In field hockey, a sport played by men and women around the world, the field is often referred to as the pitch, just as it is in soccer, or football as it's known everywhere but the United States. The size of the pitch and other rules and specifications are dictated by the the International Hockey Federation, which oversees the men's and women's sports and determines necessary rule changes.
Length and Width
According to the International Hockey Federation, a field hockey pitch must be approximately 100 yards long and about 60 yards wide. Approximately 3 yards should be provided beyond each end line and about 2 yards should be extended beyond the sideline. More distance is allowable beyond the end lines and the sideline.
Goal Areas
Each goal is located on the end line. The goal should be 7 feet high and 12 feet wide. A semicircle around each goal should be marked on the field 16 yards from the goal. It's known as the shooting circle. A parallel dotted line should be marked on the field 5 yards around the shooting circle. A spot known as the penalty spot should be marked on the field 7 yards from the center of the front of the goal.
Field Markings
All field markings must be made in white, and no other marks, other than those described in the IHF rule book, are allowed on the field. Field lines, such as the center line and the 25-yard lines at each end of the field, must be 75 mm wide.
Indoor Field Hockey
Outdoor field hockey remains the most popular version of the sport, but indoor field hockey was becoming internationally popular around 2000. An indoor field is significantly smaller than an outdoor pitch and usually involves six players on a side instead of 11. The indoor pitch is about 21 yards wide and 44 yards long. The goal is also smaller, about 2 feet high and 3 feet wide.
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