Field Hockey pitch Pearly Beach

Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players far additional handle of the ball. Coupled with elevated ball speed, hockey has turn into a additional quickly and far additional fascinating game.

Further details and details 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 all-organic turf (grass) but these days it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came all through the 1970s and was made mandatory for considerable 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 form 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 additional than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball require to completely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball require to wholly cross the objective line ahead of a objective is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the recommendations in England, the standard dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the fact 1998), even even though the use of the imperial terms remains frequent 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 objective posts is identified as the objective line. The side line require to measure 91.40 m and the back line have to measure 55.00 m. There require to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may possibly nicely be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings require to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In just about every single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no far 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 initial recorded recommendations represented what London clubs have been operating 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 current width of 60 yards was written into the recommendations.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play have to 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, due to the fact blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch all through gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the standard for skilled field hockey tournaments.

Objective

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

The objective require to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The objective area require 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 quit 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. Frequent dimensions for a standard field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The initial 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 recommendations. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the initial hit at objective have to 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 completely additional 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 possibly nicely play the ball with any portion of his physique and the area precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender final final results in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly created use of even even though the area is in reality 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 targets shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of far 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 entirely totally free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse recommendations from other people with regards 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 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 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 possibly nicely stand.

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

Every single single half of the pitch is then divided as soon as once 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 initial created use of to resume play promptly just after the ball passed additional 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 created use of for the offside rule in involving 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Now, there are detailed recommendations regarding fouls and entirely totally free-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Thinking of the reality that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been created use of for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone additional 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 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 possibly 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 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 prime 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 significantly less challenging ball handle and this in itself assists to lower the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies drastically significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes significantly less challenging to stick to, as effectively as having a additional quickly spectacle and a good deal far additional fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was designed on all-organic grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) made artificial pitches mandatory at all considerable competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time season Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time couple of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Although it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-organic turf all national competitions and international matches require 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-mainly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and selection elite surfaces that do not get in touch with for water are having researched.20

There are three major types of artificial hockey pitch surface:

   • Unfilled or water-mainly primarily based – artificial fibers that are densely packed for stabilization, requirements irrigation or watering to protect against pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be drastically 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 drastically 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 lower friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches get in touch with for watering ahead of, all through and promptly just after the game and upkeep charges are considerable.

Sand-dressed pitches expense far 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-target surface suitable for sports which incorporates association football and tennis is usually necessary and hockey may possibly nicely not be the predominant sport. There are various diverse specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which incorporates 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-identified, especially for football, but these do not typically meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually as nicely inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet Hockey magazine reported on the initial hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and pointed out the surface had “enormous good elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, pointed out 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 far additional affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Just just before the switch to an artificial surface the Indian men’s hockey group have 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 regardless of its size ” can afford only 12 or so Artificial Turf fields”.Sardara Singh, captain of the Indian men’s hockey group, pointed out that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and receive it challenging to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed effectively following the alter of surface regardless of the nation having worse off economically and acquiring fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the alter of surface, Ruskin pointed out that “for India it was like starting additional than, with all nations even in field hockey