How big is a hockey pitch, and what do the lines mean?
Officials' detail · The pitch, the goal, the stick and the ball · 1 of 5A hockey pitch is 91.40 metres long and 55 metres wide. It has a centre-line, a line 22.90 metres from each end that marks the 23-metre area, a shooting circle in front of each goal and a penalty spot 6.40 metres out. All lines are 75 mm wide and part of the field; at the top level they must be white.
How it works
| Marking | What it is for |
|---|---|
| Side-lines (91.40 m) and back-lines (55 m) | The edges. Lines are part of the field, so a ball on the line is in |
| Goal-line | The part of the back-line between the posts |
| Centre-line | Centre passes; where the extra defenders wait at a penalty corner; substitutions are made near it |
| 23-metre lines (22.90 m from each back-line) | The goalkeeper's limit; deliberate defending fouls inside give a penalty corner; restarts after a defender's accidental ball over the back-line |
| Circles | The scoring zone; fouls by defenders inside give corners or strokes |
| Dotted lines 5 m outside the circles | Help judge the 5-metre rules at free hits (senior internationals) |
| Penalty spots | Penalty strokes, 6.40 m from the goal-line |
| Marks on the back-line at 5 m and 10 m from the posts | Penalty corner positions |
| Marks on the side-lines 14.63 m from the back-lines | Level with the top of the circle |
| Corner flags, 1.20 to 1.50 m high | Mark the corners |
- Run-off areas beyond the lines: at least 3 metres at the ends and 2 metres at the sides in total.
- Players must not run behind either goal.
Tricky cases
Why is it called the 23-metre line when it is 22.90 metres?
The figure comes from the old 25-yard line, which is 22.86 metres. The rules name the area "23-metres" and measure it at 22.90.
Is a ball on the side-line in play?
Yes. It is out only when the whole ball has crossed the line.
Can the lines be yellow?
Yes, on multi-sport pitches or pitches where hockey is not the main sport. White is required for senior internationals.
Why the rule exists
Standard markings mean the same distances and zones apply everywhere, so a decision means the same thing in every match.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FIH rules | As above | H1; Spec 1.1 to 1.4, 1.8 |
| Senior internationals | White lines and the dotted circle line are required | Spec 1.2 d, 1.4 d |
| Indoor hockey and Hockey5s | Smaller pitches; separate rules, not covered | Not covered |
From the rule book
FIH Rules of Hockey, Rule 1 and Field Specifications 1.1 to 1.4 and 1.8, in force from 1 March 2026. Checked 13 October 2026. Official document: FIH Rules of Hockey (PDF).