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Dimensions for Hockey

Hockey, or field hockey as it is known in some parts of the world, is a team game of 11-a-side played by men and women. It is played with a stick and a ball and most often played on grass or synthetic surfaces.

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The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Hockey - field 

Hockey, or field hockey as it is known in some parts of the world, is a team game of 11-a-side played by men and women. It is played with a stick and a ball and most often played on grass or synthetic surfaces.

Field of play

The field of play or pitch is rectangular, 91.4m long and 55m wide. All lines are 75mm wide, white and are part of the field of play. Sidelines mark the long perimeters, backlines mark the shorter perimeters. Goal lines are lines between the goal posts. A centre line is marked across the middle of the field. Lines known as 23m lines are marked across the field 22.9m from each backline. Circles are marked with lines 3.66m long inside the field around the goals and opposite of the centre of the backline. Penalty spots 150mm in diameter are marked in front of the centre of each goal 6.4m from the inner edge of the goal line. Flag posts between 1.2m and 1.5m in height are placed at each corner of the field.

Run-off

The playing surface must extend at least 3m at the end and 2m at the sidelines. These are minimum requirements with the respective recommended areas being 4m plus 1m and 3m plus 1m (that is, a total of 5m at the ends and 4m at the sides of the field).

Goals

Hockey goalsGoals are positioned outside of the field of play at the centre of and touching each backline. Two white, vertical goal posts 2.14m high are joined by a white, horizontal crossbar 3.66m wide. Sideboards 460mm high and 1.20m wide are placed at right angles to the goal line. Backboards 460mm high and 3.66m wide are placed at right angles to the sideboards and are fixed to the end of the sideboards. Nets are fitted loosely to the back of the goal posts and crossbar at intervals not more than 150mm.

Hockey pitch

Lighting

In hockey, play occurs predominantly at ground level, although the ball is also played in the air. The visual requirements are quite difficult because of the relatively small size of the ball and the speed it travels. This is particularly so for goalkeepers who are required to judge the flight of the ball at various heights and directions. The luminaires must be positioned so that, from a goalkeeper’s perspective, the background on which the ball is seen is as free as possible from glare and distraction.

Recommended lighting criteria for outdoor hockey 

  Lighting system Lux
Major grade club, national and international side (4 + 4 poles) 500
corner (4 poles)
Ball training, junior and minor grade competition side (4 + 4 poles) 250
corner (4 poles)

Physical training only 

side 30

 

The International Hockey Federation has produced a document specifying the minimum lighting requirements for international competition – Guide to Artificial Lighting of Hockey Pitches. This document can also assist hockey organisations processing and contemplating the installation of pitch lighting for any purpose. This document is available at www.worldhockey.org.

Indoor hockey

Indoor hockey or floorball is a version of hockey that is played indoors on a hard, smooth and flat surface and is usually played in a sports hall. It is a six-a-side game. The main difference between indoor and outdoor hockey is that the ball may only be pushed and not hit. Indoor hockey has sideboards along both sidelines which keeps the ball in play.

The pitch

The field of play is rectangular, not less than 36m or more than 44m long and not less than 18m or more than 22m wide. Recommended run-off areas are 5m at the backlines and 4m at the sidelines. The two goals at either end of the fields are 3m wide by 2m high.

Sideboards 100mm high run along both sidelines of the pitch. The sideboards must be made of wood or materials with similar physical properties. They must not have fittings or supports that are dangerous to players or umpires.

The field set up and markings are similar to outdoor hockey, except the lengths vary in keeping with the smaller field of play. The goals posts are 2m high to the underside of the crossbar. The crossbar is 3m long between the inside edge of the goal posts. The nets are attached to the goal posts at 150mm intervals.

Lighting

There is an Australian Standard (AS 2560.2.2) for lighting of multi-purpose indoor sports centres. The International Hockey Federation recommends the following minimum requirements for indoor hockey:

  • training and local club play ─ 500 lux
  • major regional and international matches ─ 750 lux
  • televised matches ─ 1000 lux.

Rookey

Rookey is a modified version of hockey that is played at the end of each Hook in2 Hockey session. The zone-based game is a fantastic way to learn the skills of hockey in a safe and fun environment.

The Rookey pitch is divided into three zones of equal size using cones or markers along the side line and if required, across the playing area. Goals can be created using cones or markers and should be 3m wide.

The size of a Rookey pitch will depend on the number of players per team. Below is a guide to the pitch size required for different numbers of players. The number of players positioned within each zone are also listed in a defensive-midfield-attacking order.

Players per team Players per zone Hockey pitch No hockey pitch
Width Length
6 2-2-2 Quarter field 30m-35m 50m-60m
7 2-3-2
8 2-3-3 Half field 40m-45m 65m-75m
9 3-3-3

Ice hockey

In ice hockey, two teams, each comprised of six players, use a stick to hit a puck. The object of the game is to put the puck into the opposition’s goal and keep it out of your goal. The aim is to score more goals than the opposition.

Dimensions of the ice rink

Maximum size ─ 61m long x 30m wide (international competition).
Minimum size ─ 56m long x 26m wide.

The rink is surrounded by a wall painted white known as the 'boards'. The boards are a minimum of 1.7m high to a maximum of 1.22m high.

All doors giving access to the ice surface must swing away from the ice surface.

Ice hockey rink

For international competitions, protective glass and end zone nets are obligatory. The glass is 160cm to 200cm high on the ends and extends 4m from the goal line.

Ice markings

The ice surface is divided in its length by five lines extending across the rink and vertically up the side of the boards. 

Goal lines are red lines 4m from each end of the rink and 5cm wide.

Blue lines are blue lines 30cm wide and divide the ice area from goal line to goal line into thirds.

Centre line is located in the middle of rink, 30cm wide and red.

Goal crease is a 5cm red line in front of each goal.

Goals

Goal nets are located in the centre of the goal lines. Goal posts are 1.22m high and 1.83m wide. The goal posts and horizontal crossbar are painted red. A white nylon cord net encloses the back of the net to prevent the puck from going through.

Lighting

All rinks are sufficiently well illuminated so that the players, officials and spectators may conveniently follow the play at all times. Fluorescent lamps are generally used because of the more light per watt and long life expectancy. Recommended are lamps 30−80 watts.

 
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