Why a Synthetic Hockey pitch?

The artificial surfaces of a synthetic hockey pitch give the players a lot much more manage of the ball. Coupled with elevated ball speed, hockey has create into a much more quickly and a lot much more thrilling game.

A lot much more 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 organic turf (grass) but these days it is predominantly played on an artificial turf. The transition onto artificial pitches came via the 1970s and was developed mandatory for significant 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 variety element 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 much more than the 23-metre (25-yard) line has occurred in the 23-metre area. A ball have to completely cross a boundary line to be out of play, and a ball have 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 (thinking about 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 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 referred to 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 have to measure 91.40 m and the back line want to measure 55.00 m. There have to be a minimum run-off of two m at the sidelines and 3 m at the backlines which may perhaps effectively be a distinct surface for the final meter. All line markings have to be white and 75 millimeters wide. In every and each corner of the pitch, a corner flag of no a lot much 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Historically, the pitch dimensions have been imperial and have been replaced by metric equivalents in 1998.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 initially recorded suggestions represented what London clubs have been employing 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 “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 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 want 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, for the explanation that blue turf aids 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 common for seasoned field hockey tournaments.

Objective

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

The aim have to be at least 1.20 m deep at ground level and at least .90 m deep at crossbar level. The aim area have 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 distinct dimensions primarily based on how deep at ground level and at crossbar level the aim is. Regular dimensions for a common field hockey net are about 3.7m (W) x two.1m (H) x 1.2m (D).7

The initially hockey objectives 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 initially hit at aim want to not cross the aim-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 (powerful line), the broken circle 5 m from it, and the penalty spot.

A aim is scored when the ball passes completely much 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 area a goalkeeper may perhaps effectively play the ball with any element of his physique and the area specifically exactly where an infringement by a defender advantages in a penalty corner. The terminology circle (or D) is broadly applied even though the area is fundamentally 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 objectives shall be permitted if the ball be hit from a distance of a lot much 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 elevated to 16 yards (15 m) in 1951 for men’s hockey and 1968 for women’s hockey.5 Any absolutely free of charge-hit inside 5 m of the circle has slightly distinct suggestions from other men and women relating 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 aim 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 aim line.ten Penalty strokes have been introduced in 1963 for deliberately stopping a particular 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 perhaps effectively stand.

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

Every single single half of the pitch is then divided after much more by a line, referred to as the 23 metre line or 25 yard line, positioned 22.90 m11 from every and each back line. Historically, this was initially applied to resume play just 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 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 applied for the offside rule amongst 1987 till the rule was abolished in 1996.3 Currently, there are detailed suggestions with regards to fouls and absolutely free of charge-hits in the 23 metre region of the pitch.12 Provided that 2015, the 23 metre line has also been applied for the attacking group to resume play when it has gone much more than the back line (this replaced lengthy corners).13

There are much more markings 300 mm lengthy and perpendicular to the back line that denote distances of ten m and 5 m from every and 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 perhaps 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 equivalent 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 hard ball manage and this in itself aids to decrease the quantity of infringements of the rules—which indicates considerably significantly less whistle and fewer stoppages. The game as a result becomes significantly less hard to stick to, as nicely as receiving a much more quickly spectacle and a lot a lot much more thrilling from a spectator point of view.”

Historically, the game was made on organic grass turf. Getting mentioned that, in 1976, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) developed artificial pitches mandatory at all significant competitions.17 The 1976 Summer season season Olympics in Montreal was the initially of these on the other hand at this time handful of players had noticed or played on synthetic pitches.18 Regardless of the reality that it is nonetheless permissible to play on organic turf all national competitions and international matches have to be played on an artificial surface.19 Elite-level competitions, such as the Olympic Games and Globe Cup, want a water-mainly primarily based playing surface. Getting mentioned that, due to water conservation efforts, this is not noticed as a lengthy-term sustainable choice and solution elite surfaces that do not want 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, requirements irrigation or watering to steer clear of pitch place on

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

On water-mainly primarily based pitches, shorter fibers and wetted turf decrease friction and enhance the speed at which the game can be played. Getting mentioned that, these pitches want watering ahead of, via and just following the game and upkeep expenditures are critical.

Sand-dressed pitches cost a lot much more than sand-filled pitches but are preferable for hockey as there is an absence of sand close to the playing surface. Getting mentioned that, a multi-objective surface acceptable for sports such as association football and tennis is often anticipated and hockey may perhaps effectively not be the predominant sport. There are lots of distinct 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 create into effectively-recognized, in distinct for football, but these do not commonly meet the FIH’s test criteria they are often as effectively 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 stated the surface had “substantial optimistic elements”.1516 Steve Ruskin, of Sports Illustrated, stated that “A slow, analytical game gave way to a single distinct of nonstop, appropriate-hop action.”28 Getting mentioned that, it has been stated that the choice to make artificial surfaces mandatory significantly favored a lot much more 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 regardless 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 initially time at the age of 19 or 20 and get it difficult to adapt.”29 Getting mentioned that, the Pakistan hockey group have performed nicely following the alter of surface regardless of the nation receiving worse off economically and getting fewer artificial pitches.16 When describing the alter of surface, Ruskin stated that “for India it was like starting much more than, with all nations even in field hockey