Hockey Pitch Size & Markings Guide

Everything you need to know about hockey pitches

Whether you’re a school preparing for matches, a local club upgrading your facilities or a professional organisation adhering to international standards, understanding regulation hockey pitch dimensions is important for games played at all levels.

The size of a hockey pitch directly impacts gameplay, influencing player movement, tactical formations and the overall flow of the match. If your pitch is the wrong size, it can create safety issues and a diminished playing experience.

This guide is designed to help you navigate the world of field hockey pitch dimensions, delving into the official regulations, the different pitch markings, and offering practical advice to ensure you’re playing surface meets the highest standards.

THE HISTORY OF HOCKEY PITCHES

Field hockey was originally played on natural grass with field dimensions varying across clubs. The modern game was formed in 19^th century Britain and from then standardised measurements were gradually introduced. However, it was the 1970s introduction of artificial pitches that revolutionised the sport. The FIH mandated the use of artificial pitches for major competitions, starting with the 1976 Montreal Olympics, which dramatically increased the speed and consistency of gameplay.

Changes have continued over the years including the measurements of the pitches going from imperial to metric in 1998, though some still use imperial measurements. Recent developments have seen pitches change in colour (usually blue) for enhanced televised visibility. Technological advancements to artificial turf have continued to refine playing surfaces, and there has been an increased focus on the runoff areas for player safety.

DIMENSIONS OF A HOCKEY PITCH

Official Hockey Regulation Pitch Size

England Hockey are the official governing body for hockey in the UK. The hockey pitch which is typically known as the ‘field of play’ (FOP), measures 91.40m in length and 55m in width.

Beyond the FOP, the run-off areas are required to be a minimum of 2m behind the backlines and 1m along the side lines, plus an additional 1m of hard standing for both areas. This results in a minimum total of 3m outside the back lines and 2m outside the side lines. For safety, it is recommended that the run-off areas are 5m behind the back lines and 4m along the side lines.

Here is a list of some of all the dimensions included in this:

Length of sidelines: 91.4m
Width of backlines 55m
Run-off at sidelines: minimum 2m
Run off at backlines: minimum 3m
Total pitch area 5,027m²
Striking circle radius: 14.63m

Other Hockey Pitch Sizes

Whilst there are set field sizes for games played at higher levels things are less strict for clubs lower down the leagues who typically set their own standards. For example, most schools will likely focus on development meaning they will look at smaller pitches so players can be exposed to more frequent ball contact and skill progression.

The dimensions for these can vary but they follow similar markings and lines to regulation pitches and are generally rectangular. Key points to note are that youth leagues and schools will use smaller hockey goals and may play with sideboards to keep the ball in play. For more details, it is best to check with your teams governing body. It is important to note that most lower division teams will have to consider how much space they have in their sports facilities.

HOCKEY FIELD MARKINGS AND PITCH LINES

Understanding the various lines and markings on a hockey pitch is essential for players, coaching staff and officials. Some of the lines and markings include:

Pitch Lines

Starting with side lines which are the longer boundary lines, running the length of the pitch (91.4m). These define the outer edge of the field of play at each end of the pitch. Backlines are the short boundary lines, running the width of the pitch (55m). They define the outer edge of the field of play at each end. Hockey goals are positioned at each end of the field on these backlines. The regulation dimensions for hockey goal posts is 3.66m (12ft) tall and 2.14m (7ft) wide.

Opposing these lines is the centre line, otherwise known the halfway line, which runs across the middle of the pitch dividing the two halves. The halfway line is used as a starting and restarting point during matches.

It’s important to note that pitches are usually split up by 23 metre lines. These lines are located 22.9m from each back line. They divide the pitch into quarters and are significant for free hits and other rules.

Striking Circle

Also known as the penalty circle. This area is “D” shaped and sits in front of the goals. It consists of a 3.66m straight line which is directly in line with the goal posts, and curved lines that extend 14.63m from the end of the central straight-line round to the back line. Goals can only be scored if the ball is struck within the circle. The penalty spot is a small spot located 6.4m in front of the centre of the goal, used for penalty stroke execution.

Corner Marks

The 5m and 10m marks are markings which are located along the back line, outside the field of play. They are used to position players during penalty corners. There is also a 5m broken line which is placed 5m outside the striking circle. This broken line is the same shape as the striking circle and is used during penalty corners. Corner marks are markings that are placed 5m from the back line and alongside the side lines. They are used for corner hits.

HOCKEY FAQS

How to set up for a penalty corner in hockey?

When a penalty corner is awarded, the attacking teams will set up for a highly organised play. One player (the injector) will pass from the backline to a teammate (the stopper). The stoppers sit at the top of the striking circle and set the ball up for the hitters who take a shot at goal. Other attackers set up around the semi-circle to pick up rebounds or deflections. All players must stay outside of the striking circle until the ball has been played, and the ball must leave the striking circle before it is taken back by the attacking team.

For the defending team, the goalkeeper will prepare for the shot, whilst the first runner rushes out to block the initial hit. Post players defend the goal line, and other defenders position themselves outside of the circle to intercept passes and clear deflections. There is a maximum of 5 defenders that are allowed behind the backline, and all other defending players must wait behind the centre line until the inserter takes the penalty corner for the attacking team.

What colour are hockey pitches?

As mentioned earlier in the guide, hockey pitches were traditionally played on grass but over time, artificial turf pitches have become the more popular option. Traditionally, hockey pitches were green. However, more recently (especially for televised events), blue pitches have become increasingly common. The shift stems from the ball being more visible against a blue background for television audiences. FIH regulations suggest that the colour of the field of play should be a uniform shade of green or a uniform shade of dark blue.

The international Hockey Federation states that the run-off areas of a hockey pitch must be a different colour than the field of play, to define the boundaries of the playing surface.

Why are hockey pitches wet?

The reason that hockey pitches are wet is because groundsman and women typically add water to the artificial surface to reduce friction. This allows for faster and smoother ball movement as well as better player control during games, creating the ideal playing conditions for hockey (especially at professional levels). It is for this reason that most hockey pitches used at international level are water based

We hope that this guide helps you understand the importance of field hockey pitch dimensions and markings. At Net World Sports we supply a variety of FORZA field hockey equipment including hockey balls, sticks, goals, field equipment and . Whether you are looking for players equipment, coaching supplies or hockey goals for your pitch, we have got you covered.