Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players a lot much more handle of the ball. Coupled with elevated ball speed, hockey has come to be a much more swiftly and a lot much more thrilling game.

Further facts and information 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-all-natural turf (grass) but presently it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came by means of the 1970s and was created mandatory for substantial competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and aim specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Suggestions of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch sort 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 much more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball ought to entirely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball ought to wholly cross the aim line just prior to a aim is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the common dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (offered that 1998), regardless of the truth that the use of the imperial terms remains widespread 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 amongst the aim posts is recognized as the aim line. The side line ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought 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 might nicely be a several surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In each and every and every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no a lot 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 quite initial recorded recommendations 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”. Suggestions 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 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 present 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, for the cause that blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch by means of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the common for certified field hockey tournaments.

Objective

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer season season Olympics. The aim 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 most effective by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the lowered 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 quit the ball.eight

Hockey nets can come in several dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Widespread dimensions for a common field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The quite initial hockey objectives 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 quite initial hit at aim ought to not cross the aim-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 (sturdy line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes entirely much more 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 might nicely play the ball with any element 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 utilized regardless of the truth that the area is primarily 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 recommendations stated that “no objectives shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of a lot 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 elevated 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 several recommendations from other folks relating 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 utilized 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 specific 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 might nicely stand.

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

Each single half of the pitch is then divided when much more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from each and every and every single back line. Historically, this was quite initial utilized 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 utilized for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 At present, there are detailed recommendations with regards to fouls and definitely totally free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Due to the truth 2015, the 23 metre line has also been utilized for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone much 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 and every and every single aim 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 might nicely 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 connected 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 most effective of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings precisely exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits significantly less complex ball handle and this in itself assists to lessen the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies significantly significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game for that reason becomes significantly less complex to comply with, as correctly as receiving a much more swiftly spectacle and a terrific deal a lot much more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was designed on all-all-natural grass turf. Even so, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created artificial pitches mandatory at all substantial competitions.17 The 1976 Summer season season Olympics in Montreal was the quite initial of these obtaining mentioned that 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 all-all-natural 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, get in touch with for a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. Even so, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and choice elite surfaces that do not get in touch with for water are receiving researched.20

There are three most critical types of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mostly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, demands irrigation or watering to keep away from 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 one particular hundred% of the pile depth

On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf lessen friction and enhance the speed at which the game can be played. Even so, these pitches get in touch with for watering just prior to, by means of and following the game and upkeep costs are critical.

Sand-dressed pitches expense a lot 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-objective surface suitable for sports which consists of association football and tennis is typically required and hockey might nicely not be the predominant sport. There are a lot of several specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which consists of shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Not as well lengthy ago, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have come to be nicely-recognized, especially for football, but these do not normally meet the FIH’s test criteria they are typically also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet Hockey magazine reported on the quite initial hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and stated the surface had “substantial rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, appropriate-hop action.”28 Even so, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory considerably favored a lot much 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 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 quite initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and come across it difficult to adapt.”29 Even so, the Pakistan hockey group have performed correctly following the alter of surface in spite of the nation receiving worse off economically and receiving 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