Accurate dimensions and sizes of the pitch are essential to the game rules, regulations and safety in hockey. Let's delve into the specifics of field hockey and the dynamic variant, Hockey5s.
Field Hockey: Dimensions and Markings
Modern field hockey combines speed, skill and cooperation to create an exhilarating team sport. Field hockey consists of two teams with 11 players per side including a goalkeeper. Players use curved sticks to manoeuvre the small, hard ball past the opposition and into the goal to score. Historically, field hockey was played on natural grass, but today artificial turf is more common.
A field hockey pitch is a rectangular field divided into two halves for the two teams. Measuring 100 yds (91.4m) in length by 60 yds (55m) in width, a hockey pitch is similar to a rugby pitch, only with a few notable differences. The total area of a standard field hockey pitch is 5,027m². A pitch boundary is marked on the turf to signify the field of play. Within, the playing field is divided into three sections: defensive, midfield and attacking. These areas are signified by the centre line and two 23-metre lines.
Diagram of a standard field hockey pitch.
Key Markings and Zones:
- Sidelines: Running parallel to each other, the sidelines extend 100 yards (91.4m) lengthwise, establishing the field’s perimeter. There must be a minimum 2m run-off on either side of the field, plus a minimum 3m run-off at the backlines.
- Backlines: The backlines establish the width of the field of play, measuring 60 yards (55m) from corner to corner. So, the precision of the backlines is paramount, as once the ball passes this line a point is awarded.
- Striking Circles: On either side of the pitch, there are striking circles surrounding the hockey goal. The straight white line curves to form a ‘D’ shape against the backline, signifying the area in which a goal can be scored when struck within this circle. The circle must have a radius of 16 yards (14.6m). A second circle, known as the broken line, surrounds the striking circle - extending 5.4 yards (5m).
- 23-Metre Lines: The 23-metre (25 yards) lines are marked 23 metres from each backline.
- Centre Line: The centre line marks the midpoint between the two sides of the pitch.
Goal Specifications:
The goal is situated in the centre of both backlines, with a length of 2.14m by a 3.66m width.
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Penalty Corner Markings:
From each goal post, there are markers at 5m and 10m in either direction along each backline. As specified by the International Hockey Federation, the 10m mark establishes the point from which an attacker can take a corner penalty, whilst the 5m mark indicates the closest proximity in which a defender may stand.
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Hockey5s: A Faster and Shorter Variant
Hockey5s is a shorter and faster variant of the traditional sport of field hockey. The first time the format made an appearance on a big international stage was the 2014 Youth Olympics in China.
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A Hockey 5s court is around half the size of a regular hockey field. Two goals, rectangular metal or wooden frames 3.66m in length and 2.14m in height are set up midway through the backlines of the rectangular court. Unlike field hockey, there are no Dees or striking circles marked on a Hockey5s court. There’s a central line running parallel to the backlines which divides the court into two equal halves.
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Visual representation of a Hockey5s court.
Core Objectives and Player Count:
The core objective of Hockey5s is the same as field hockey, i.e. a team tries to score more goals than the opposition within a set time to win a match. Also, unlike field hockey where each side consists of 11 players, in Hockey5s a team can have a maximum of five players on the pitch at any given time, including a goalkeeper.
Boundary Boards:
As the name suggests, boundary boards are boards which enclose the entire Hockey5s court barring the two goal lines on either end. In field hockey, if the ball crosses the sidelines, it is deemed out of play and the match resumes with a free hit. However, in Hockey5s, the ball can hit the boundary board and come back into play.
Specific Gameplay Rules:
- Backline Play: If the ball goes over the backline off the stick of a defending player or the goalkeeper, play is re-started with the ball on the quarter line in their own half.
- Challenges: A challenge is awarded if a defender commits a foul in their own half of the court which denies the opposition team a clear goal-scoring opportunity. When the challenge starts, only an attacking player taking the challenge and the opposition goalkeeper can be in the half. Once the umpire whistles signalling the start of a challenge, the attacking player can start playing the ball. The opposition goalie can also start moving after the attacker has touched the ball.
Penalties:
Various fouls by players attract different types of penalties, indicated by coloured cards, in Hockey5s in addition to the opposition teams getting a free hit, challenge or penalty stroke. A green card amounts to the player committing the offence being suspended for a minute. Similarly, a yellow card given for more severe offences results in a two-minute suspension.
Match Duration:
A Hockey5s match lasts for 20 minutes divided into two halves of 10 minutes each.
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