- Fri. May 15th, 2026
Objective results are only an aid to the subjective results of those who must ensure safety and playability on a turf surface
The challenge for the modern pitch operator is the need for a constant playing surface all year round. It is about the small marginal gains that players can make on the surface and that can add up to the victory that teams are looking for. For many, a pitch is judged by how it looks. The judging panel includes players, coaches and medical teams. They only consider how the game is played! Players want a surface that allows them to run quickly, spin easily, and that ensures that the rolling and bouncing of the ball is predictable. Groundsmen can respond to these demands by breaking the friction of the ball on the grass by watering the field before training sessions or the game. To be successful in doing so, they’ll have to consider the pace of a game played on a hot, windy afternoon when the grass dries out quickly, compared to a night game where the surface remains wet and the ball whizzes quickly across the surface.
By Francesco Dotto (president of the Mediterranean Groundsmen Association)
The medical staff hopes for an even and consistent surface that gives players enough traction not to slip, but not too much traction that could cause rotational injuries. If the pitch is too hard, some players may struggle with impact injuries. If it is too soft, the surface will cause a lot of fatigue. To satisfy these stakeholders, it is essential to regularly test the pitch. While there is a wide variety in testing equipment available, some of it can help the groundsman establish some basic parameters within one hour of testing. Testing the following criteria is important at any level:
Hardness and energy return
Testing the hardness will indicate the shock the player will feel through his body, or fatigue at the end of the game. Establishing the energy return can indicate how much energy will be returned to the player or absorbed by the ground.
Surface deformation
The surface deformation is an indicator the grip a player will experience when planting his cleats in the field before starting a sprint.
Rotational traction
The rotational traction test will tell you how much force is required to slide the cleats when a player rotates and changes direction.
These tests, together with agronomic tests, can help a groundsman to get the best from his turf. This knowledge will help ensure that it not only looks good, but also offers the team the best metrics to run, and offers the fans (both at the stadium as well as those watching on TV) the best game possible. Having insight into this data will also help prevent or reduce player injuries.
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