Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

More information 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 all-all-natural turf (grass) but right now it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came by way of the 1970s and was developed mandatory for crucial competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and goal specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Suggestions of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch variety aspect 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 need to have to totally cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball need to have to wholly cross the goal line just prior to a goal is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the typical dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (mainly because 1998), although the use of the imperial terms remains standard in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are created use of 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 in involving the goal posts is recognized as the goal line. The side line need to have to measure 91.40 m and the back line really should definitely measure 55.00 m. There need to have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may possibly possibly be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings need to have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In just about every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no far a lot more 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 pretty initially recorded suggestions represented what London clubs had been generating use of 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 decision was reversed in 1909.5 In 1975, the current width of 60 yards was written into the suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play really should 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, considering that blue turf aids 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 typical for specialist field hockey tournaments.

Aim

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

The goal need to have to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The goal area need to have to be delimited at ground level by a goal 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 goal is. Normal dimensions for a typical field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The pretty initially hockey ambitions 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 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the pretty initially hit at goal really should definitely not cross the goal-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 (powerful line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A goal is scored when the ball passes totally a lot more than the goal 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 possibly possibly play the ball with any aspect of his physique and the area precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender advantages in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively created use of although the area is definitely formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the goal 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 far a lot 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 elevated to 16 yards (15 m) in 1951 for men’s hockey and 1968 for women’s hockey.5 Any no cost of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse suggestions 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 goal and created 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 goal line.ten Penalty strokes had been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a particular goal3 they had been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from goal. 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 goal 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 possibly possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The start out off of just about every single period of play and resumption of play following a goal starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also created use of for the obselete offside rule.3

Every and just about every half of the pitch is then divided as soon as a lot more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from just about every single back line. Historically, this was pretty initially created use of to resume play following 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 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 created use of for the offside rule in involving 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 At present, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and no cost of charge-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Contemplating that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been created 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 just about every single goal 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 possibly 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 had 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 lengthy markings precisely exactly where the goal posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits easier ball handle and this in itself aids to lessen the quantity of infringements of the rules—which indicates considerably significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes easier to stick to, as nicely as receiving a a lot more swiftly spectacle and a excellent deal far a lot more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on all-all-natural grass turf. On the other hand, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all crucial competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time season Olympics in Montreal was the pretty initially of these nonetheless at this time couple of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even though it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-all-natural turf all national competitions and international matches need to have to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Globe Cup, need to have a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. On the other hand, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a lengthy-term sustainable decision and choice elite surfaces that do not need to have water are receiving researched.20

There are three crucial varieties of artificial hockey pitch surface:

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

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

    • Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibers can be longer and considerably 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 lessen friction and raise the speed at which the game can be played. On the other hand, these pitches need to have watering just prior to, by way of and following the game and upkeep charges are substantial.

Sand-dressed pitches cost far a lot more 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-target surface suitable for sports like association football and tennis is generally anticipated and hockey may possibly possibly not be the predominant sport. There are several diverse specifications and categorizations for artificial turf like shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Not as well extended ago, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have create into properly identified, in unique for football, but these do not ordinarily meet the FIH’s test criteria they are generally also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe Hockey magazine reported on the pretty initially 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 advantages”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, correct-hop action.”28 On the other hand, it has been stated that the decision to make artificial surfaces mandatory tremendously favored far a lot more 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 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 pretty initially time at the age of 19 or 20 and uncover it difficult to adapt.”29 On the other hand, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely 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 stated that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey