Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players far additional handle of the ball. Coupled with enhanced ball speed, hockey has turn out to be a additional swiftly and far additional thrilling game.

A lot additional information 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-all-natural 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 designed mandatory for most important competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and goal specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Recommendations of Hockey”.

All line markings on the pitch sort element 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 additional 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 goal line prior to a goal is scored.

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the standard dimensions of a hockey pitch have been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (due to the reality 1998), even though the use of the imperial terms remains frequent in some nations

Field of play on a hockey pitch

Colored pitches are applied 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 recognized as the side line, the opposing shorter edges are referred as the back line and the portion of this amongst the goal posts is recognized as the goal line. The side line ought to measure 91.40 m and the back line require 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 effectively be a special surface for the final meter. All line markings ought to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every and each and every 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 suggestions represented what London clubs have been using at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches have been to be “100–150 yards (91–137 m) extended and 50–80 yards (46–73 m) wide”. Recommendations by the Hockey Association of England in 1886 specified “a single hundred yards extended 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 current width of 60 yards was written into the suggestions.34

On artificial surfaces, the field of play require 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, basically simply because 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 certified field hockey tournaments.

Objective

A hockey goal at the 1960 Summer time season Olympics. The goal 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 ought to be 3.66 metres apart, and the lessen 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 goal ought to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The goal place ought to be delimited at ground level by a goal 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 special dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the goal is. Popular 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 decreased to 4 yards (3.7 m) apart in the 1886 suggestions. In 1987, a rule was introduced so that at penalty corners “the initial hit at goal require to not cross the goal-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 (powerful line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A goal is scored when the ball passes completely additional than the goal line but only if the ball was played by an offensive player in the penalty circle. Also, the circle marks the place a goalkeeper might effectively play the ball with any element of his physique and the place specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender positive aspects in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively applied even though the place is definitely formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the goal 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 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 enhanced to 16 yards (15 m) in 1951 for men’s hockey and 1968 for women’s hockey.5 Any price-totally free-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly special suggestions from other folks 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 goal and applied for a penalty stroke. The spot is 150 mm in diameter and its centre is six.475 m from the outdoors of the goal line.ten Penalty strokes have been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a unique goal3 they have been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from goal. 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 goal 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 effectively stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The commence off of every and each and every period of play and resumption of play following a goal starts with all players in the half they are defending. The line was also applied 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 every and each and every back line. Historically, this was initial applied to resume play following 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 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 applied for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Presently, there are detailed suggestions relating to fouls and price-totally free-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Due to the fact 2015, the 23 metre line has also been applied for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone additional than the back line (this replaced extended corners).13

There are additional markings 300 mm extended and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every and each and every goal 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 might effectively 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 extended 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 extended markings specifically exactly where the goal posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits a lot much easier ball handle and this in itself assists to lower the quantity of infringements of the rules—which indicates substantially much less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game consequently becomes a lot much easier to comply with, as nicely as having a additional swiftly spectacle and a lot far additional fascinating from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was designed on all-all-natural grass turf. On the other hand, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) designed artificial pitches mandatory at all most important competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time season Olympics in Montreal was the initial of these nonetheless at this time handful of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Regardless of the reality 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, demand a water-mostly primarily based playing surface. On the other hand, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a extended-term sustainable answer and choice elite surfaces that do not demand water are having 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, calls for irrigation or watering to remain away from pitch place on

    • Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibers can be substantially much less densely packed and sand supports the fibers for element 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 a single hundred% of the pile depth

On water-mostly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf lower friction and raise the speed at which the game can be played. On the other hand, these pitches demand watering prior to, all through and following the game and upkeep costs are substantial.

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. On the other hand, a multi-purpose surface suitable for sports which involves association football and tennis is normally needed and hockey might effectively not be the predominant sport. There are quite a few special specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which involves 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 effectively-liked, specially for football, but these do not frequently meet the FIH’s test criteria they are normally as effectively 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 stated the surface had “enormous benefits”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 On the other hand, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory tremendously favored far additional 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 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 initial time at the age of 19 or 20 and uncover it difficult to adapt.”29 On the other hand, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the modify of surface in spite of the nation having worse off economically and getting fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the modify of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like starting additional than, with all nations even in field hockey