Comments on Artificial Turf

[Jarrek]

After the draw with the Czechs, Argentina coach Hugo Tocalli was asked about the artificial turf surface. He responded: "I don't want to give excuses…[but] the surface is not appropriate for U-20. It's better for U-17."

[Sigma]

quote:Originally posted by Jarrek

After the draw with the Czechs, Argentina coach Hugo Tocalli was asked about the artificial turf surface. He responded: "I don't want to give excuses…[but] the surface is not appropriate for U-20. It's better for U-17."

I wonder if he feels the pitch is more appropriate after they beat Panama 6-0??

FIFA has paid to install fieldturf fields in all but one country in Africa and many of the stadiums will be used by national teams. Costa Rica have played WCQ's on fieldturf.

FIFA clearly thinks in some situations fieldturf is the best option, so I suspect people (Hugo Tocalli) better get use to it.

[speedmonk42]

It is certainly better than many fields we have had to play on in WCQ in the past. Fields that were more suited to low division community leagues.

[Whither Canada]

I don't think it's coincidence that we seem to be seeing way more leg cramping than usual so far.

Although the quality of the field turf keeps evolving to get closer than ever to natural grass, you're still essentially playing on top of concrete.

[Sigma]

quote:Originally posted by speedmonk42

It is certainly better than many fields we have had to play on in WCQ in the past. Fields that were more suited to low division community leagues.

Panama immediately comes to mind.

[sj]

the turf was responding better the the second match day in Ottawa and Montreal
out of the three the one at Bmo field seems to be better could it be
it is broken in already and the right dose of rubber was applied as opposed to excessive rubber pelets used in ottawa and montreal in day one of the group stage?

[speedmonk42]

Do the wet down the field at these games like they do for TFC matches?

I like playing on that stuff when it is wet better. It is less 'grabby'.

[Richard]

quote:Originally posted by Whither Canada

I don't think it's coincidence that we seem to be seeing way more leg cramping than usual so far.

Although the quality of the field turf keeps evolving to get closer than ever to natural grass, you're still essentially playing on top of concrete.

Although the exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown (idiopathic), some researchers believe inadequate stretching and muscle fatigue leads to abnormalities in mechanisms that control muscle contraction. Other factors may also be involved, including exercising or working in intense heat, dehydration and depletion of salt and minerals (electrolytes). I don't think FieldTurf versus natural grass has anything whatsoever to do with cramping, it even happens to rock-climbers.

[speedmonk42]

quote:Originally posted by Richard

quote:Originally posted by Whither Canada

I don't think it's coincidence that we seem to be seeing way more leg cramping than usual so far.

Although the quality of the field turf keeps evolving to get closer than ever to natural grass, you're still essentially playing on top of concrete.

Although the exact cause of muscle cramps is unknown (idiopathic), some researchers believe inadequate stretching and muscle fatigue leads to abnormalities in mechanisms that control muscle contraction. Other factors may also be involved, including exercising or working in intense heat, dehydration and depletion of salt and minerals (electrolytes). I don't think FieldTurf versus natural grass has anything whatsoever to do with cramping, it even happens to rock-climbers.

I think the implication is that to achieve the same 'result' the muscles may have to work slightly differently in ways they are not used to or harder in terms of a loss of energy.

For example, stopping on this surface is different than stopping on grass. No energy goes into tearing the grass/deforming the ground. It's all coming from the player. You can't plant your foot the same way on FT as you would on a softer grass field.Over 90 minutes it could ad up.



I don't know if either is true, just that the surface could certainly be involved.

[Grizzly]

The field in Ottawa is not Field Turf it is made by Sportexe. The Field Turf fields in TO and Montreal seem superior to me than the Ottawa Sportexe field.