Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?
The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players additional handle of the ball. Coupled with elevated ball speed, hockey has turn into a additional quickly and additional thrilling game.
Added facts and details on Field Hockey pitch and developing 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 presently it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came by way of the 1970s and was developed mandatory for large competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and objective specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Suggestions of Hockey”.
All line markings on the pitch type 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 additional than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball want to totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball want to wholly cross the objective line ahead of a objective is scored.
Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the popular dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (offered that 1998), in spite of the truth that the use of the imperial terms remains common in some nations
Field of play on a hockey pitch
Colored pitches are utilized 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 in involving the objective posts is recognized as the objective line. The side line want to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought to definitely measure 55.00 m. There want to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may well be a distinct surface for the final meter. All line markings want to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In just about every corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no additional 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Historically, the pitch dimensions had been imperial and had been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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) lengthy and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Suggestions by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “1 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 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, merely 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 popular for specialist field hockey tournaments.
Target
A hockey objective at the 1960 Summer season season Olympics. The objective is deeper at ground level with side and backboards about the base.
Ambitions consist of two upright posts placed equidistant from the center of the backline, joined at the important by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts want to be 3.66 metres apart, and the minimize edge of the crossbar want to be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar want to be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.
The objective want to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The objective area want to be delimited at ground level by a objective 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 objective is. Regular dimensions for a popular 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 decreased 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 objective ought to definitely not cross the objective-line bigger 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 (powerful line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.
A objective is scored when the ball passes totally additional than the objective line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Also, the circle marks the area a goalkeeper may well 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 extensively utilized in spite of the truth that the area is definitely formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the objective 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 additional 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 price-free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly distinct recommendations from other individuals with regards 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 objective and utilized for a penalty stroke. The spot is 150 mm in diameter and its centre is six.475 m from the outdoors of the objective line.ten Penalty strokes had been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a certain goal3 they had been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from objective. 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 objective 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 stand.
A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The start of just about every period of play and resumption of play following a objective starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also utilized for the obselete offside rule.3
Every and just about every half of the pitch is then divided after additional by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from just about every back line. Historically, this was initial utilized to resume play right away right after the ball passed additional 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 utilized for the offside rule in involving 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed recommendations regarding fouls and price-free of charge-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Offered that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been utilized for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone additional than the back line (this replaced lengthy corners).13
There are additional markings 300 mm lengthy and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from just about every objective 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 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 lengthy corners had been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the important of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings precisely exactly where the objective posts are situated.14
Artificial playing surface
“artificial grass permits easier ball handle and this in itself assists to lower the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests significantly significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game therefore becomes easier to stick to, as nicely as becoming a additional quickly spectacle and a wonderful deal additional intriguing from a spectator point of view.”
Historically, the game was developed on all-organic grass turf. Even so, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all large competitions.17 The 1976 Summer season season Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time couple of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 In spite of the truth that it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-organic turf all national competitions and international matches want 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. Even so, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable answer and choice elite surfaces that do not demand water are becoming 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, calls for irrigation or watering to stop 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 1 hundred% of the pile depth
On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf lower friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Even so, these pitches demand watering ahead of, by way of and right away right after the game and upkeep expenditures are vital.
Sand-dressed pitches price tag additional than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Even so, a multi-objective surface acceptable for sports which involves association football and tennis is usually necessary and hockey may well not be the predominant sport. There are various distinct specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which involves 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 into nicely-recognized, specifically for football, but these do not typically meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually also 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 rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, pointed out that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 Even so, it has been stated that the option to make artificial surfaces mandatory substantially favored additional affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Just 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 in involving 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, pointed out that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and come across it hard to adapt.”29 Even so, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the modify of surface regardless of the nation becoming worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the modify of surface, Ruskin pointed out that “for India it was like starting additional than, with all nations even in field hockey
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