Field Hockey pitch Kirkwood

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 create into a a lot more quickly and additional fascinating game.

A lot a lot more information 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 presently it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came for the duration of the 1970s and was produced mandatory for essential competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and objective specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Recommendations of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch sort element of the place 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 place. A ball should really totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball should really wholly cross the objective line prior to a objective is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the frequent dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (contemplating the truth that 1998), even though the use of the imperial terms remains prevalent in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are produced use of 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 objective posts is recognized as the objective line. The side line should really measure 91.40 m and the back line truly should really measure 55.00 m. There should really be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which could possibly be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings should really be white and 75 millimeters wide. In each 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 have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998. The 1st recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been functioning with at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches have been to be “100–150 yards (91–137 m) lengthy and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Recommendations by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “one particular hundred yards lengthy 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 decision 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 truly should really 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, just due to the fact blue turf assists 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 frequent for skilled field hockey tournaments.

Objective

A hockey objective at the 1960 Summer time time 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 top by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts should really be 3.66 metres apart, and the decrease edge of the crossbar should really be two.14 metres (7 ft) above the ground. The goalposts and crossbar should really be white and rectangular in shape with width 50 millimetres and a depth of 50 to 75 millimeters (.

The objective should really be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The objective place should really 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 diverse dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the objective is. Common dimensions for a frequent field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The 1st hockey targets 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 1st hit at objective truly should really not cross the objective-line higher than 18 inches (460 mm)”. This saw the introduction of a sideboard and backboard to the targets 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 objective is scored when the ball passes totally a lot 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 place a goalkeeper could possibly play the ball with any element of his physique and the place precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender advantages in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively produced use of even though the place is primarily 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 suggestions stated that “no targets 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-cost-free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse suggestions from other folks relating to 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 produced use of 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 unique 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 could possibly stand.

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

Each single 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 1st produced use of to resume play instantly 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 place 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 produced use of for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and price-cost-free-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Taking into consideration that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been produced use of for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone a lot more 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 each 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 could possibly 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 equivalent mark 5 m from along the side line (from precisely exactly where lengthy corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the top 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 a lot simpler ball handle and this in itself assists to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which signifies a lot significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game consequently becomes a lot simpler to stick to, as nicely as becoming a a lot more quickly spectacle and significantly additional fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was produced on organic grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) produced artificial pitches mandatory at all essential competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the 1st of these nonetheless at this time handful of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Regardless of the truth that it is nonetheless permissible to play on organic turf all national competitions and international matches should really be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Globe Cup, demand a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and choice elite surfaces that do not demand water are becoming researched.20

There are three big types of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mostly 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 a lot 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 a lot significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for one particular hundred% of the pile depth

On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf reduce friction and increase the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches demand watering prior to, for the duration of and instantly just after the game and upkeep expenditures are considerable.

Sand-dressed pitches value additional 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 suitable for sports such as association football and tennis is commonly anticipated and hockey could possibly not be the predominant sport. There are lots of diverse 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 create into typical, particularly for football, but these do not commonly meet the FIH’s test criteria they are commonly as properly inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe 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 “large good elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, correct-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the decision to make artificial surfaces mandatory tremendously favored additional affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 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 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 1st time at the age of 19 or 20 and come across it truly challenging to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the alter of surface regardless of the nation becoming worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the alter of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey