Bandy field

A bandy field or bandy rink is an ice rink used for playing bandy.

Originally, bandy was played on naturally frozen ice, mainly on lakes. Teams often had to take time to go out and search for the best ice to use. Soon, ice started to be created on soccer pitches in the wintertime, allowing for a more safe place to play. This may be the reason the outer measurements are the same as for a soccer field. The first artificially frozen bandy field was created in Budapest, Hungary, in 1923. In the 1980s, indoor arenas started to be built, allowing for a longer season. The world's first indoor bandy arena, the Olympinski, was built in Moscow for the 1980 Summer Olympics but has hosted many bandy events since.

The size of a bandy field is regulated in section 1.1 of the Bandy Playing Rules set up by the Federation of International Bandy It shall be rectangular and in the range 4,050–7,150 square metres (43,600–77,000 sq ft) (45–65 metres (148–213 ft) by 90–110 metres (300–360 ft)), about the same size as a football pitch for association football and considerably larger than an ice hockey rink. For international play, the field must not be smaller than 100 metres (330 ft) times 60 metres (200 ft). The field is outlined with distinct and unbroken lines according to section 1.1. These lines are red and between 5–8 centimetres (2.0–3.1 in) wide, according to section 1.1 D.

Along the sidelines, section 1.2 of the Rules prescribes the use of a 15 cm (6 in) high border (board, vant, sarg, wand, wall) to be placed to prevent the ball from leaving the ice. It should not be attached to the ice, it should be able to glide upon collisions, and should end 1–3 metres (3 ft 3 in–9 ft 10 in) away from the corners, to allow for corner-strokes. The top should have soft protection, to avoid players getting hurt if touching it when coming at high speed. The border was originally only used in Russia, but was introduced to other countries in the 1950s when the rules of the game were standardized and the international governing federation was founded. It allows for a faster game, as the ball stays in play instead of easily leaving the field, which means it would have to be collected and thrown in.

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