Module 5:

5.3 Providing insight into activities

5.3.13 Pitch (pre-match) safety check

What is used?

Recording material (e.g. clipboard, notepad, tablet), pre-match pitch assessment sheet.

Which one of the following statements is the most appropriate?

Some reasons for pre-match checks

1. To ensure the pitch is safe for play to take place and that the surface is in a condition that will not cause disproportionate and excessive wear if play does take place. (Primarily this will be due to a surface being wet and soft (not necessarily waterlogged) or where the surface has thawed but the upper rootzone is still frozen. Playing on a surface in the latter conditions can shear the roots at the junction of the frozen and thawing/thawed soil.)
2. To ensure the pitch is in accordance with the desired overall quality, e.g. ensuring no litter or debris is present.
3. To help determine and confirm the effectiveness of maintenance activities in the production of the football pitch surface. This might also be part of a contractual requirement.
4. To ensure the pitch complies with the relevant laws of the game.