Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

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

Far far more information 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-all-natural turf (grass) but presently it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came via the 1970s and was developed mandatory for considerable competitions in 1976. All the lines, markings and target specifications are outlined by the International Hockey Federation in “The Recommendations of Hockey”.

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

Due to the original formulation of the suggestions in England, the frequent dimensions of a hockey pitch had been initially expressed in imperial units. The suggestions are now expressed explicitly in metric dimensions (contemplating the truth that 1998), 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 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 amongst the target posts is recognized as the target line. The side line require to measure 91.40 m and the back line ought 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 might possibly be a distinctive surface for the final meter. All line markings require to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every single and each corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no a great deal far more than 300 mm square is attached to a post of height 1.20–1.50 m.

Historically, the pitch dimensions had been imperial and had been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998. The initially recorded suggestions represented what London clubs had been employing at the time. Surbiton Hockey Club’s minutes from 1876 stated that pitches had 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 “a single 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 selection 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 ought to be coloured green, ultramarine blue or signal blue. It is permitted for the run-off portion of the pitch to be an solution colour. The London 2012 Olympics started a new trend for blue hockey pitches, merely mainly because blue turf assists television viewers to clearly see the ball and markings on the hockey pitch via gameplay. Not all hockey pitches have to be blue, but a yellow ball on blue turf is now the frequent for certified field hockey tournaments.

Aim

A hockey target at the 1960 Summer time time Olympics. The target 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 top by a horizontal crossbar. The inner edges of the posts require to be 3.66 metres apart, and the decreased 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 target require to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The target place require to be delimited at ground level by a target 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 target is. Widespread dimensions for a frequent field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The initially hockey objectives had been “7 feet (two.1 m) tall posts placed six yards (5.5 m) apart” but had 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 initially hit at target ought to not cross the target-line bigger than 18 inches (460 mm)”. This saw the introduction of a sideboard and backboard to the objectives 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 target is scored when the ball passes totally far more than the target 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 might possibly play the ball with any portion of his physique and the place specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender rewards in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is extensively created use of even though the place is in truth formed by a 3.66-metre (4 yd) straight line, parallel to the target line, connected to two 14.63-metre (16 yd) quadrant arcs.910

The 1876 suggestions stated that “no objectives shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of a great deal far 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 completely free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly distinctive suggestions from other people today 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 target 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 target line.ten Penalty strokes had been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a certain goal3 they had been initially taken eight yards (7.3 m) from target. 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 target 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 possibly stand.

A half-way line, parallel to the back line, divides the pitch in two. The commence of every single and each period of play and resumption of play following a target 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 and each half of the pitch is then divided as soon as once again by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every single and each back line. Historically, this was initially created use of to resume play promptly immediately after the ball passed far 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 had 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 amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 These days, there are detailed suggestions regarding fouls and completely free of charge-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Contemplating that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been created use of for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone far 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 and each target 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 might 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 equivalent mark 5 m from along the side line (from specifically exactly where lengthy corners had been formerly taken) and a mark 14.six m along the side line indicating the level of the top of the penalty circle. There are also 150 mm lengthy markings specifically exactly where the target posts are situated.14

Artificial playing surface

“artificial grass permits a great deal a lot easier ball handle and this in itself assists to lessen the quantity of infringements of the rules—which implies a great deal significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game consequently becomes a great deal a lot easier to comply with, as properly as finding a far more immediately spectacle and substantially a great deal far more thrilling from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was developed on all-all-natural grass turf. Nonetheless, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all considerable competitions.17 The 1976 Summer time time Olympics in Montreal was the initially of these nonetheless at this time handful of players had observed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Even though it is nonetheless permissible to play on all-all-natural 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 Globe Cup, require a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. Nonetheless, due to water conservation efforts, this is not observed as a lengthy-term sustainable option and solution elite surfaces that do not require water are finding researched.20

There are three essential 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 stop pitch place on

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

On water-mainly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf lessen friction and boost the speed at which the game can be played. Nonetheless, these pitches require watering ahead of, via and promptly immediately after the game and upkeep costs are substantial.

Sand-dressed pitches cost a great deal far more 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 acceptable for sports which consists of association football and tennis is generally critical and hockey might possibly not be the predominant sport. There are a lot of distinctive specifications and categorizations for artificial turf which consists of 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 effectively-liked, particularly for football, but these do not generally meet the FIH’s test criteria they are generally also inconsistent and slow.27

Criticism

The Globe Hockey magazine reported on the initially hockey tournament played on an artificial pitch in 1975—a trial occasion in Montreal prior to the Olympics—and talked about the surface had “big optimistic elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, talked about that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single of nonstop, right-hop action.”28 Nonetheless, it has been stated that the selection to make artificial surfaces mandatory drastically favored a great deal far more affluent Western nations who could afford these new pitches.29 Ahead of the switch to an artificial surface the Indian men’s hockey group had 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, talked about that “hockey players in India play on astroturf [sic] for the initially time at the age of 19 or 20 and uncover it difficult to adapt.”29 Nonetheless, the Pakistan hockey group have performed properly following the transform of surface regardless of the nation finding worse off economically and possessing fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the transform of surface, Ruskin talked about that “for India it was like starting far more than, with all nations even in field hockey