Field Hockey Ball

Ball is the most important equipment used in field hockey. These are spherical, made with solid plastic, sometimes covered with cork core for a bounce. The ball is required to be passed into the goal with the aid of hockey sticks. The players are restricted from using any body part to move the ball. The dimensions and circumference of the ball profoundly affect the striking rate and velocity of the shots.

Field Hockey Ball Dimensions

The field hockey ball has a core filled with cork. The circumference lies between the range of 224 mm to 235 mm (used in Olympic Games as well) and weighs approximately 156 grams to 163 grams. The balls are majorly white (other colours are also allowed as long as they contrast with the surface of play), and for both indoor and outdoor events, it is the same. The outdoor balls are sometimes dimpled to maintain velocity and reduce friction.

•  White dimple hockey ball - It’s the most popular ball used in field hockey. It has been used since the 1980s. The ball has several uniform dimples on the surface, making it ideal for playing by promoting speed consistency while playing on wet surfaces or turf. However, these balls would not work well on grass and indoors, so there was a realization came that another ball was needed.
• Smooth hockey ball - The white dimple balls aren’t much ideal for playing in indoor surfaces. Therefore the smooth and seamless hockey balls came into existence. These balls are also regarded as grass hockey ball. It could be used on turf, it did not move and at the same time, it could jump and bounce on the surface of the water.
• Indoor hockey ball - The indoor hockey balls are lighter in weight without any dimples. The balls also have a hollow interior without any core. These balls are widely used for training purposes by the beginners. 

The first balls of field hockey were made from cork and wool. The first recorded utilization of the ball is found in ancient Greek around 4000 years ago. Till then, a lot of modification has occurred in the equipment. In 1826 for the first time, balls were manufactured from hard sap in Australia. Later in 1885, Indians used to play with balls made from bamboo and rubber. In 1871, the modification of the ball ascended one step further by using a cube of hard black rubber. Later in 1970, the first modified ball was employed that is still accessible with the introduction of artificial grass. In modern times, field hockey balls are made from plastic with a smoother surface. The cork core allows bounce to the ball with uniform speed.