Chat with us, powered by LiveChat
Express 1-3 Day Shipping Wait Less, Play More
Field Hockey Ball Size BannerField Hockey Ball Size Banner

THE COMPLETE FIELD HOCKEY BALL GUIDE

FIELD HOCKEY BALL SIZES, WEIGHTS, MATERIALS, COLORS AND MORE!

The modern version of field hockey was first developed in UK public schools, before Dr. James Huff McCurdy put together a set of rules for Springfield College to start playing field hockey in the United States during the late 1800s. In 1901 Constance Applebee founded the United States Field Hockey Association (USFHA) after noticing a growing popularity in the sport. Since then, the game and the equipment has evolved significantly.

One of the most important pieces of equipment in any game of field hockey is the ball. If you’re looking to buy field hockey balls for yourself or your hockey club, this guide will cover everything you need to know about field hockey ball sizes, weights, materials, colors, types and more!

HISTORY OF FIELD HOCKEY BALLS

The first field hockey balls were made from cork and wool, with the first recorded use of hockey balls being in ancient Greece around 4,000 years ago. Since then, modifications and alterations were made at different times to get to the field hockey ball we see used today. In 1826, Australia began manufacturing balls from hard sap, before in 1885, India began using balls made from bamboo and rubber. In the late 1900s, modern day field hockey balls were made with a plastic exterior, and a cork, wood or rubber core, and they remain relatively unchanged to this day.

Field Hockey Ball LifestyleField Hockey Ball Lifestyle

FIELD HOCKEY BALL DIMENSIONS

All laws surrounding field hockey balls used in regulated matches are set by USA Field Hockey (USAFH) and the International Hockey Federation (FIH). Understanding these regulations is important when buying field hockey balls, especially if you are playing competitively, as using a ball that breaches regulations can lead to points deductions or financial penalties.

In this section we will cover all the regulation size and weight dimensions of a regulation field hockey ball to ensure that the ball you choose conforms to USAFH and FIH regulations.

Field Hockey Ball Size

For regulated field hockey games, the FIH and USAFH state that the circumference of a field hockey ball should measure between 8.82in – 9.25in (22.4cm – 23.5cm. This means the regulation diameter of a field hockey ball is 2.81in – 2.94in (7.13cm – 7.48cm).

Field Hockey Ball Weight 

The regulation weight of a field hockey ball under FIH and USAFH laws is between 5.5oz – 5.75oz (156g – 163g). The ball is relatively heavy to touch for its size, thanks to the solid construction of field hockey balls.

Field Hockey Ball SizeField Hockey Ball Size

Junior Field Hockey Ball Size Dimensions

There are no set recommendations for junior field hockey ball sizes from the FIH and USAFH. The ball used in junior hockey games is determined by the individual competition and their set rules. Typically, for younger players beginning their field hockey journey, a larger size ball with a lighter, hollow construction is used, to help beginners develop basic ball-striking skills. The FORZA XL Junior Hockey Ball measures 11.69in (29.69cm) in circumference and 4.2oz (120g) in weight, providing the perfect introduction for junior players to field hockey. 

WHAT IS A FIELD HOCKEY BALL MADE OF?

Top-level field hockey balls are made from a solid plastic exterior with a cork, wood or rubber core. The dimpled plastic outer cover makes the ball entirely weatherproof and suitable for all weather conditions. The plastic used is commonly known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and can withstand countless ball impacts from both the field hockey stick and goal posts.

The PVC exterior surrounds a core that can be made from either cork, wood, rubber or a combination of these materials. Dual composition or cork cores offer greater durability and improve the ball’s connection with the hockey stick, improving the overall performance of the ball regardless of the playing surface.

Not all field hockey balls feature an inner core, as some balls (typically balls designed for training and recreational use are hollow inside.

Inside a Field Hockey BallInside a Field Hockey Ball

Why do field hockey balls have dimples? 

The dimpled exterior of the field hockey ball has been the preferred choice for high level field hockey balls since the 1980s.

The dimples allow hockey balls to travel further and faster through the air, reaching speeds of up to 90mph/145kmph in professional games. This is because the dimples create an irregular surface, reducing the drag on the ball as it travels through the air or along the ground. The dimples also allow small air pockets to form on the ball’s surface which allow the field hockey ball to travel through the air more efficiently as the pockets of air move with the ball rather than pushing against it. 

What color are field hockey balls? 

FIH regulations state that field hockey balls should be either white in color or an agreed color that contrasts with the color of the playing surface. Other than white, popular colors used for field hockey balls are orange and yellow, as they are bright in color and visible in all levels of light. As the color of playing surfaces is typically green grass or green/blue synthetic turf, a ball color of white, orange or yellow is more than suitable for a game of field hockey.

Field Hockey Ball ColorsField Hockey Ball Colors

FIELD HOCKEY BALLS VS OTHER BALLS

Field Hockey Balls vs Lacrosse Balls

Regulation sized field hockey balls are slightly larger than lacrosse balls. Field hockey balls have a circumference of between 8.82in – 9.25in (22.4cm – 23.5cm), while lacrosse balls measure 7.75in – 8in (19.69cm – 20.32cm) in circumference.

Lacrosse balls are made with solid rubber, whilst field hockey balls are made with a plastic exterior and a cork, wood and/or rubber core. Field hockey balls also have a dimpled design, whereas lacrosse balls have a smooth outer surface.

Due to the size and construction of the two balls, lacrosse balls are lighter than field hockey balls. A regulation size hockey ball weighs 5.5oz – 5.75oz (156g – 163g), while a lacrosse ball weighs 5oz – 5.25 oz (141.75g – 155.92g).

Field Hockey Ball vs Lacrosse BallField Hockey Ball vs Lacrosse Ball

Field Hockey Balls vs Baseballs

Regulation field hockey balls and baseballs are very similar in size. MLB size requirements for baseballs are stricter than USFHA and FIH field hockey ball regulations, which means field hockey balls can vary in size slightly more. The circumference of baseball is between 9in - 9.25in (22.9cm – 23.5cm), while field hockey ball circumferences range from 8.82in – 9.25in (22.4cm – 23.5cm).

As with lacrosse balls, baseballs are lighter than hockey balls with a regulation weight of between 5oz – 5.25oz (141.75g – 148.83g). Field hockey balls are generally denser than baseballs, because of the hard plastic that is used. The plastic is heavier than the cork, rubber, yarn and leather materials used in baseballs, which explains the differences in weight.

Field Hockey Ball vs Baseball BallField Hockey Ball vs Baseball Ball

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOCKEY BALL

At Net World Sports, we carry a wide variety of field hockey game and training balls. In the table below, we have listed all the specifications of our FORZA field hockey ball range, so you can find the ball that suits your exact needs.

Construction Rating: ★★★★★

Color(s): White/Fluro Orange

Circumference: 9.02in

Weight: 5.6 oz

Exterior : Dimpled

Core : Pu Casing Premium Cork Core

Uses: Match use on all outdoor surfaces. Perfect for elite clubs.

Field Hockey International Match BallField Hockey International Match Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): White

Circumference: 9.02in

Weight: 3.9oz

Exterior : Smooth

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Match use on all indoor surfaces. Suitable for clubs at all levels.

 

Field Hockey Smooth Indoor BallField Hockey Smooth Indoor Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): White/Fluro Pink

Circumference: 9.02in

Weight: 3.9oz

Exterior : Smooth/Dimpled

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Match use on all indoor & Outdoor surfaces. Training ball is perfect for all clubs, schools & home use.

 

Field Hockey Training BallField Hockey Training Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): Glittered Pink

Circumference: 9.02in

Weight: 3.9oz

Exterior : Smooth

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Suitable for all indoor/outdoor surfaces. Training ball is perfect for all clubs, schools and home use.

 

Field Hockey Smooth Glitter BallField Hockey Smooth Glitter Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): Fluro Yellow

Circumference: 11.7in

Weight: 4.2oz

Exterior : Dimpled

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Suitable for all indoor/outdoor surfaces. Perfect for juniors or beginners looking to develop ball striking skills.

 

Field Hockey XL Junior BallField Hockey XL Junior Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): Fluro Yellow

Circumference: 8.91in

Weight: 3.5oz

Exterior : Dimpled

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Suitable for all indoor/outdoor surfaces. Lightweight design helps improve ball control and ball striking skills in training

 

Field Hockey 100g BallField Hockey 100g Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): Fluro Yellow

Circumference: 8.91in

Weight: 7.1oz

Exterior : Dimpled

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Suitable for all indoor/outdoor surfaces. Heavyweight design helps improve shot and pass power.

 

Field Hockey 200g BallField Hockey 200g Ball

Construction Rating: ★★★

Color(s): Fluro Yellow

Circumference: 8.91in/10.5

Weight: 5.4oz

Exterior : Smooth/Dimpled

Core : Hollow PVC

Uses: Suitable for all indoor/outdoor surfaces. Uneven construction helps ball control and reaction time.

 

Field Hockey REACT Training BallField Hockey REACT Training Ball

As well as field hockey balls, we also carry a range of other premium quality field hockey equipment. We offer field hockey sticks, goals, nets, protective gear, gameday equipment plus more! Regardless of your age or ability, we have the field hockey equipment to fully kit out you, your relatives or your field hockey club.

IN THIS ARTICLE

FORZA 5-Star International Match Field Hockey Balls
$7.99 $24.99
FORZA 3-Star Smooth Indoor Match Field Hockey Balls
$7.99 $29.99
FORZA 3-Star Smooth/Dimple Training Field Hockey Balls
$7.99 $24.99
FORZA 3-Star Smooth Glitter Training Field Hockey Balls
$7.99 $24.99
FORZA 100g Field Hockey Ball
$14.99 $17.99
FORZA 200g Field Hockey Ball
$14.99 $17.99
FORZA XL Junior Field Hockey Balls
$14.99 $39.99
FORZA REACT Field Hockey Ball
$14.99 $17.99
FORZA Field Hockey Ball Carry Bag  |  Net World Sports
$17.99 $22.99
FORZA Club Field Hockey Coaching Stick & Ball Sets
$149.99 $249.99