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10-30-2024

How to Maintain a High-Performing Field Hockey Field

Racket sports like padel and pickleball may be getting a lot of buzz among sports facility owners looking out for popular new pastimes. But for those in the know, another sport in the U.S. has been rising in the ranks. Today, growing numbers of girls and college-aged women, in particular, are taking to field hockey fields with the desire to compete.

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), high school field hockey participation has grown 2% annually over the past five years, with nearly 60,000 girls now playing high school field hockey and about 6,500 women competing at the NCAA level. And with girls’ field sports in general getting their (overdue) day in the sun — something you need only look to the rise of girls’ soccer tournaments for evidence of — it makes sense that field hockey was next up to take off.

As a field hockey field or facility owner, that means now is an exciting time to equip up-and-coming field hockey players with a safe, high-performing field to practice and compete on. Luckily, field hockey fields have an advantage here due to the sport’s standardized use of artificial turf. 

Those who’ve long followed field hockey history in the U.S. may recall that many facilities started transitioning from natural grass to artificial turf field hockey fields in the 1970s, with synthetic turf becoming mandatory for most major field hockey competitions in 1976. No matter the size of field hockey competitions you’re hosting, though, a well-installed artificial turf system comes with some big benefits. 

A synthetic turf hockey field doesn’t just look professional. It’ll also see to your field hockey players’ safety while creating the best possible conditions for a high-energy game. But just because turf fields supported by a high-quality infill are known for being low-maintenance doesn’t mean they require zero upkeep. For a synthetic turf field that keeps athletes protected and looks as good as it plays, you’ll need to perform some basic field maintenance.

Below, we’ll walk you through the steps for must-do hockey field maintenance. But first, let’s make sure we understand the advantages of artificial turf field hockey fields in the first place.

The Benefits of an Artificial Turf for Field Hockey Fields

It’s not an exaggeration to say that synthetic turf has revolutionized the game of field hockey, making for a faster, more dynamic sport for players and spectators alike. That’s because, compared to natural grass, artificial turf allows for better ball control and smoother, more precise passes, inviting field hockey players to be more agile and competitive as a result. 

Picture the difference like this: With a quality sports turf system, players can effectively fly down the hockey field. When playing on grass, divots and unevenness inevitably slow things down, trip up running feet, and get in the way of clean passes. That makes artificial turf the natural choice for a famously fast-paced sport like field hockey.

A well-installed synthetic turf field is also equipped to handle the wear and tear of multiple games better than natural grass. Over the course of a season, a grass field can quickly become patchy, muddy, or uneven due to repeated foot traffic, intense games, and weather-fueled factors. Even with regular maintenance like mowing, aeration, and replanting, grass fields often struggle to recover fully between field hockey games. This can lead to areas of dead grass, compacted soil, and even dangerous ruts that may impact player safety.

In contrast, a quality synthetic sports turf system is engineered to withstand competitive play. Unlike grass blades that are easily torn up or damaged by cleats and sliding players, turf fibers — buttressed by a good turf infill — are designed to spring back into place. That will help your field maintain a uniform surface even after the most intense matches. 

And with a drainage-optimized turf infill, your field is less at the mercy of changing seasons and extreme weather, too. No more bare spots caused by drought, freezing temperatures, pests, or water-logged months that threaten to leave your field unplayable. Just a resilient, consistent field surface meant to increase playtime and reduce downtime — so long as the right turf maintenance steps are taken.

Why Artificial Turf Maintenance is Key for Field Hockey Field Performance

As wonderfully low-maintenance as turf fields are, that doesn’t mean they’re altogether without upkeep. Maintaining your field hockey turf is about more than just aesthetics. A synthetic turf hockey field that’s well taken care of will take care of both players and your investment in turn, protecting athletes and the overall lifespan of your field. 

Without regular care, issues like hard patches or uneven surfaces can pop up as the result of turf fibers or infill shifting or becoming compacted from heavy use. That makes turf less forgiving when players fall or slide, increasing the risk of injuries. Not only that, but in a sport where precision, speed, and quick pivots are critical, even minor irregularities in a playing surface can cause balls to bounce unpredictably, passes to lose accuracy, and players’ ability to control the ball and make rapid decisions to be compromised, disrupting the flow of the game.

Thankfully, artificial turf maintenance is a lot simpler to perform than all the time, money, and effort that tends to go into keeping up a natural grass field hockey field. By setting and adhering to a turf maintenance schedule that covers the following areas, you can ensure your turf is kept in tip-top shape for field hockey seasons to come. 

Kentucky Country Day School

Tips for Maintaining a Turf Field Hockey Field

1. Clean your field regularly.

Debris on your hockey field can create hazards, disrupt gameplay, and contribute to unnecessary wear on your turf. Routinely remove even small items like leaves, sticks, and tiny pieces of trash from your field’s surface with a turf-specific broom or leaf blower. That will prevent these items from getting embedded into the turf and clogging your drainage system. 

2. Water your field hockey field.

If you’ve watched a field hockey game before, you may be wondering, “Why do they spray water on field hockey turf?” Watering the field reduces friction, ensuring the ball glides smoothly across the surface for a faster game with improved player control. Smoother ball movement means less wear and tear on players’ equipment, too, like the sticks used to strike the ball quickly across the field. 

From a field longevity and safety standpoint, wetting your turf field helps regulate its temperature on hot days, protecting the turf from any heat damage and reducing the risk of heat-related injuries for athletes. For optimal conditions, fields should be watered before each game or practice. Depending on the climate in your area and the intensity of your game schedule, though, you might also water your field at halftime or between sessions. Larger facilities often use an automated irrigation system for this purpose. 

3. Sanitize and disinfect your field hockey field.

To keep your playing surface safe for field hockey players, it’s important to sanitize your field regularly, eliminating any harbored bacteria or other contaminants. You can do this by applying non-toxic, turf-safe disinfectants to your field’s surface. You could also choose a turf infill product that works around the clock to keep your turf system clean for you. 

Case in point: Each grain of Envirofill infill is infused with Microban® heavy-metal free antimicrobial product protection, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and microbes that drive stains, odors, and turf system deterioration in the first place. That’s just one reason Envirofill is the next era in synthetic turf infill, with unparalleled health and safety advantages for athletes and an industry-best 16-year warranty. 

4. Test your sports turf’s hardness.

Over time, turf infill can shift or compact due to weather or heavy use. Regardless of your sports turf system materials though, you’ll want to periodically test your turf’s hardness to determine if the field has become too firm or too soft for safe play. And that means looking at your GMAX level. 

GMAX is a measure of the impact attenuation, or shock absorbency, of your field, and measures above 200 signal an increased risk of concussions and other fall-related injuries. A turf professional will help identify your field’s current GMAX rating and guide you on how to improve your field’s safety and performance, in keeping your field’s specific environment and conditions, ensuring your facility meets field hockey rules and safety standards.

5. Re-line the field.

If you have a multi-purpose field and have painted your field hockey field lines on the turf, there are important guidelines to follow to protect your field. Re-line your field as needed to ensure your field hockey field dimensions and positions remain clear. Using a high-quality paint designed for turf will ensure the lines remain visible and durable, maintaining compliance with field hockey rules. For a refresher on the right field hockey field dimensions to follow, check out the Hockey Turf & Field Standards guide from the International Hockey Federation. You also need to make sure you’re properly removing the paint – which we can walk you through in this blog

Maintaining your field hockey field doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By following these tips and addressing any issues promptly, you’ll be able to provide a safe, high-performing field for your players, powering the competitive, fast-paced play that makes this sport stand out. 

For more hockey field maintenance help, Motz is committed to being there throughout the life of your synthetic turf field, with a range of turf field maintenance programs and services that’ll keep your field hockey field in ideal playing condition year-round.  Learn About Our Deep Clean, Performance Testing, and Rapid Repair Solutions

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