HEAD OFFICE
Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1RR
T. 01628 897500 F. 01628 897544 E. [email protected]
www.englandhockey.co.uk
Patron. HRH The Countess of Wessex
Hockey Pitches
Pitch owners considering hosting national or high level competition should consider carefully the
choice of an approved turf product and level of pitch certification when planning the facility. In
addition to consulting this website, they should seek advice from the national governing body for
hockey (England Hockey). See www.englandhockey.co.uk
There are essentially four types of synthetic surface commonly used in hockey.
Unfilled or Water-based Turf/Pitch
A turf product or pitch using a carpet of woven tufted or knitted synthetic yarn in which the density
of pile is sufficient to maintain yarn vertically without support or stabilization by other materials.
Filled Turf/Pitch
A turf product or pitch using a carpet of woven, tufted or knitted synthetic yarn fully supported or
stabilised by the addition of filling material (e.g. sand and therefore sometimes referred to as sandfilled turf/pitch).
Dressed Turf/Pitch
A turf product or pitch using a carpet of woven, tufted or knitted synthetic yarn partly supported or
stabilised by the addition of filling material (e.g. sand and therefore sometimes referred to as a
sand-dressed turf/pitch).
Long-pile / 3G Turf / Pitch
A surface comprising a synthetic yarn, the pile of which is much longer than any of the previously
mentioned types; it is also the least dense. The turf carpet is partially filled with small rubber
granules to about 50% to 75% of the pile height although an initial bottom layer of sand is
sometimes used. In general, this type of surface does not meet the performance requirements for
hockey. However, certain particular turfs of this type have been assessed and found to meet minimal
requirements. Please refer to England Hockey for further information. See www.englandhockey.co.uk
The Rules of Hockey specify * minimum run-off areas but it is strongly recommended that bigger
areas are accommodated if possible. Consideration must be given to the need to accommodate
team officials, substitutes and match officials immediately adjacent to the field of play, but
preferably not within the run-off areas.
Only the prescribed corner flags should obstruct the run-off areas and must be capable of bending
to the horizontal without fracture and without injuring any person.
Water cannons or lighting masts must not intrude onto run-off areas. Pop-up sprinkler heads are
acceptable providing a level seat is maintained when the sprinkler heads are in their lowered
position.
* The playing surface must continue (to create run-off areas) for a minimum of 2 metres at the back-lines and 1
metre at the side-lines with an additional unobstructed 1 metre in each case (that is, a total of 3 metres at the
ends and 2 metres at the sides of the field). These are minimum requirements with the respective recommended
areas being 3 plus 2 metres and 3 plus 1 metres (that is, a total of 5 metres at the ends and 4 metres at the
sides of the field).
England Hockey is a company limited by guarantee
Registration Number: 4623333
Registered Office: Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, Marlow,
Buckinghamshire SL7 1RR
Hockey - the field of play
1.1
The field of play is rectangular, 91.40 metres long and 55.00 metres wide.
1.2
Side-lines mark the longer perimeters of the field; backlines mark the shorter perimeters of
the field.
1.3
The goal-lines are the parts of the back-lines between the goal-posts.
1.4
A centre-line is marked across the middle of the field.
1.5
Lines known as 23 metres lines are marked across the field 22.90 metres from each backline.
1.6
Areas referred to as the circles are marked inside the field around the goals and opposite
the centres of the backlines.
1.7
Penalty spots 150 mm in diameter are marked in front of the centre of each goal with the
centre of each spot 6.40 metres from the inner edge of the goal-line.
1.8
All lines are 75 mm wide and are part of the field of play.
1.9
Flag-posts between 1.20 and 1.50 metres in height are placed at each corner of the field.
1.10
Goals are positioned outside the field of play at the centre of and touching each back-line.
For more detail on hockey pitch markings please refer to England Hockey for further information.
See www.englandhockey.co.uk
Goals
Goals are crucial pieces of equipment. They should be good quality in terms of both playing
performance and durability. The Rules of Hockey specify basic requirements in relation to shape,
size and colour (see www.englandhockey.co.uk )
Goal Frame and Fittings
Hockey goals are steel or heavy-duty aluminium (not lightweight aluminium). Steel should be hotdipped galvanized. Aluminium should be sufficiently heavy to avoid movement of the structure. The
internal cross section of aluminium posts and cross-bars should be reinforced to avoid denting and
splintering on impact.
The goal posts and cross-bar should be painted to produce a chip resistant finish. The frames of the
back-boards and other components should have similar durable finishes.
Backboards are made of various materials. Again, metal has replaced wood in more recent
constructions not least because it is more durable. Wooden backboards must be strong and resistant
to splintering but do not necessarily require additional coverings on the inside surfaces. However, the
inside surface of metal backboards must be covered with a shock absorbing material, such as thick
rubber sheeting or artificial turf (carpet), which greatly reduces ball rebound. It is dangerous to
players if the ball rebounds at speed from the backboard.
The goals should not have any additional fittings that could cause danger to players. For example, if
a goal is fitted with rubber-tyred wheels to facilitate easy movement to a side-line for training
purposes and to save wear and tear in the goal-mouths, the wheels should be located at the back
(and not the side) of the goal so that players do not easily trip over them during play.
www.englandhockey.co.uk
Goal Nets
It is important that the method of fixing nets to the goal-posts and cross-bar is secure and safe.
D-shaped eyelets attached to the back of the posts and crossbar with sufficient space in the eyelet
for a 6-8mm diameter rope to pass through twice when tight.
The maximum mesh size is 45mm.
In addition to ensuring that the net remains securely attached to the goal, if possible it should be
fixed in a way that avoids a strong rebound when the ball enters the goal. Any horizontal part of
the net support frame across the back or sides of the goal should therefore be outside the net and
fixed so that a ball entering the goal cannot rebound from it. It is also recommended that any
vertical part of the net support frame be situated outside and clear of the net. This results in a “freehanging net” which avoids confusion about whether the ball rebounds from the back/side-boards or
part of the net support frame following a hard shot. This sort of goal design is strongly
recommended.
Corner Flags
Flag-posts between 1.20 and 1.50 metres in height are placed at each corner of the pitch. They
must not be dangerous and if unbreakable, must be attached to a spring base.
INDOOR HOCKEY
Indoor Hockey – the field of play
1.1
The pitch is rectangular 44 metres long and 22 metres wide.
Use of a full-size pitch is strongly recommended but a smaller size pitch may be specified in
national or local regulations.
The minimum size of a pitch is 36 metres long and 18 metres wide.
Minimum run-off areas are recommended outside the back-lines (3 metres) and side-lines (1
metre).
1.2
Side-boards mark the longer perimeters of the pitch; backlines mark the shorter perimeters
of the pitch.
1.3
The goal-lines are the parts of the back-lines between the goal-posts.
1.4
A centre-line is marked across the middle of the pitch.
1.5
Areas referred to as the circles are marked inside the pitch around the goals and opposite
the centres of the backlines.
1.6
Penalty spots 100 mm in diameter are marked in front of the centre of each goal with the
centre of each spot 7 metres from the inner edge of the goal-line.
1.7
All lines are 50 mm wide and are part of the pitch.
1.8
Goals are positioned outside the pitch at the centre of and touching each back-line.
A bench for each team is placed outside and along one side of the pitch.
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Indoor Hockey – the playing surface (the floor)
The preferred surface for Indoor Hockey is a sprung floor, for which there are various construction
options. Flooring surfaces that are suitable for Indoor Hockey include:
-
timber
vinyl, linoleum, rubber and composites, in either sheet or tile form
in-situ polymeric
textile, including felt, flock, velour and carpet (either fibre-bonded, needle-punched, fine
pile, knitted, woven or tufted carpet).
Indoor hockey can be played on temporary flooring (e.g. Gerflor Taraflex or Sport Court) on
condition that the flooring underneath is smooth, flat, level and dry. This type of floor can be laid on
hard surfaces e.g. cement.
Pitch side-boards:
Side-boards must be made of wood or materials with similar physical properties. They must not have
fittings or supports which are dangerous to players or umpires. The side-boards are positioned along
the long perimeter of the pitch and are based on a square 100 mm cross-section. The upright
surface facing the pitch is inclined by 10 mm towards the pitch.
Goals
The goals are two vertical goal-posts joined by a horizontal crossbar and are placed at the centre
of each back-line on the external marks. The goal-posts and cross-bar are white, rectangular in cross
section, 80 mm wide and 80 mm deep.
The goal-posts must not extend vertically beyond the cross-bar and the cross-bar must not extend
horizontally beyond the goal-posts.
The distance between the inner edges of the goal-posts is 3.00 metres and the distance from the
lower edge of the cross-bar to the ground is 2.00 metres
The space outside the pitch, behind but including the goal-posts and cross-bar and enclosed by the
net is a minimum of 800 mm deep at the cross-bar and a minimum of 1.00 metres deep at groundlevel.
Goal side-boards and back-boards are not mandatory but if fitted should conform to the following
specification
-
side-boards are minimum 0.92 metres long and 460 mm high
back-boards are 3.00 metres long and 460mm high
Side-boards and back-boards are of a dark colour on the inside.
Goal Nets
The maximum mesh size is 45 mm. The nets are to be attached to the back of the goal-posts and
cross-bar is at intervals of not more than 150 mm.
The nets hang outside the goal side-boards and backboard if fitted. They are secured so as to
prevent the ball passing between the net and the goal-posts and cross-bar and between the net and
the side-boards and back-boards if fitted
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