Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Far much more details 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 organic turf (grass) but at the moment it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came in the course of the 1970s and was created mandatory for massive competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and aim specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Recommendations of Hockey”.

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

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the common dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (contemplating the truth that 1998), whilst the use of the imperial terms remains common in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are produced 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 identified as 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 definitely really 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 may possibly be a diverse surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In each corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 1st recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been producing 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”. Recommendations 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 Recommendations 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 suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play definitely really should 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, just due to the fact blue turf aids television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch in the course of gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the common for skilled field hockey tournaments.

Target

A hockey aim at the 1960 Summer time time 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 leading rated by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the reduce 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 quit 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. Prevalent dimensions for a common field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The 1st 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 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the 1st hit at aim definitely really should not cross the aim-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 (sturdy line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes totally much more than the aim line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Furthermore, the circle marks the place a goalkeeper may possibly play the ball with any aspect of his physique and the place specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender final benefits in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly produced use of whilst 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 suggestions stated that “no targets shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of 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 certainly free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly diverse suggestions from other folks relating 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 aim and produced 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 aim 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 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 may possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The begin off of each period of play and resumption of play following a aim starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also produced use of for the obselete offside rule.3

Each half of the pitch is then divided after once more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from each back line. Historically, this was 1st produced use of to resume play straight away 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 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 produced use of for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed suggestions with regards to fouls and certainly free of charge-hits in the 23 metre location of the pitch.12 Provided that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been produced use of 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 aim 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 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 leading rated of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings specifically exactly where the aim posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits significantly less complicated ball handle and this in itself aids to reduce the quantity of infringements of the rules—which suggests substantially much less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a outcome becomes significantly less complicated to comply with, as successfully as having a faster spectacle and a good deal more fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on organic grass turf. On the other hand, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) created artificial pitches mandatory at all massive competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the 1st of these nonetheless at this time handful of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even 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 Planet Cup, get in touch with for a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. On the other hand, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed 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 most significant sorts of artificial hockey pitch surface:

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

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

    • Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibers can be longer and substantially much 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 raise the speed at which the game can be played. On the other hand, these pitches get in touch with for watering ahead of, in the course of and straight away following the game and upkeep charges are significant.

Sand-dressed pitches cost 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-objective surface proper for sports like association football and tennis is usually required and hockey may possibly not be the predominant sport. There are really a handful of diverse 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 create into preferred, in certain for football, but these do not usually meet the FIH’s test criteria they are usually also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Planet 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 pointed out the surface had “substantial rewards”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, pointed out that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, correct-hop action.”28 On the other hand, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory substantially favored more 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 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, pointed out that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the 1st time at the age of 19 or 20 and uncover it definitely tough to adapt.”29 On the other hand, the Pakistan hockey group have performed successfully following the transform of surface in spite of the nation having worse off economically and acquiring fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the transform of surface, Ruskin pointed out that “for India it was like starting much more than, with all nations even in field hockey