The professional coach’s view of synthetic turf in football...4 5 The professional coach’s view...

The professional coach’s view of synthetic turf in footballESTO and Coaches BV

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The professional coach’s view of synthetic turf in football

Introduction - The professional coach’s view of synthetic turf in footballThe last 10 years has seen major innovations in the development of artificial surfaces designed for football. This development now allows the game to be played on artificial grass that replicates the playing characteristics of the best quality natural turf pitches whilst increasing the levels of use.

Until fairly recently artificial pitches have primarily been installed for community use at training or coaching venues. The success of these surfaces has led to an increased acceptance of synthetic turf, to such an extent that over the last few years they have started to be used for competitive matches in professional competitions including FIFA World Cup qualification matches, the UEFA Champions League and in top flight football throughout Italy, Russia and the Netherlands.

Who is ESTO?The European Synthetic Turf Organisation was officially established in 2010 as a non-profit organisation and offers neutral and unbiased information about the development of synthetic turf and aims to promote the numerous advantages and benefits.

ESTO also provides a forum for all parties to meet, exchange knowledge and communicate along the business chain. With the aim of providing advice, information and guidance regarding all aspects of synthetic turf, in particular how synthetic turf can play a major role in developing sport and improving community development.

It is an organisation that brings everyone together to discuss, debate, research and develop the future of synthetic turf.

Who is Coaches BV?Coaches BV is the Dutch professional football coaches association, with a clear vision and mission to ensure quality and professionalism in training, development, behaviour and performance throughout elite coaching in the Netherlands.

Representing more than 480 professional football coaches, Coaches BV acts to further develop and professionalise the football coaching industry. Central to its priorities is to oversee the development of its member coaches and the wider coaching profession as a whole.

It also offers itself as an advisory and knowledge centre for government, business partners and other businesses with a vested interest in Dutch football and coaching.The European Synthetic Turf Organisation

6, Avenue E. | Van Nieuwenhuyse | B - 1160 Brussels T: +32 2 676 74 72 | F: +32 2 676 74 74 | www.theESTO.com

Helping you make the right choice.

COMMUNITY

ECONOMICS

EDUCATION

ENVIRONMENT

PERFORMANCE

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QUESTION 1

Please state your gender.

Male 98.1%

Female 1.9%

While natural turf remains the proliferate surface used for coaching sessions, the response rate of those who have either ‘Sometimes’, ‘Usually’ or ‘Always’ coached on synthetic turf (>95%) demonstrates that the sample population are well placed to give their objective views on the relative merits of both surfaces.

QUESTION 2

Which surfaces have you coached on?

Why conduct this study?The purpose of this study was to gather information from professional coaches regarding their opinions and views on football playing surfaces – both natural and synthetic turf. It is important to engage with the coaching community and get their feedback as they remain the primary influencer in the development of players and football generally.

By surveying members of Coaches BV from the Netherlands we were able to ensure the following:

• A guarantee in terms of the coach’s knowledge and professionalism

• A guarantee of a good sample size and a fair representation of the population

• A guarantee that the coaches had a good level of exposure to both synthetic and natural turf

• A guarantee of impartiality – Coaches BV members are independent and objective

The results will be used to guide future research and development regarding football surfaces, and will allow a better understanding of the viewpoint of coaches ‘on the ground’ when assessing the future use of synthetic turf versus natural grass. The aim of the research is to showcase the opinions, both positive and negative, of synthetic turf and its use in the professional game.

We hope that you enjoy this new publication and that the opinions and analysis will form a useful tool for all as we aim to enlighten key stakeholders, policy makers and the wider sporting public to the views of the coaching family on synthetic turf usage in football. It would be fair to say that it really does seem synthetic turf is a game changer!

How was this study conducted?The research was conducted solely online, and done so via direct email communication from Coaches BV to its member base.

Hosted online, the survey contained 14 questions and was filled in anonymously. It did however require authentication that the respondent was a Coaches BV member, hence maintaining its authenticity and credibility.

Response rateFrom a possible 480 members (respondents), full results were obtained from 110 of these. This gives a population sample of 23%, an above industry standard average response rate for customer or member based surveys.

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

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QUESTION 3

Are players able to develop better technical skills by training on synthetic turf?

Yes 61.7%

No 38.3%

From the days of ‘Total Football’ synonymous with the Ajax team of the 1970’s through to the modern day national team which includes such technically gifted players as Robin van Persie, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben, Dutch football is both now and historically regarded as creating some of the best technical players in the world.

More than 60% of professional coaches in the country state that players are better able to develop their technical skills when training on artificial surfaces rather than natural grass, with one coach believing this is due to “the circumstances being the same and perfect”.

One other respondent believed it helped develop technical skills “because it is always flat, with increased ball speed which therefore needs quicker thought processes and improved technical ability”.

Why?

“It’s always flat, with increased ball speed which therefore needs quicker thought processes and improved technical ability.”

“It is easier to learn the basics on artificial because you only have to deal with the ball and no other external factors.”

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QUESTION 4

Longer term, will players’ techniques be better developed by playing and training on synthetic turf?

The majority of coaches (57%) believe that longer term, synthetic turf will produce better technical footballers.

“When you train on synthetic turf there is not the element of the unexpected” and “the environment is always the same”. Coaches do however increasingly recognise that a combination of both natural AND synthetic turf is a good way to develop better technical players, with several respondents stating “I think that a combination of both is the best way to develop players”, and “they must train on both types of turf in order to learn how to adapt their technique”.

Yes 56.6%

No 43.4%

QUESTION 5

Does training and playing on synthetic turf improve skill acquisition amongst your players?

The acquisition of skill at the very top level in Dutch football is better accomplished on synthetic turf according to 69% of coaches – another revealing statistic based on the general high regard for skill levels produced within Dutch football.

Yes 69.2%

No 30.8%

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QUESTION 6

Have you ever had to change the content of a coaching session based on the type or condition of a playing surface?

While 62% of coaches stated they had never had to alter the content of their sessions due to the condition of the surface, of the 38% who did many were due to “the surface being too hard or too soft and wet”, the pitch being “wet, dry etc.”, “the surface was bad, therefore a passing game was not possible”, or “the natural turf surface was flooded”, - all completely avoidable had artificial surfaces been used.

Yes 37.7%

No 62.3%

QUESTION 7

“When the surface was bad and therefore a passing game was not possible.”

“Poor playing surfaces require a change in playing style and tactics.”

Do you think the ball behaves differently on different playing surfaces?

Nearly 90% of coaches concur that the ball behaves differently on different surfaces, with a split of opinion on whether this is a good or a bad thing. One respondent believes “the ball goes faster on an artificial pitch and technical players adapt better on artificial pitches”, while another states that “the ball behaves differently if the surface is hard or soft, wet or dry - this is good because it makes the player learn to adjust to different situations”.

Yes 89.8%

No 10.2%

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QUESTION 8 QUESTION 9

Would you like your team to play passing football, and if yes, is this easier to implement on an artificial pitch?

Over 70% of the coaching population want their teams to play passing football, and state that it is easier to implement on an artificial pitch.

• “Yes, because the surface is flatter and faster”

• “Yes, because of the quality of the surface (regular and without holes and bumps) - this is easier on synthetic turf”

• “Yes, it’s easier on synthetic turf”

• “Yes, because the surface is more equal”

Some other respondents stated this was the case “usually, but not per say, depends on the quality of a grass pitch”, and “yes, but on very good, prepared, natural pitches also” – both statements are examples of the need for natural turf to be very well maintained, looked after and to a certain standard at all times, something synthetic turf is able to achieve at a fraction of the cost.

Yes 71.3%

No 28.7%

Do you believe that a competitive match played on synthetic turf gives the truest reflection of a team or individual’s footballing ability?

This question gained a mixed response, however the overwhelming feeling was that the surface alone wasn’t enough of a barometer to gauge a team’s footballing ability:

• “There’s a lot more going on, more qualities involved than just the surface”

• “Because the influence is not the surface, it depends on how strong teams are, what kind of playing style and team organisation they use to win the game”

• “In football there’s more than passing a ball or dribbling with a ball. A player at the highest level has less than two minutes/game contact with the ball, therefore you need to look at lots of other elements”

• “I would say yes and no. Yes, when teams work more on the technical and tactical skills, the quality of the football, and less on physical side and body contact – it is more predictable what the ball is going to do. No because you have also teams that rely more on using their body and physical aspects of the game. However I think it is a question of time - the more children grow up with synthetic turf the more the thoughts will change and be more positive about synthetic turf”.

Yes 43.3%

No 56.7%

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QUESTION 10 QUESTION 11

Do you see synthetic turf as being the future of the game?

Synthetic turf clearly has a significant position in football going forward, with nearly 64% of coaches stating that they felt it formed the future of the game.

With encouraging comments throughout this study promoting the benefits of the surface, as well as a large majority saying ‘yes’ in response to this question, it is clear that the use of synthetic turf is seen as a positive thing which is only going to increase further within the elite game.

Yes 63.9%

No 36.1%

Given the choice, would you prefer to play all competitive matches on synthetic turf?

Yes 30.8%

No 69.2%

QUESTION 12

Could you see the Champions League final being played on synthetic turf in the future?

Yes 50.0%

No 50.0%

The question asks whether coaches want to play ALL games on synthetic turf, with 31% saying ‘Yes’.

This is a large percentage and when put in context of some of the rather thin arguments as to why coaches want games on natural turf (“Preference – it’s just preference, no arguable reasons”, “I grew up with natural turf”, “partially because of the nostalgia”, “just a preference, no specific reason”), you can argue that the weight of reason and science behind synthetic turf continues to grow and outweigh natural grass.

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QUESTION 13

Please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement

1. I find it easier to implement my coaching methods on an artificial pitch

2. Pitches should vary from club to club, being able to adapt is an important part of the game

3. Teams that play on artificial pitches have a big advantage for home games

4. I find it easier to get my team playing passing football on synthetic turf

5. All fixtures should be played on natural turf

6. I would rather coach on a modern artificial pitch than a poor quality natural turf pitch

Strongly Disagree

Disagree

Neutral

Agree

Strongly Agree

The majority of responses again highlight the benefits of coaching and playing on artificial pitches:

• The majority of coaches ‘agree’ that they ‘find it easier to implement my coaching methods on an artificial pitch’

• The majority of coaches ‘agree’ that they ‘find it easier to get my team playing passing football on synthetic turf’

• Nearly 74% of coaches either ‘agree’ or ‘strongly agree’ that they ‘would rather coach on a modern artificial pitch than a poor quality natural turf pitch’

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Bonar Yarns & Fabrics LTD Caldrum Works St Salvador Street Dundee DD3 7EU, United Kingdom

Tel +44 1382 346 100 Email [email protected] Web www.bonaryarns.com

Desso Sports Systems Robert Ramlotstraat 89 9200 Dendermonde Belgium

Tel +32 52 262 660 Web www.dessosports.com

DOMO Sports & Leisure Grass Industriepark West 43 9100 St- Niklaas Belgium

Tel +32 3 780 45 75 Email [email protected] Web www.domosportsgrass.com

Edel Grass B.V. Fabrieksstraat 13 8281 BW Genemuiden The Netherlands

Tel +31 38 425 00 50 Email [email protected] Web www.edelgrass.com

Fieldturf Tarkett SAS 2 Rue De L’egalite 92748 Nanterre France

Tel +33 1 41 20 40 40 Email [email protected] Web www.fieldturf.com

GreenFields BV Nylonstraat 7 8281 JX Genemuiden The Netherlands

Tel +31 38 3372010 Email [email protected] Web www.greenfields.eu

Hatko Maresal Çakmak Cad. Park Apt:57/A No:1 Iskenderun Hatay Turkey

Tel +90 312 438 0395 Email [email protected] Web www.hatkosport.com

Italgreen Via Crusnigo 11 24030 Villa d’Adda Italy

Tel +39 0 357 84 178 Email [email protected] Web www.italgreen.it

Juta Dukelska 417 544 15 Dvur Kralove nad Labem Czech Republic

Tel +420 499 314 559 Email [email protected] Web www.jutagrass.cz

Lano Sports Zuidstraat 44 8530 Harelbeke Belgium

Tel + 32 56 654 290 Email [email protected] Web www.lanosports.com

Mondo S.p.A. Piazzale Edmondo Stroppiana, 1 Alba Frazione Gallo Italy

Tel +39 0173232111 Email [email protected] Web www.mondoworldwide.com

Nurteks Carpet Cemal Yener Tosyali Cd. No:42 Vefa Untapani 34470 Istanbul Turkey

Tel +90 212 511 19 86 Email [email protected] Web www.nurteks.com.tr

PE-BA Grass Haci Sabanci OSB 5.Ocak Cd. Inonu Bulvari No.4 Yakapinar Adana Turkey

Tel +90 322 394 3432 Email [email protected] Web www.pe-ba.com

Polytan Sportstättenbau GmbH Gewerbering 3 86666 Burgheim Germany

Tel +49 8432 870 Email [email protected] Web www.polytan.de

Radici Pietro Industries & Brands Via Cav. Pietro Radici 19 24026 Cazzano S. Andrea (BG) Italy

Tel +39 035 72 42 42 Email [email protected] Web www.sit-insport.it

Saltex Oy Sahatie 1 62900 Alajärvi Finland

Tel +358 6 557 0700 Email [email protected] Web www.saltex.fi

Ten Cate Thiolon G. van der Muelenweg 2 7443 RB Nijverdal The Netherlands

Tel +31 548 633 944 Email [email protected] Web www.tencate.com/grass

Tessiture Pietro Radici S.P.A Via Ugo Foscolo 152 24024 Gandino Italy

Tel +39 035 715411 Email [email protected] Web www.radigreen.com

TigerTurf EMEA 229 Ikon, Droitwich Road DY10 4EU Hartlebury United Kingdom

Tel +44 1299 253 966 Email [email protected] Web www.tigerturfworld.com

Unieco Sport Via Meuccio Ruini 10/A 42124 Reggio Emilia Italy

Tel +39 0522 795 611 Email [email protected] Web www.uniecosport.com

ESTO Members

6, Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse B - 1160 Brussels

T: +32 2 676 74 72 F: +32 2 676 74 74

www.theESTO.com

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