There are lots of diverse specifications and categorizations for artificial turf like shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have come to be common, particularly for football, but these do not typically meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe Hockey magazine reported on the initially hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and stated the surface had “huge positive aspects”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, accurate-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the selection to make artificial surfaces mandatory considerably favored far 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 had 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, stated that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initially time at the age of 19 or 20 and discover it challenging to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed effectively following the alter of surface regardless of the nation becoming worse off economically and getting fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the alter of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like beginning more than, with all nations even in field hockey