The Incredible Science of Football Pitches

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Күн бұрын

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How do you grow a football pitch? Is it as simple as sewing a few seeds, and letting nature take its course?
Well, no. The science behind turf is so complex that Leicester City now have a “Sports Turf Academy” to teach the next generation of budding turf-professionals.
In this video, David Goldblatt explains how clubs in the past tried in vain to keep a pitch healthy, and what lengths clubs go to now to ensure their pitches are “like playing on a carpet”. Illustrated by Marco Bevilacqua.
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Music sourced from epidemicsound.com
Additional footage sourced from freestockfootagearchive.com
#Turf #FootballPitch

Пікірлер: 309

@zahreel3103 2 жыл бұрын

After watching this, I have a great respect for the people who work on and take care of pitches. Good job educating the public, TIFO

@okaydoubleu 2 жыл бұрын

Respect indeed. It takes a village to prepare, lay out and maintenance the pitches.

@SuperSanji66 2 жыл бұрын

100% agree!

@chiss22 2 жыл бұрын

Only Tifo could make me watch a 7 minute video about grass. You guys are great.

@respectedgentleman4322 2 жыл бұрын

Anyone could make one. Only Tifo can make it interesting!

@Lucious_Skywalker 14 күн бұрын

Snoop Dogg does it everyday 🤷

@albertrr3769 2 жыл бұрын

Anyone: "that's as boring as watching grass grow" Tifo: "Well actually, it's pretty interesting..."

@bwabymafia 2 жыл бұрын

When i think of “30 years ago”, my mind thinks of 1970’s not 1995. It is crazy.

@youssouferfromaids825 2 жыл бұрын

I think of 1940

@Username-wj8pz 2 жыл бұрын

Time is crazy man

@ianodonoghue6011 2 жыл бұрын

Thank god its not just me so thinking this too

@jerrybade465 2 жыл бұрын

😂 I have exactly the same feeling

@will_from_pa 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, now it makes sense why groundskeepers get REALLY mad when people walk on the pitch. Players included.

@JoshuaC923 2 жыл бұрын

My exact thoughts

@SantaDog81 2 жыл бұрын

Grows by the inch and is destroyed by the foot...

@ianmacfarlane1241 Жыл бұрын

No Ball Games.

@jamieharrison417 2 жыл бұрын

There's a story about my football club (non-League Workington AFC) when we were managed by Bill Shankly in the 1950s. The football club shared the ground with the rugby team and, according to legend, the groundsman had a special talent for somehow managing to get the pitch to a quality comparible, if not better than some first division teams, as well as regularly widening the pitch for Shankly, and narrowing it for the Rugby League team (who often played on the same weekend, if not the same day). The groundsman was called Billy Watson, and Shankly wished him to go to Huddersfield and then Liverpool with him when he left our club, but Watson preferred staying in our small town to care for his mother. Stories are shared regularly of Watson's accomplishments as a "mere" groundsman amongst the older fans of Workington AFC. It shows how much we all value a good quality football pitch, whether we're playing on it or not.

@AmbitiousAlgerian 2 жыл бұрын

Why doesnt it make rugby great since it is mentionned too ? the story is about an awesome person and it's not because of football (or rugby) tbh, there are alot of stories of workers around sports that do amazing stuff and it's about them, football fans romanticise the sport too much like Infantino when he says it'll help migrants and bring peace around the world...etc

@iansargent196 2 жыл бұрын

This needs a Disney film starring Daniel Craig and Brian Cox

@AmbitiousAlgerian 2 жыл бұрын

@Arnab Jyoti thanks man !

@fr4ctl 2 жыл бұрын

@@iansargent196 and Jason Statham

@PrateekJain21994 2 жыл бұрын

Feels good knowing this

@nigelsexhammer 2 жыл бұрын

As someone who works in a wholesale production nursery I found this very interesting and I definitely have a lot of respect for the people who keep the pitches looking good, it’s not easy to keep plants healthy

@ndjk2821 2 жыл бұрын

Fair point, Nigel Sexhammer

@hahaharithz 2 жыл бұрын

I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT ABOUT THIS!! Finally a concise analysis and explanation on it.

@shreedesai4684 2 жыл бұрын

Respect to the people who take care of the pitches, it seems like a really difficult art to master.

@mohammeddmalik 2 жыл бұрын

This evolution happened so naturally over time that I had completely forgotten about those muddy penalty boxes of the 90's! Awesome video!

@elyaetyang5107 2 жыл бұрын

A quick trip to any African premier league pitch will act as a trip back memory lane😂

@isaacmontoyalopez1154 2 жыл бұрын

Any idea why they prohibited the patterned grass? I remember the Leicester pitch... It was a work of art.

@goat9295 2 жыл бұрын

VAR and trying to decide offsides. straight lines make it much easier to tell

@keytostart7053 2 жыл бұрын

@@goat9295 so could you have your grounds-keep cut the grass seemingly horizontal - but actually slightly angled, which would offer a slight advantage on one side of the pitch?

@davidwright7193 2 жыл бұрын

@@goat9295 VAR uses multiple camera angles to fix position not just one. Also they allow vertical stripes which are no help in determining offside but ban checked which would be as good or better than horizontal stripes. So I don’t think that is it. If that was needed they would want 5m or 10m marks on each touchline similar to US football or Rugby.

@EXTREMESEAMAN69 Жыл бұрын

It could be a multiple factors (consistent identity across games), distracting to players/ viewers idk but its a real shame because its killing an art form. I understand having some regulations so we don't end up getting ads mowed into the field, but it seems like a big step to completely ban all patterns

@yesyes5515 2 жыл бұрын

The mapei stadium (sassuolo's ground in reggio emilia) is merged with a mall and there's a gym where you can see the pitch, I used to go to that gym and see some of these pitch maintenance processes, it looks really cool and interesting.

@subhanzulfiqar5768 2 жыл бұрын

Before watching this video, I would have never imagined how much care and science is involved behind a football pitch. Very informative video. 👍

@dantespina7398 2 жыл бұрын

Cheers! Installing this in my back garden as we speak

@henryhealy 2 жыл бұрын

I had no idea this much work went into having a pitch in matchday condition. I've a newfound respect for anyone that maintains them.

@razzy123456 2 жыл бұрын

Loved this, but grass isn't matt on one side and gloss on the other 😂 The rollers on the mowers push the grass flat; but not quite all the way flat, so reflects the sunlight in one direction making that stripe seem brighter in colour from one end, walk to the other end of that stripe and look the opposite way down it and that same stripe will now appear dark because it's been flattened toward you. Repeat the process up and down a lawn in opposite directions and you stripe it. Source: I cut grass for a living

@lucasphilliproger 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, totally agree. When I heard the video say that it made me question what else they might've gotten wrong. So now I can't trust anything in the video without fact-checking it all :/

@davidsaville5239 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I thought mat and gloss were types of paint

@tobisegun-lean2593 2 жыл бұрын

No actually I believe the video is right. You cut normal grass, whereas the grass on the football pitch is matte on one side and glossy on the other side, it's artificially grown grass. A simple google would help you clarify

@mitchelljack1590 2 жыл бұрын

You’re definitely wrong

@razzy123456 2 жыл бұрын

@@tobisegun-lean2593 the majority of the big pitches use a system called 'Desso Grassmaster' which is only about 3% artificial grass (plastic) the other 97% is 'normal' grass as you put it. They mow the same grass that I do, with very expensive, very heavy mowers with rollers on them. Google what rollers do and you'll have your answer.

@CS-ft6by 2 жыл бұрын

People always think about technology as electronics, but they don't think about how everything around us is technology. Seeing how "simple" things like grass growing advancements make a big deal in life

@pmishra8044 2 жыл бұрын

I always have sooo much respect and admiration for the backroom staff in sports! They deserve some to be honest 🤠

@abdul-hameed 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful video as usual. A tutorial on how you plan and create your videos would be nice.

@mytubbie67 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, no wonder my yard doesn’t always look perfect. What huge budget this must require for the clubs. Must be nice to play on.

@myp0h 2 жыл бұрын

I think of Barcelona when they talk about cutting the last mm of grass on matchday. They actually water it lightly as well.

@MEDICHI_AD 2 жыл бұрын

The content on this channel is always informative and spot on. I really do look forward to new daily releases. Thanking you from NYC.

@leonardbanda7416 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love this channel. So insightful

@mihailokacarevic6945 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video as ever, wonder if you could do a series on stadiums in general (from the stands, to the shops and gates etc..). This could be the 1 ep

@joesheridan52 2 жыл бұрын

This is the video I have been waiting for! I love this channel. Keep it up!

@thztan7492 2 жыл бұрын

Wow. Great knowledge & respect for all the maintenance crew for the pitch👍👍👍

@JoshAston23 9 ай бұрын

Great video, thank you. I have now repaired my back garden and now been shortlisted as a potential host for the FA Vase final!

@jonathonperez64 2 жыл бұрын

thank you TIFO! as a groundsman I appreciate your accuracy of information!!

@Hafris33 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, didn't know how much info about the grass field in the stadium would be this many. Thanks for the info video, really appreciate it.

@TheMrFishnDucks Жыл бұрын

Very informative video. Keep up the good work.

@mikewarmbold3820 2 жыл бұрын

Every time I see a new knee slide celebration making a trail on a rainy day I feel for the grounds crew

@pavelstamov Ай бұрын

So many people just realised(including myself) how much effort is put in simply on pitch.Thank you @Tifo Football for sharing so much to us over several years.

@sanjedarmanbishal672 2 жыл бұрын

Good job TIFO, Very informative!!

@davidashmore3929 2 жыл бұрын

Brings back memories of the Baseball Ground in the 70's. Repainting the penalty spot as the pitch was so muddy against Man City.

@Wreckedandruinedand 2 жыл бұрын

A much appreciated new knowledge. Now im one step closer to reach my dream of becoming a football pitch specialist. Thank you very much Tifo...

@lemaradona8127 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I loved those Leicester City pitches.

@zonetime9102 2 жыл бұрын

i never knew the effort but by pitch developers in ensuring this beautiful game is played hassle free as possible , kudos to them

@TheShamansQuestion 2 жыл бұрын

This reinforces for me how complicated even "small" aspects of life are. Each solution produced consequences that needed further, unconventional solutions. Think of the technology involved in each step! It's easy to take the whole process for granted. I see this as a lesson to not just re-evaluate "failure" but also success - success is made through many unseen trials.

@lewisitor 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that's alot of work, salute to all the Maestro

@adzranfaiz3772 2 жыл бұрын

This is very interesting. Great job to whoever do research on it

@96Shalom 2 жыл бұрын

I didn’t know I needed this video, but very happy I’ve watched it!

@TheGkrishnan 2 жыл бұрын

Great job educating us.

@ryancortez8650 2 жыл бұрын

One of the most indepth videos I've ever seen Video recommendation:How to manage a football club

@benba8342 2 жыл бұрын

This is why I pay for The Athletic. Absolute delight, thank you so much!

@manme6051 2 жыл бұрын

This is by far my favorite Tifo video!!

@tobiathon80 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating. Thanks

@georgekariuki6960 2 жыл бұрын

Wow!now I understand.thanks for the info

@yungtrashlord 2 жыл бұрын

this football pitch grass process sounds so technical it could be an entire university course by itself

@chanachon56 2 жыл бұрын

Funnily enough....it actually is. In the US at least, you can get an entire bachelors degree purely for grass growing and maintenance.

@ColorMeMozart 2 жыл бұрын

So simple! 😂 That was amazing and blew my mind ay how much work is involved. Thanks for such a great explanation! ⚽️

@PrabhavKhandelwal 2 жыл бұрын

What an awesome nerdy video, I always wondered about this stuff

@Inthreadwetrust2 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure why, but this is everything I ever wanted to know about a pitch... THANK YOU! :)

@andyandre7814 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Tifo...an all round football Chanel

@explodethebomb 2 жыл бұрын

How many clubs can afford all this? Ideally it would be all professional clubs, but I'm guessing it's probably more like the premier league + the wealthier championship clubs

@hadenwesley6548 2 жыл бұрын

I want to know why a football pitch has a massive drop off on the edges. I understand the slope from middle for drainage but having the pitch drop so steeply almost directly after the touchline seems strange

@nemerem.A 2 жыл бұрын

Dude how do you get all these information. Massive respect

@henrydauseb2844 2 жыл бұрын

Tifo coming up with stories we never knew we needed.

@TheVoltaire1 2 жыл бұрын

Such a shame they banned other grass patterns. I loved the Leicester City pitch. Gave the ground more character.

@allenqueen 2 жыл бұрын

that would inevitably lead to company logo outlines being displayed on the grass. Good thing it was banned

@aldobonaso3481 2 жыл бұрын

@@allenqueen I think it was more due to the fact that the lines on the pitch made it easier for linesmen (assistant refs nowadays) to judge offside calls.

@BobBob-ye3gz 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, would've been very cool some of the awesome designs some teams would maintain.

@BobBob-ye3gz 2 жыл бұрын

@@allenqueen no they could have banned that as a specific thing but allow geometric or other types of cutting as a personal touch

@WanderingWriter91 2 жыл бұрын

This is as exciting as watching grass grow... Which turns out to actually be exciting 🤷‍♂️

@BikeNEPA 2 жыл бұрын

Good day, Can you guys do a series on the youth academy system? How they started, how they work, lifestyle of a player in one, success/fail rates etc.

@Raptorman0909 2 жыл бұрын

That's a lot more involved than I ever imagined.

@oa793 2 жыл бұрын

Yes more videos like this please

@bharatavarsha10k 2 жыл бұрын

Respect++ for pitch team

@bhobg 2 жыл бұрын

Good stuff. A lot in common with how golf courses are maintained

@behindthegame3587 2 жыл бұрын

Do the athletic have a grass reporter 🤷‍♂️I need more of this

@ToonLadRob 2 жыл бұрын

Good effort. So many things I wouldn’t recommend or do after working on football pitches for 10 years.

@daniellanger2905 2 жыл бұрын

Tifo, would you mind doing a magic of the cup video? Maybe talk about nonleague teams? Help them through recognition in your video but also describe why teams seem to be struggling more and more against nonleague and lower league sides in the cups

@saiwonsein4533 2 жыл бұрын

I cannot thank TIFO enough for the contents they make here.

@lorenzomartinez8543 2 жыл бұрын

Incredible video

@akamiguelsanchez9985 2 жыл бұрын

Chelsea’s sand pitch was iconic

@balham5606 2 жыл бұрын

It is good video well done A video on the 3G artificial pitch can be good

@ojogobonito3840 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing football history and insight. Reminded me of the great design that the king power pitch had. I’ve got somewhat similar videos on my channel if you’re interested.

@breuntphiri4654 2 жыл бұрын

This was an interesting watch

@churchill9535 2 жыл бұрын

need this pitch in my backyard asap!

@aanon4019 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating

@azzaKaiapoi 2 жыл бұрын

Massive respect to those who, 'row at greater shooting density'

@Spiedi2012 2 жыл бұрын

awesome video as always

@mrh6221 2 жыл бұрын

The carpet has to be my favourite 🤩 well done to the Arsenal grounds man

@user-hd8ej8yx9p 2 жыл бұрын

this was fantastic

@krotos6134 2 жыл бұрын

To me, the greatest advance in football tecnology is the pitch. At least to me it had a far greater impact over the game than the ball, boots and gloves. (of course leaving the old leather balls and the fact that keepers didn´t use gloves aside)

@tomekwolny5606 2 жыл бұрын

With all that said - kudos by the way for the great vid - which premierleague / championship stadiums have the best pitches and what makes them better than others?

@rickrank321 2 жыл бұрын

Arsenal have long had one of the best, if not the best, pitch in the prem. Hence, it's nickname "the carpet"

@fishyfish6510 2 жыл бұрын

Wow that's a lot of work!

@marcusson1983 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent vid

@kwazilucas 2 жыл бұрын

Damn I didn't know all of this. It's wild how much we don't know about the work that is put into all this.

@samroberts7229 2 жыл бұрын

We love a Halifax town mention

@Ace-zc3tt 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks man now I can make a premier league standard football pitch in my garden

@iMannyFest 2 жыл бұрын

That was really interesting.. thank you. 🙏🏾 Banning the unique grass cutting patterns is a little much I think. Unless there is some logic to the ban… anyone any ideas???

@DenDave_ 2 жыл бұрын

The main issue i took from this video is that 1995 is almost 30 years ago and that hurts on a whole new level

@fernandosalazar2298 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks TIFO, may I ask on behalf of Mr Clough how do they tend to the grass in the clouds?

@caseyfalconer7347 2 жыл бұрын

When I first started watching the premier league football in 98 one of the best looking pitches then was Highburys. Even in winter the pitch looked decent.

@monde7563 2 жыл бұрын

The Emirates stadium also had a top pitch and was considered the best for a long while. Arsenal has a special thing with their groundsmen fo sho.

@matteotc 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing video

@Geokinkladze Жыл бұрын

Man City made great strides with undersoil heating at Maine Rd in the late 70's/early 80's while other clubs struggled. Despite being a club who were perennially lower table (if not relegation battlers) at the time, City went top of the league during a period of otherwise Liverpool domination ostensibly due to the fact everyone else's games kept being called off.

@Lebethu Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info, however, the soundtrack is dope

@RandomGuy12562 2 жыл бұрын

pls make a video about how football stats used to be collected and what methods are used today

@andresaguilar723 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video! :)

@w4sntme 2 жыл бұрын

If anybody is curious about this topic, ask your local golf-club if the greenkeeping staff is in need of new employees. Usually they are and you have a wonderful job outside

@harshdhankar3551 2 жыл бұрын

My respect for Pitch Curators has only gone up...

@dggarb 2 жыл бұрын

I am starting to understand the type of content Joe provides for the Tifo team

@BestBoyPatrick 2 жыл бұрын

Why did I watch this video with a sense of legitimate intrigue?

@RaZeyLWindBladE 2 жыл бұрын

See I'm interested with this because, in Singapore, we tried to keep our only one national football field as good as this one. We even build a huge stadium for it! And we still failed the field test. Pun intended.

@pumayaya 2 жыл бұрын

I know a friend who is a golf course technician. He talks about this kind of stuff all the time.

@daratheprofessional1827 2 жыл бұрын

Although you wouldn't notice it standing on a football pitch.. the pitch isn't perfectly level and flat there needs to be a fall from one corner to the opposite corner of 1-2 meters for the drainage to work. Same as flat roof.