Field Hockey pitch Nature’s Valley

Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players considerably a lot more manage of the ball. Coupled with enhanced ball speed, hockey has turn into a faster and considerably a lot more thrilling game.

Extra facts 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-organic 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 significant 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 form 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 a lot more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball have to completely 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 suggestions in England, the typical dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the truth 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 employed 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 named 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 genuinely should really 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 possibly possibly be a distinctive surface for the final meter. All line markings have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every and each and every corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no considerably a lot 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 really initial recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been creating 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) 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 option 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 genuinely should really be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an selection colour. The London 2012 Olympics started a new trend for blue hockey pitches, primarily since 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 typical for certified field hockey tournaments.

Aim

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 prime rated by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts have to be 3.66 metres apart, and the reduce 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 distinctive dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the objective is. Regular dimensions for a typical field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The really initial hockey targets 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 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the really initial hit at objective genuinely should really not cross the objective-line bigger 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 completely a lot more than the objective line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Additionally, the circle marks the area a goalkeeper may possibly possibly play the ball with any element of his physique and the area specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender added benefits in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively employed regardless of the truth that the area is in truth 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 considerably 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 enhanced to 16 yards (15 m) in 1951 for men’s hockey and 1968 for women’s hockey.5 Any expense-totally free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly distinctive suggestions from other people 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 objective and employed 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 certain 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 possibly possibly stand.

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

Each and every and 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 each and every back line. Historically, this was really initial employed to resume play quickly 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 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 employed for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and expense-totally free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Thinking about that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been employed 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 every and each and every objective post. These are relevant at a penalty corner the former is the mark from which the attacking group calls for 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 comparable mark 5 m from along the side line (from specifically exactly where lengthy corners have been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the prime rated of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings specifically exactly where the objective posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits significantly less complex ball manage and this in itself assists to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which signifies considerably significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game hence becomes significantly less complex to comply with, as nicely as acquiring a faster spectacle and significantly considerably a lot more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was made on all-organic grass turf. Getting mentioned that, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created artificial pitches mandatory at all significant competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the really initial of these on the other hand at this time handful of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even though it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-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, demand a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. Getting mentioned that, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and selection elite surfaces that do not demand water are acquiring researched.20

There are three principal sorts of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mostly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, demands irrigation or watering to remain away from pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be considerably 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 considerably significantly less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for 1 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. Getting mentioned that, these pitches demand watering prior to, by means of and quickly following the game and upkeep charges are considerable.

Sand-dressed pitches expense considerably a lot more than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Getting mentioned that, a multi-objective surface proper for sports like association football and tennis is usually required and hockey may possibly possibly not be the predominant sport. There are rather a handful of distinctive specifications and categorizations for artificial turf like shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn into nicely-liked, specially for football, but these do not usually meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually as nicely inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet Hockey magazine reported on the really initial hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and stated the surface had “massive constructive elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, appropriate-hop action.”28 Getting mentioned that, it has been stated that the option to make artificial surfaces mandatory tremendously favored considerably a lot more affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 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 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 really initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and learn it hard to adapt.”29 Getting mentioned that, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the adjust of surface regardless of the nation acquiring worse off economically and acquiring fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the adjust of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey