What is a field hockey ball made of?

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Are you a field Hockey lover? Then you must have been closely familiar with a field Hockey ball. But do you know, “What is a field hockey ball made of?”

What is a field hockey ball made of

Field hockey balls are typically round and made of solid plastic with a cork in the core. However, there is a wide variety of field hockey balls made of various materials. Still, different national and international organizations aim to utilize Field hockey balls made of the finest materials to avoid problems that might come from balls. So, the players can play the sport with more comfort.

Since many individuals are unsure of the materials used in a field hockey ball, this article will provide a detailed overview of field hockey balls, their materials, dimensions, and some of the most frequently asked questions. So, read the full article if you don’t want to lose out on important information. So, let’s begin.

The Evolution of Field Hockey Ball

Field hockey has its origins in ancient stick-and-ball games played in Egypt and Greece, featuring balls made of either compressed papyrus fibers or similar substances wrapped in leather. So, the initial materials of  Field Hockey Balls were leather, hardwood, or cork core. The ball’s outer shell was simply leather wrapped around a hardwood or cork core.

However, these leather balls had significant drawbacks. The main issue was that leather balls rapidly absorbed water on a wet pitch, getting significantly heavier and slower in wet settings. As a result, weather conditions would determine ball performance rather than player skill. So, the modern reformation of field Hockey balls began in the 1980s, when Kookaburra, a world-renowned supplier of outdoor sports equipment, launched their first plastic field hockey balls that did not absorb water.

The company didn’t invent plastic balls overnight. They had long been active in this sport because they provided field hockey equipment to the Olympic Games since 1956. Click here to find the best Hockey Socks.

However, these plastic balls were practical since they had a stable texture and weight in varied situations and performed appropriately in every weather. As a result, different field Hockey tournaments began to use hard plastic balls with a smoother outer surface that bounced precisely.

The type of Field hockey grounds has also changed, like the ball’s materials. Initially, players used to play the sport in natural grass fields. Since the 20th century, artificial turf has replaced natural grass fields. However, different brands now produce balls for field hockey with diverse materials. For instance, Kookaburra often uses lighter-weight rubber and cork core in their balls instead of hard plastics.

Types of the field hockey ball

  • White dimple hockey ball: It is unthinkable to imagine field hockey without these White dimple balls.  White dimple balls have been one of the most popular Field Hockey balls since the 1980s. As the name suggests, the ball’s surface contains multiple equal dimples, which develops the ball’s speed on different wet playgrounds or turfs. But remember, white dimple balls are not ideal for playing on natural grass fields.
  • Smooth field hockey ball:  The idea of creating smooth balls derived from the White dimple ball’s inability to deliver efficient performance on indoor surfaces. So, manufacturers made this ball in a way that players can play on both wet and grassy surfaces. Since this ball is better suited for playing on grassy surfaces, it is sometimes called a grass hockey ball.
  • Indoor hockey ball: One of the vital characteristics of these indoor balls is that there are no dimples on these balls. Don’t worry; you don’t have to sacrifice speed. Since these balls are very lightweight, they are comparatively faster. Furthermore, the balls have an empty interior rather than a core. If you are a novice or searching for a field hockey ball for practice, indoor hockey balls are the best option.

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Composition of Field Hockey Balls

Field Hockey is one of the high-speed sports in the world where Field Hockey balls appear vital for consistent speed. According to players, Field Hockey balls are the most crucial piece of equipment in the sport after the sticks. In this section, I will provide precise information on the ball’s material, colors, pitch, and dimensions of field hockey balls.

  • Material: Federation Internationale de Hockey (FIH) governs the rules and regulations for field hockey sport. But FIH has not yet set any fixed specifications for field hockey balls. However, players typically utilize hard plastic balls in crucial national or international matches. Organizers generally try to provide the best materials so players can deliver their best. Therefore, the balls’ type, material, and design can vary from place to place. For instance, some organizers provide balls that have cork, while others offer balls with hollow-core or rubber.
  • Color of the ball: There is also no fixed rule for the color of the balls. But Players must use white or any solid color balls that will be visible on the playing ground. Therefore, most events use white balls. However, players also use pink and orange color balls depending on the league’s preference.
  • Pitch color: The pitch color is obviously green if the leagues prefer organizing matches on natural grass fields. However, artificial turf pitches are diverse in color.   For instance, the London Olympics hosted matches on a lovely blue pitch in 2012 to improve visual optimization for television audiences.
  • Dimensions of the ball: The diameter of a field hockey ball ranges from 2.8 to 2.96 inches and weighs between 5.5 and 5.75 ounces.

FAQ:

  • What are the two different sorts of hockey balls?

The two most used balls in field hockey are solid plastic balls with a core and Mini hockey balls. Kookaburra Dimple Elite ball features solid plastic balls with a center core. In contrast, the size of the Mini hockey ball is the same as solid plastic balls. But mini balls are lighter than regular balls.

  • What is the speed of a field hockey ball?

Different field hockey balls use different materials. The design of the balls also varies, which impacts the overall speed of the ball. However, a field hockey ball generally travels with an average speed of 183.7 km/h.

Conclusion:

The significance of Field hockey balls is indescribable in the sport. Many renowned brands are making vast investments to improve the quality of the field hockey balls, which makes the audience eager to know about the conventional dimensions and materials of the field hockey balls. Therefore, this article has discussed several vital facts about field hockey balls, such as materials, colors, and dimensions. I believe the readers will find the article practical and valuable.

Hi, I am Prince. I’m a semi-professional hockey player. I’m the founder and chief editor at “Hockey Ever”. I love playing hockey and helping players to improve their game and that’s why I decided to start this blog.

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