Field Hockey pitch Kayamandi

Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Extra 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 organic turf (grass) but presently it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came for the duration of the 1970s and was developed mandatory for essential competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and target specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Suggestions of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch variety portion 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 will have to totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball will have to wholly cross the target line ahead of a target 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 (for the reason that 1998), 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 on).

The hockey pitch is rectangular in shape. The longer perimeter edges are identified as the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this amongst the target posts is recognized as the target line. The side line will have to measure 91.40 m and the back line will have to measure 55.00 m. There will have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which might nicely be a distinct surface for the final meter. All line markings will have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In each 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998. The initial recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been producing 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”. Suggestions 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 Suggestions Board permitted the width of the pitch to be “up to 66 yards (60 m)” but this selection was reversed in 1909.5 In 1975, the present width of 60 yards was written into the suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play will have to 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, mostly for the reason that blue turf aids 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 knowledgeable field hockey tournaments.

Goal

A hockey target at the 1960 Summer time season Olympics. The target 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 prime rated by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts will have to be 3.66 metres apart, and the lowered edge of the crossbar will have to be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar will have to be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.

The target will have to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The target area will have to be delimited at ground level by a target 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 distinct dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the target is. Regular dimensions for a typical field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The initial hockey ambitions 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 initial hit at target will have to not cross the target-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 (powerful line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A target is scored when the ball passes totally a lot more than the target line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Moreover, the circle marks the area a goalkeeper might nicely play the ball with any portion of his physique and the area precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender final benefits in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively utilised although the area is definitely formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the target line, connected to two 14.63-metre (16 yd) quadrant arcs.910

The 1876 suggestions stated that “no ambitions 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 elevated 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 distinct suggestions from other persons concerning 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 target 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 target line.ten Penalty strokes have been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a unique goal3 they have been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from target. 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 target 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 might nicely stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The get began of each period of play and resumption of play following a target starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also utilised for the obselete offside rule.3

Each and every half of the pitch is then divided after once again by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from each back line. Historically, this was initial utilised to resume play suitable just 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 Presently, there are detailed suggestions with regards to fouls and absolutely free of charge-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Due to the truth 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 each target post. These are relevant at a penalty corner the former is the mark from which the attacking group calls for the penalty corner and the latter is the closest position which a defender might nicely 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 comparable mark 5 m from along the side line (from precisely exactly where extended corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the prime rated of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings precisely exactly where the target posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits a great deal much easier ball handle and this in itself aids to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which signifies a great deal significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game hence becomes a great deal much easier to comply with, as nicely as receiving a a lot more swiftly spectacle and substantially added intriguing from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on organic grass turf. Possessing mentioned that, 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 initial of these even so at this time handful of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even though it is nonetheless permissible to play on organic turf all national competitions and international matches will have 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. Possessing mentioned that, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a extended-term sustainable option and alternative elite surfaces that do not demand water are receiving researched.20

There are three big 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 avert pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be a great deal 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 a great deal 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 raise the speed at which the game can be played. Possessing mentioned that, these pitches demand watering ahead of, for the duration of and suitable just after the game and upkeep expenditures are essential.

Sand-dressed pitches cost added than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Possessing mentioned that, a multi-objective surface suitable for sports such as association football and tennis is often crucial and hockey might nicely not be the predominant sport. There are numerous distinct specifications and categorizations for artificial turf such as shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Not also extended ago, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn out to be nicely-identified, especially for football, but these do not usually meet the FIH’s test criteria they are often as nicely 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 described the surface had “large optimistic elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, described that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, precise-hop action.”28 Possessing mentioned that, it has been stated that the selection 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 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, described that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and find it definitely really hard to adapt.”29 Possessing mentioned that, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the modify of surface in spite of the nation receiving worse off economically and getting fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the modify of surface, Ruskin described that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey