A standard field hockey field is 91.4 meters long and 55 meters wide, which is 100 by 60 yards. It is divided by a center line and two 23 meter lines, and each end has a shooting circle measured 14.63 meters (16 yards) from the goalposts. The goals are 3.66 meters wide and 2.14 meters high, and a penalty spot sits 6.475 meters in front of each goal. These figures come from the FIH Rules of Hockey, which govern international play, and most school, college and club competitions use the same full size field, while youth and small sided formats use smaller versions.
Main field hockey field measurements
| Feature | Metric | Imperial (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 91.4 m | 100 yd |
| Width | 55 m | 60 yd |
| 23 m lines | 22.9 m from each backline | 25 yd |
| Shooting circle radius | 14.63 m from the goalposts | 16 yd |
| Dotted circle | 5 m outside the shooting circle | About 5.5 yd |
| Penalty spot | 6.475 m in front of goal | 7 yd |
| Goal | 3.66 m wide, 2.14 m high | 4 yd by 7 ft |
| Line width | 75 mm | 3 in |
| Backboard | 460 mm high | 18 in |
Rulebook note: these measurements follow the FIH Rules of Hockey. The NFHS rules used in many US high schools and NCAA rules for college play use the same basic field dimensions, but equipment, marking details and youth field sizes can vary, so check the current rulebook for your competition.
How the field is laid out
The field is a rectangle bounded by two longer sidelines and two shorter backlines. The part of each backline between the goalposts is called the goal line. All lines are 75 millimeters wide and count as part of the field, so a ball on the line is still in play. Flag posts, usually between 1.2 and 1.5 meters high, stand at each corner of the field to help players and umpires see the boundaries.
The center line divides the field in half and is where play starts at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal. The two 23 meter lines run across the field 22.9 meters from each backline, dividing the field into areas used for rules such as free hits, long corners and restarts. In older terms, this area was often called the 25 yard area, which is why many coaches still call these lines the 25s.
The shooting circle
The shooting circle, often called the D, is the most important marking on the field because goals can only be scored when an attacker plays the ball inside it. It is formed by two quarter circles, each with a radius of 14.63 meters measured from the inside front corner of each goalpost, joined by a straight line 3.66 meters long running parallel to the goal line. The overall shape looks like a D when seen from above.
A dotted line is marked 5 meters outside the shooting circle. It is used for rules about free hits awarded to the attack near the circle, where the ball must travel at least 5 meters or be touched by a defender before it enters the circle. The dotted line gives players and umpires a clear visual reference for these distances.
Goals, backboards and sideboards
Each goal is 3.66 meters wide between the inside edges of the posts and 2.14 meters high to the underside of the crossbar. The goal has a backboard 460 millimeters high along the bottom of the back of the goal and sideboards along each side. These boards are important for penalty corners, because a first hit shot must cross the goal line no higher than the backboard for a goal to count. Nets are attached to the frame and boards to catch the ball.
Penalty spot and backline marks
The penalty spot is 150 millimeters in diameter and sits 6.475 meters in front of the center of the goal line. It is used for penalty strokes, a one on one contest between an attacker and the goalkeeper. Small marks are placed on the backline outside the field at 5 meters and 10 meters from the goalposts. The 10 meter mark shows the minimum distance from the goalpost for injecting the ball on a penalty corner, and the marks help defenders and attackers line up correctly. Marks on the sidelines and elsewhere may also be used for positioning at restarts, depending on the rules in use.
Field surfaces
Top level field hockey is played on synthetic turf. International and elite club matches usually use water based turf, which is watered before play for a fast, consistent surface. Many schools and clubs use sand filled or sand dressed turf, which does not need watering. Some youth and recreational play still takes place on grass, though the ball runs more slowly and bounces less predictably. The surface affects speed of play, ball control and injury risk, so players should wear shoes suited to the turf type.
Youth and small sided field sizes
Young players often play on reduced fields with fewer players, smaller goals and modified rules. Common formats include small sided games across half or a quarter of a full field, with shooting areas scaled down. These formats give each player more touches and are easier for young athletes to manage physically. National governing bodies such as USA Field Hockey, England Hockey and others publish specific guidelines, and dimensions vary by age group and program.
How to mark a field hockey field
- Confirm the rules. Check the current rulebook for your competition and any local variations.
- Set the rectangle. Mark the sidelines and backlines at 91.4 by 55 meters, checking the diagonals are equal to ensure square corners.
- Mark the center and 23 meter lines. Measure 22.9 meters from each backline for the 23 meter lines.
- Place the goals. Center each goal on the backline with 3.66 meters between the posts.
- Mark the shooting circles. Draw quarter circles of 14.63 meters from each post and join them with a straight line.
- Add the dotted line and penalty spot. Mark the dotted line 5 meters outside the circle and the penalty spot 6.475 meters from the goal.
- Add backline marks and flags. Place the marks at 5 and 10 meters and set up corner flags.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- Assuming a ball on the line is out, when lines are part of the field.
- Measuring the circle from the center of the goal instead of from each goalpost.
- Confusing the 23 meter lines with the dotted circle.
- Using ice hockey or soccer dimensions for field hockey fields.
- Forgetting that youth fields can be much smaller than full size fields.
Comparing field hockey with other sports fields
A field hockey field is slightly smaller than many soccer fields. FIFA allows soccer field lengths between about 90 and 120 meters for most matches, with international matches between 100 and 110 meters. American football fields are about 109.7 meters long including end zones and 48.8 meters wide. Field hockey fields are therefore wider than American football fields but usually shorter than a full size soccer field. Many multi sport facilities overlay lines for several sports on the same turf, which is why players sometimes see extra markings.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a field hockey field?
A full size field is 91.4 meters long and 55 meters wide, which is 100 by 60 yards.
Is a field hockey field bigger than a soccer field?
Usually not. A full size soccer field is typically longer and often wider than a field hockey field.
How far is the shooting circle from the goal?
The circle is 14.63 meters, or 16 yards, from the goalposts.
