Football Field Maintenance and Management Procedures

1
Football Field Maintenance and Management
Procedures

• TRF230

2
Field Inspection

• Field should be inspected at least once a week
  more often during the growing season
• Soil test fertility levels and pH
• Look for any mowing problems dull, scalping
  etc..
• Soil moisture irrigation needs and drainage
  issues
• Check the soil for compaction problems, thatch,
  root development
• Check High traffic areas
• Weeds, diseases an insects
• Make an inspection report

3
Warm Season Grass Maintenance

• You need to determine what events are going to
  take place on the field
• What level of sport is being played on the field
  (elementary, high school, college or pros)
• Football only or football and soccer
• Game field or practice field
• You need to develop a maintenance plan that will
  work with the particular needs of your field

4
Fertilization

• Maximum fertility May through August to maximize
  growth during growing period
• Harden off warm season turf in fall with less
  amounts of Nitrogen and more Potassium
• Slow release Vs Quick release Nitrogen sources

5
Aeration and Topdressing

• Soil compaction prevalent along the side lines
  and between the hash marks
• Deep tine aerification if possible 2x in major
  compacted areas
• Aerification, topdressing, and dethatching should
  be done when the grass is actively growing
• Must be accomplished in time for the field to be
  ready for play

6
Overseeding

• When ? (fall of the year when bermuda is
  beginning to go dormant)
• WHY? (winter color and some recuperative ability
  in winter)

7
Should you overseed?

• Decision based on economics, coaches desire play
  scheduling
• Play the continues past fall and into the early
  spring then you should overseed
• Do not if plays ends in early November and will
  not resume until late spring

8
Mowing

• ¾ to 1 ½ inches in height but can be lower
• Raise mowing height in fall to promote winter
  hardiness
• Follow the 1/3 rule
• Do not neglect field during the off season

9
Irrigation

• Deep and infrequent
• 1 to 1 ½ inches of water per growing week

10
Weed Control

• Depends on whether the grass is overseeded
• Pre-emergent herbicides
• Post-emergent herbicides

11
Cool Season Grasses

• Depends on where you are growing them
• In the transition zone majority of growth will be
  in the spring and fall
• Fertility should be applied more so in the fall
  and winter and not a much in the spring
• Aerification should occur when turf is actively
  growing

12
Other Considerations Controlled Field Use

• Preventing or minimizing play or practice when
  field is wet
• Rotating areas of play and practice to allow
  turfgrass recovery
• Avoiding concentrated foot traffic, such as band
  or cheerleader practice
• Allowing newly planted fields to mature before
  practice or play begins
• Have separate play and practice facilities
• Allowing turfgrass recovery from winter dormancy
  before using it