Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players further manage of the ball. Coupled with elevated ball speed, hockey has turn out to be a a lot more swiftly and further thrilling game.

A great deal a lot more details 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 organic turf (grass) but at the moment it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came for the duration of the 1970s and was developed mandatory for huge 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 variety portion 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 ought to completely 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 standard dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The recommendations are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (thinking about that 1998), although 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 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 in amongst the aim posts is identified as the aim line. The side line ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line should 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 could be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every single single corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no further 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 recommendations represented what London clubs have been applying 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 selection 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 should 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 aids 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 standard for skilled field hockey tournaments.

Goal

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer time time Olympics. The aim 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 greatest by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the decreased 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 place 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 cease the ball.eight

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

The 1st hockey ambitions 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 1st hit at aim should not cross the aim-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 (robust line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes completely a lot 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 place a goalkeeper could play the ball with any portion of his physique and the place precisely exactly where an infringement by a defender outcomes in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively employed although the place is definitely 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 ambitions shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of further 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 absolutely free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse recommendations from other folks concerning 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 employed 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 distinct 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 could stand.

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

Each and every half of the pitch is then divided after a lot more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every single single back line. Historically, this was 1st employed 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 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 employed for the offside rule in amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed recommendations regarding fouls and entirely absolutely free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Since 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 further markings 300 mm lengthy and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every single single aim 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 could 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 greatest 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 difficult ball manage and this in itself aids to lower the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests considerably significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game therefore becomes significantly less difficult to comply with, as proficiently as receiving a a lot more swiftly spectacle and significantly further thrilling from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on organic grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all huge competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the 1st of these on the other hand at this time couple of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even though it is nonetheless permissible to play on organic 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 Globe Cup, have to have a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable resolution and choice elite surfaces that do not have to have water are receiving researched.20

There are three principal types of artificial hockey pitch surface:

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

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be considerably 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 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 lower friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches have to have watering just prior to, for the duration of and following the game and upkeep charges are substantial.

Sand-dressed pitches price tag further 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 proper for sports such as association football and tennis is usually important and hockey could not be the predominant sport. There are quite a few diverse specifications and categorizations for artificial turf such as shock absorption, surface rebound, friction, and strength outlined by the International Hockey Federation.26 Lately, longer-pile third-generation or 3G pitches have turn out to be properly identified, particularly for football, but these do not typically meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually also 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 talked about the surface had “huge rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, talked about that “A slow, analytical game gave way to 1 of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the selection to make artificial surfaces mandatory significantly favored further 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 in 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, talked about that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the 1st time at the age of 19 or 20 and find out it challenging to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed proficiently following the modify of surface regardless of the nation receiving worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the modify of surface, Ruskin talked about that “for India it was like starting a lot more than, with all nations even in field hockey