Hybrid Pitches: The Maintenance Conundrum

November 16, 2020 · Dean Gilasbey

I was involved recently in a project to raise buried fibres on a hybrid carpet pitch in a western European country, and it was a great success for more than one reason. I have often said that from every negative, there is a positive. The positive from this experience was an opportunity to train ground staff to identify potential problems with their hybrid pitches. The pitch in question was a carpet system. However, the surface was undulated and the KORO® FIELD TOPMAKER® (FTM) could not be used to clean out the organic matter (Note: use laser level the pitches in future). Buried fibres must be lifted and visible on the surface after renovations. The ProPitch team jumped in to help staff conduct a full renovation with limited machinery.

The Introduction of Hybrid Pitches
There are several types of hybrid pitches on the market today, from stitched pitches to hybrid carpets, fibres, and, more recently, AirFibre, a cork-filled hybrid system. Since the introduction of hybrid pitches in 1993, we have seen a rapid rise in hybrid installations. It is no surprise that football, particularly in Europe, has increased in playing speed by over 20%. It is directly linked to the type of surfaces on which football is played. Hybrid pitches have been used in the UK and Europe for the past 20 years. Well-maintained hybrid pitches are more likely to have the same characteristics throughout the year. Even with no grass, the traction/grip values are more likely to be retained. The grip gives a player the confidence to place his/her foot and turn. Natural pitches with less grass coverage or wetter conditions could see a player slip and be more at risk for injuries. Lifespan depends on a few critical factors, which also would see the maximum benefit to the end-user; below are some examples.

Hybrid pitches would benefit rugby massively as they reduce the surface disruption following scrums.

Regular cleaning and removing organic matter is key to the success of a hybrid pitch.

Installation
Without a doubt, correct installation is one of the key factors to increasing longevity in a hybrid pitch, especially with a carpet system. The base layer must be very flat. Undulations within the subsurface after installing the hybrid carpet will make it extremely difficult to carry out essential renovations. Consultants will always recommend the type of sand used for the installation (USGA specified sands). Incorrect coarse sands have been used in some projects that make the surface too firm for the player and increase injury chances. The stitched or carpet system's layer being laid on must have good infiltration values concerning the subbase.

Best Practice:

•  Use a reputable company to carry out due diligence on each Hybrid system.

•  Research the after-care service of the company

•  If possible, speak to others that have installed a hybrid pitch to get their feedback.

•  If you do not want a pitch consultant visiting you in 3 months, make sure it is installed the first time correctly.

Buried fibres, show no interaction with the players footing.

Renovation
The renovation will heavily influence the longevity of a hybrid pitch. I have seen numerous cases where stitched pitches have lasted over 15 years. The correct renovation and its timing will ensure the longevity of the product. Notably, a well-renovated carpet type hybrid pitch can secure its longevity. (in some cases, for over five years). Poor renovations will damage the fibres, rip out fibres, tear the carpet or bury the fibres.

Best Practice:

• Use reputable contractors to carry out the renovation work even if they might cost more

Too much glue in the backing limiting root growth and infiltration values.

•  If renovations are carried out in-house, then take your time.

•  Start by removing only small increments, 1 – 2mm removal first, then take several smaller passes, not one big pass.

•  It might be time consuming or expensive, but the benefits are worth the effort to do a good job.
  
  

Regular maintenance
I was recently in a country where someone said that hybrid pitches make the groundsmen lazy and are easy to maintain. This could not be further from the truth. Having a hybrid pitch means you must adapt your skills; adaption is the operative word for the transition from natural pitches to hybrid pitches. You need to understand the importance and the role of the fibres. Without the interaction of the fibres, the pitch quickly becomes a natural pitch again. Regularly scarifying with a uni-rake during the growing season will ensure the fibres stay upright. Any topdressing must be followed with dedicated brushing, uni-rake, or any other means to lift the fibres upright.

Best Practice:

    The key is never to bury the fibres in the first place.

Tournament Delivery

Ask any groundsman, consultant, or tournament organiser what they recommend for a pitch install for any significant event or what would help to mitigate risks for major tournaments - and many of us will tell you to consider a reinforced pitch.

How not to install a hybrid pitch.

I have been involved in FIFA Club World Cup Finals with hybrid pitches in 4 of the past five years. The Champions League Finals have all been on hybrid pitches, with only one being a natural pitch. The natural pitch had problems when assessed using an Advanced Artificial Athlete (AAA), indicating the pitch was too soft just two days before a club final. I ascertained we would see more players experiencing fatigue (such as cramps) because of it. On match day, that is precisely what happened.

Buried fibres = The surface is not a hybrid pitch.

Increased demand

In the last six years, we have seen an increase in hybrid pitch sales, and many companies have come over from the synthetic world with very little knowledge of grass maintenance. Unfortunately, this lack of knowledge introduces a whole new set of risks that they may not be aware of or prepared for. It is concerning and makes me wonder if there should be a trade body regulating companies in this sector. I suggest regulation because I have lost count of the number of times I have been called to assess a failed pitch. One synthetic pitch was installed as a hybrid, and immediately after (as in immediately -- with no time to grow the grass from seed), they laid turf on top of the carpet. The companies involved blamed each other. The base works contractor and ground staff blamed the construction. The ones that lost out were the stadium owners. Bear in mind, very few litigations go to court and are won because there is too much subjectivity in the arguments. Because of these things I have witnessed first-hand, I recommend Key Stage Inspections (KSI's).

Turf Farms

Some turf farm suppliers do a fantastic job with hybrid pitches. However, since the introduction of hybrid turf to turf farms, we have seen repeated hybrid turf installs where the fibres are buried, making it an expensive natural pitch. Turf farm suppliers have been around for many years, installing natural sods. Natural turf sods require thatch to ensure the pitch can be harvested, transported, and installed with minimal disruption to the turf. The thatch acts as an anchor for the rolls to prevent them from breaking up during the harvesting to install process. Hybrid pitches can be harvested with little to no thatch as the carpet backing can be used to keep the sods in place. For a turf farm supplier to grow a hybrid pitch, they need to adapt their techniques. Some understand this, but many do not. When it's done wrong, fibres lay flat, buried in sand or organic matter. Just remember if a stud does not interact with the fibres, you don't have a hybrid pitch.

Hybrid pitches would minimize the damage from a scrum.

Benefits and Potential Investment

Despite the negatives, there are many positives to a good hybrid pitch.

Rugby

While introducing a hybrid pitch into the rugby fraternity is slow, rugby would undoubtedly benefit from hybrid systems. One could not get a better selling plateau than the introduction of the six-nation stadiums a few years ago. For years, Twickenham, Millennium Stadium, Murrayfield, Lansdowne Road, and Stade de France struggled with keeping the pitches in pristine condition, as the tournaments were played during the darkest time of the year -- winter! Nevertheless, five of the six-nation venues switched to hybrid pitches within one or two seasons, and things nearly changed overnight.

Rugby is crying out for hybrid pitches more than football. With the intensity of the scrums, even last year's Rugby World Cup Tournament in Japan showed evidence of poor pitches. The Rugby World Cup should be the pinnacle of a rugby player's dream, with surfaces as good as the tournament. Scrums are like the goal-keeping areas, only worse because 16 grown men are pushing at a 45-degree angle with such a force that even natural pitches will have difficulty keeping stable throughout the season. I used to be a rugby groundsman, and I knew that I had no pitch if I had no roots. Hybrid pitches will improve the scrummages, leading to less collapsed scrums and less damage. Hybrid offers much better traction for the players.

American Football

Another sport that would benefit from hybrid pitches is American football. The Americans are advanced in many areas, but they still use Tarpaulin sheets to protect the pitch and re-sod regularly. Nevertheless, a well-maintained hybrid pitch would not require Tarpaulin to prevent the rain from flooding the pitch.

The cost of sodding a pitch frequently must be massive instead of installing a hybrid pitch that can last 5 -15 years. They would still need to invest in lighting rigs and maintenance equipment, however, but there would be so much benefit to the NFL.

The Take-Away:

For a successful hybrid pitch

• Turf farms suppliers need training on how to grow Hybrid pitches. Independent assessments can be done pre and post mobilisation

•     Ensure the surface is installed with the correct sands and machinery by an experienced company and seek references

•     Salespeople may say you don't need to maintain hybrid pitches, and this should be a red flag because they need more attention.

•     Ensure you have the correct equipment to lift the fibres regularly throughout the year.

•     An annual renovation should be carried out by a specialist company or ground staff that understands what is required.

If you can ensure the above is done correctly, you will enjoy the benefits of one of the most reliable pitch products available.

Stay safe!
Dean Gilasbey