Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players far much more manage of the ball. Coupled with enhanced ball speed, hockey has create into a much more swiftly and far much more fascinating game.

Further details 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 at the moment it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came in the course of the 1970s and was created mandatory for key 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 kind 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 much more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball have to totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball have to wholly cross the objective line prior to a objective is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the typical dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the truth 1998), in spite of the truth that the use of the imperial terms remains preferred 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 referred to as the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this amongst the objective posts is recognized as the objective line. The side line have to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought to measure 55.00 m. There have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may perhaps maybe be a exclusive 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 much more 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 1st recorded recommendations represented what London clubs have been generating 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 “one particular 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 choice 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 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, given that blue turf assists 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 typical 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.

Objectives consist of two upright posts placed equidistant from the center of the backline, joined at the main by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts have to be 3.66 metres apart, and the decreased 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 objective have to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The objective area have 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 exclusive dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the objective is. Common dimensions for a typical field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The 1st hockey ambitions have been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (5.5 m) apart” but have 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 1st hit at objective ought to not cross the objective-line higher 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 objective is scored when the ball passes totally much more than the objective 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 perhaps maybe play the ball with any portion of his physique and the area specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender positive aspects in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly applied in spite of the truth that the area is basically 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 ambitions shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of far much 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 completely absolutely free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly exclusive recommendations from other people concerning other players’ distance a broken circle 5 m from the penalty circle denotes this spot.ten

A penalty spot is centrally positioned straight in front of the objective 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 objective 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 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 perhaps maybe stand.

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

Just about every half of the pitch is then divided as soon as much 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 1st applied to resume play following the ball passed much 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 applied for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Currently, there are detailed recommendations relating to fouls and completely absolutely free-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Thinking of that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been applied for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone much more than the back line (this replaced extended corners).13

There are much more markings 300 mm extended and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from each and 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 perhaps maybe 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 specifically exactly where extended corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the main of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm extended markings specifically exactly where the objective posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits substantially less difficult ball manage and this in itself assists to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests substantially significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes substantially less difficult to comply with, as nicely as becoming a much more swiftly spectacle and a terrific deal far much more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was made on organic grass turf. Even so, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created artificial pitches mandatory at all key competitions.17 The 1976 Summer season season Olympics in Montreal was the 1st of these possessing mentioned that at this time couple 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 have to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Planet Cup, require a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. Even so, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a extended-term sustainable resolution and choice elite surfaces that do not require water are becoming researched.20

There are three major sorts of artificial hockey pitch surface:

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

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

On water-mainly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf reduce friction and enhance the speed at which the game can be played. Even so, these pitches require watering prior to, in the course of and following the game and upkeep expenditures are substantial.

Sand-dressed pitches value far much more 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-purpose surface proper for sports which consists of association football and tennis is commonly anticipated and hockey may perhaps maybe not be the predominant sport. There are lots of exclusive specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which consists of shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have create into effectively-liked, specially for football, but these do not usually meet the FIH’s test criteria they are commonly as effectively inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet 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 stated the surface had “enormous added positive aspects”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 Even so, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory tremendously favored far much 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 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, stated that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the 1st time at the age of 19 or 20 and find out it difficult to adapt.”29 Even so, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the alter of surface in spite of the nation becoming worse off economically and obtaining fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the alter of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like starting much more than, with all nations even in field hockey