The 2015 U.S Women’s National Soccer team made waves when they called out FIFA for making them play on artificial turf in the World Cup and most of the Victory Tour, while 100 percent of the U.S Men’s National Soccer Team World Cup games were played on natural grass. A group of international women’s players even decided to take legal action against the Canadian Soccer Association and FIFA, calling them out for gender discrimination. They ended up losing the battle due to filing the suit too late, but brought much attention to the plight of playing on artificial turf.
Cabrini installed new turf at the beginning of the fall 2015 semester. Sprinturf’s Ultrablade DFE is the surface at Edith Robb Dixon Field. It is where the field hockey, lacrosse and soccer teams play their home games. Players believe that there are both pros and cons to playing on turf.
“Playing lacrosse on turf has many advantages. Since the ground is more consistent and smooth it makes it easier to run and pick up ground balls. You also have more a true bounce making it easier to play the ball. The conditions are also better. In games where it is raining it is easier to play on turf because the draining system keeps the field drier,” junior lacrosse player Jenn Robinson said.
Sophomore field hockey player Emily Town likes how the surface is much more even than most grass fields.
“For field hockey, playing on the turf the ball rolls smoother and faster. There’s less of a chance of the ball taking a bad bounce. The ball moves much faster than you so it becomes more of a passing game. On turf the ball can make it from end-line to end-line, something that isn’t done on grass. For me running on turf is better because I have bad ankles that are prone to sprains. On turf I don’t have to worry about stepping in a hole and rolling my ankle, “ Town said.
Robinson also enjoys how turf makes the game smooth.
“On turf the ball may move faster when on the ground but overall I think controlling the ball is easier because you are not looking for it like you would be if you were playing on grass. The smooth surface I thinks makes it easier to run and overall run faster,” Robinson said.
One of the problems that Town has witnessed with turf though is the types of injuries it causes.
“I’ve seen at least four ACL tears on a turf field. I’ve never seen one on grass. That doesn’t mean they don’t happen, but your feet plant differently into the synthetic surface than they do in grass. Also the hard surface under the turf makes falls tough. I’ve seen someone break their tailbone from a fall and a couple of concussions. Also dry turf is unforgiving, if you fall on it with bare skin it’s like razor blades. I have a couple of scars from turf burn,” Town said.
Junior soccer player Mohammed Konneh witnessed many of these injuries as well.
“You get a lot of injuries from playing on turf. Peoplels studs would get stuck in the turf and it would cause muscle damage and ACL tears. Even though it’s faster and probably the best surface to play on it can be real dangerous,” Konneh said.
As far as which surface he prefers, Konneh enjoys playing on good grass.
“I grew up playing on grass. I’ve had a lot of great moments playing on turf because it’s easier to play on. My best goal ever scored was on turf. I play at the highest levels on grass and that’s where I’ve had the most fun though. Especially when it’s clean cut with no patches, no dents. My favorite is grass. It’s natural and when you run on grass your feet sink into the ground making it harder for weird muscle movements and tweak injuries to occur. You usually have to get fouled to get hurt playing on grass,” Konneh said.
Turf is proven to be hotter than grass, by around 10 degrees at least. The players credit their conditioning and staying hydrated as keys to playing on it.
“Turf is hotter, but our preseason is end of August so when you’re being run into the ground practicing under the sun it’s going to be hot anywhere you are. You get used to it and make sure you stay hydrated,” Town said.
“Because of the higher temperature it does make playing more tiring. When playing turf you have to make sure that you are more hydrated so you have a higher stamina. Overall, your conditioning routine must be more intense before and during the season if you want to be successful playing a sport on turf,” Robinson said.
