Field performance
28 October 2026
6 min read
Why shock pads are the most important layer you never see.
Walk onto a finished pitch and every visible decision has already been
made: the turf colour, the line markings, the infill depth. Beneath it
all sits the layer that decides how the surface actually behaves under
a player — the shock pad.
A pad is not a cushion added at the end of the build. It is part of the
impact system, and it changes how force travels from the foot through
the turf and into the sub-base.
What a shock pad actually does
During a run or a landing, the surface has to absorb energy without
becoming unstable. A well-specified pad reduces peak impact force,
controls vertical deformation and returns energy in a predictable
way. Too little absorption and players feel a hard surface; too much
and the field feels soft, slow and tiring.
The perforated profile matters as much as the thickness. Perforations
give water a path through the pad and allow the system to breathe,
which helps the field recover after rain and reduces the risk of
trapped moisture under the turf.
Thickness alone does not describe performance. Force reduction,
deformation and drainage have to be specified together.
Standards
16 September 2026
5 min read
FIFA Quality and FIFA Quality Pro: what the tests measure.
The two FIFA levels are often treated as a marketing badge. In
practice they describe different performance envelopes, and the
test report tells you which one a turf system has actually met.
FIFA Quality is the entry level for football turf. FIFA Quality Pro
is the higher tier, intended for competition surfaces with more
demanding performance requirements. Both look at the interaction of
turf, infill and base — not at a single product in isolation.
What gets measured
- Force reduction and vertical deformation under impact
- Energy restitution and ball behaviour
- Surface interaction, including traction and slip resistance
- Durability and performance retention after simulated use
This is why a pad tested on its own is not the same as a system
tested together. When you review a report, check which turf, infill
depth and sub-base the result refers to.
Materials
5 August 2026
4 min read
SBR, EPDM or TPE: choosing the right infill.
Infill is the layer players feel most directly. It affects ball roll,
foot stability, splash and the way the turf recovers after a match.
The three common material families trade cost against appearance,
cleanliness and longevity.
SBR
Styrene-butadiene rubber, typically from recycled tyres. It is the
value option: strong performance per tonne, black colour, and widely
used on community and training fields.
EPDM
Ethylene propylene diene monomer. Available in stable colours, which
makes it the usual choice where the client wants a green or coloured
surface that keeps its appearance. Higher cost than SBR.
TPE
Thermoplastic elastomer. Metal-free, clean and low-odour, with good
colour retention. It carries the highest material cost and is
specified where environmental or player-comfort requirements are
strictest.
Whichever material you choose, grading and cleanliness matter as
much as the polymer. Ask for the grading curve and a sample, not
just the material name.
Operations
24 June 2026
4 min read
Protecting a finished pitch during maintenance and events.
Most turf damage is not caused by players. It comes from the
equipment and temporary infrastructure that arrives after the field
is handed over: lift platforms, generators, staging, vehicles and
storage containers.
A ground protection mat works by spreading a point load across a
larger area. The aim is to keep the pressure on the turf below the
level that crushes the pile or compacts the infill.
Practical rules on site
- Lay mats on the completed surface before equipment arrives
- Keep panel joints tight and avoid concentrated jack points
- Clean mats before stacking so debris does not scratch the turf
- Inspect and replace damaged panels rather than patching them
Protection is cheaper than remediation. A small mat inventory,
specified for the site’s heaviest access case, is usually the
most cost-effective maintenance decision a venue makes.
