Hockey is one of the most popular winter sports in the world. But while the sport itself is fun and exciting to watch, the conditions on the pitch can be pretty tough. That’s because the pitch is usually wet and muddy, making it slippery and making it harder for players to regulate their speed.
So what’s the deal? Why is hockey field wet and muddy, and how can you play on it if it’s so bad? Let’s dig into the statistics to find out.
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Mud Comes First
According to Weather-Optical Inc, the average annual rainfall in Canada is between 10 and 20 centimeters. This makes the country one of the top 10 worldwide in terms of muddy fields. Even in the United States, which is considered to be one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world, with an average rainfall of only 3 to 7 inches, the pitch is usually soggy and makes the gameplay less enjoyable. Especially in the NHL, which is famous for its muddy conditions.
Hockey is basically played on dirt, making it ideal for absorbing the rainfall and keeping the field in good conditions all year round. This also prevents dehydration, because as the name suggests, hockey is a game that needs a lot of fluid intake. Some players even report that fluid intake is a bigger part of their day-to-day routine than food. That’s not all though. The more oxygen present in the air, the better for your health in general. This is why a lot of sports fields in the world are converted to artificial surfaces, mostly for the winter months.
Athletes Love Muddiness
Speaking of converting sports fields into artificial ones, many football and hockey players have expressed their fondness for playing on the muddier side. The primary reason behind this is the increased traction that the field offers. Players can easily move around on the surface, and the ball tends to stick more when played on rough fields. This is also why a lot of American football coaches prefer their teams to play on natural grass fields rather than real grass surfaces that are often found in European countries.
Some people also love to play in the mud because it provides them with a feeling of connectedness to nature. For instance, Tiger Woods reportedly said that he feels closer to nature while playing in the mud than anywhere else. This is probably because the ground absorbs the sound of the shots, making it more realistic and providing a different sensation than on a synthetic surface. It also means that you will not be distracted by loud noises while playing, which is certainly an advantage for those who enjoy a relaxing game without worrying about others around them.
Home Field Advantage
One of the most recognizable symbols of the NHL is the “home field advantage”, which provides an advantage to the team that plays on home soil. This is mainly due to the fact that there is a lot more water and mud on the pitch, making it easier for the visiting team to trip over their feet while trying to stop a goal-scoring opportunity.
Even in the NFL, where the playing surface is often perfect all year round, the home-field advantage makes a significant difference. According to data from the NFL Research, every additional point scored by a home team is worth 6.6 points with a three-point touchdown margin of victory giving them an 11.3-point advantage in points scored. This is in addition to all the other advantages that come with playing on your home ground.
Playing On Damp Surfaces
The other significant issue that arises from the fact that most sports fields are made of dirt or natural grass is that they become sodden and unplayable once the rain has stopped. This is why after the match, the players have to go into the field and wait for it to dry before they can continue.
To prevent this, a solution would be to put down an underlayment system, which consists of an acrylic or vinyl sub-layer supported by steel girders. This sub-layer is then covered with an asphalt layer, along with a protective plastic coating. These types of surfaces can reduce the number of times a field has to be watered by 80%, although this depends on the climate. Some fields require less frequent watering than others.
This is also why many sports, like cricket and rugby, are played on outdoor pitches despite the inclement weather. These sports, as well as hockey, are considered to be ideal for natural grass surfaces. However, if the pitch is not natural grass, then a synthetic surface like grass chip is often used to provide a more consistent bounce. Additionally, many artificial surfaces, like those made of clay, plastic, or rubber are available for use in any sport.
With any of these surfaces, the ball tends to travel further and faster than it would on grass, making it more exciting to watch. It can also be more difficult to control, especially on greasy pitches, making it more of a challenge for the players. But despite these differences, once the game starts, it will feel like you’re playing on a real grass field, because the experience is so similar.
Hopefully, this article has answered some of the most common questions surrounding field hockey. If you have any others, leave us a comment and we’ll be sure to answer them to the best of our knowledge!