Field Hockey pitch Kenton-on-Sea

Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Additional details 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 these days it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came in the course of the 1970s and was designed mandatory for important 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 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 extra 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 prior to a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the standard dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (thinking about the reality that 1998), although the use of the imperial terms remains prevalent 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 identified 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 ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line require to 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 be a numerous surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every and every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no extra 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 using 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”. Recommendations 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 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 present width of 60 yards was written into the suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play require 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, due to the reality blue turf aids television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch in the course of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the standard for certified field hockey tournaments.

Objective

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer season 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 key by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the reduce 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 numerous dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Prevalent dimensions for a standard 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 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 aim require to 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 extra 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 play the ball with any portion of his physique and the area specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender final final results in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively applied although the area is genuinely 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 extra 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 definitely totally free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly numerous suggestions from other people today 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 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 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 well stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The start of every and 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 applied for the obselete offside rule.3

Each and every half of the pitch is then divided when once more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every and every single back line. Historically, this was initial applied to resume play appropriate immediately after the ball passed extra 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 applied for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Nowadays, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and definitely totally free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Simply because 2015, the 23 metre line has also been applied for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone extra than the back line (this replaced extended corners).13

There are additional markings 300 mm extended and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every and every single aim post. These are relevant at a penalty corner the former is the mark from which the attacking group demands 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 suggestions.3 There is a comparable mark 5 m from along the side line (from specifically exactly where extended corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the key of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings specifically exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits easier ball handle and this in itself aids to reduce down the quantity of infringements of the rules—which indicates considerably much less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes easier to adhere to, as appropriately as receiving a faster spectacle and substantially extra fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was designed on organic grass turf. On the other hand, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) designed artificial pitches mandatory at all important competitions.17 The 1976 Summer season time Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time couple of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even although 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 Planet Cup, demand a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. On the other hand, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a extended-term sustainable selection and alternative elite surfaces that do not demand water are receiving researched.20

There are three key sorts of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mainly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, requires irrigation or watering to avoid pitch place on

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

    • Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibers can be longer and considerably much 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 down friction and increase the speed at which the game can be played. On the other hand, these pitches demand watering prior to, in the course of and appropriate immediately after the game and upkeep costs are significant.

Sand-dressed pitches expense extra than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. On the other hand, a multi-objective surface proper for sports such as association football and tennis is commonly anticipated and hockey may well not be the predominant sport. There are pretty a couple of numerous specifications and categorizations for artificial turf such as shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have develop to be frequent, particularly for football, but these do not ordinarily meet the FIH’s test criteria they are commonly 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 talked about the surface had “huge rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, talked about that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, precise-hop action.”28 On the other hand, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory drastically favored extra 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, talked about that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and find it difficult to adapt.”29 On the other hand, the Pakistan hockey group have performed appropriately following the transform of surface in spite of the nation receiving worse off economically and acquiring fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the transform of surface, Ruskin talked about that “for India it was like starting extra than, with all nations even in field hockey