Last Updated on August 12, 2022 by UDC Sports
Building an NFL football field is no easy task. You not only have to comply with a bevy of regulations, but you also need to make sure that the field can stand up to the rigors of regular use.
NFL Certification Standards For Fields
The National Football League has very strict standards for the playing fields used in its games. In order to make sure that the fields meet these standards, the league employs a number of testing methods.
These tests check for things like the hardness of the turf and the level of slope on the field. If a field fails to meet the NFL’s standards on any of the tests, the club must fix the problem and retest before game day.
To make sure test results are accurate, the league may send a third-party company to do spot checks on a day’s notice. T
his rigorous testing ensures that every field used in an NFL game is up to par, providing a safe and fair playing surface for all involved.
Hardness Testing
Football is a sport that puts a lot of wear and tear on a playing field. In order to ensure that the field is safe for players, certified experts test the hardness of the synthetic turf and natural grass within 72 hours before a game.
The Clegg Impact Tester drops a weight at several designated points on the field to measure its hardness. This helps to ensure that players will not be injured on the playing field. If any spots are too hard, they must be fixed and retested. The field must pass the test before gameday.
Visual Inspection
The National Football League requires a visual inspection of all fields to check for defects or foreign objects. Field managers often drag the field with a magnet to look for items such as loose screws, bolts or nuts left behind by an event, spikes that may have fallen out of player cleats, or other debris.
Artificial Turf Considerations
Before every game, the league requires that the synthetic field be certified for infill. The infill must be tested between the event and the next NFL game if a concert or other event is held on the field. This certification process allows for an evaluation of the field and leaves time for any needed repairs.
The 72-hour window before a game provides enough time for this testing to be completed. By ensuring that the infill is in good condition, the league can help to prevent players from sustaining injuries.
In order to ensure the safety of its athletes, the league goes to great lengths to test the infill of its synthetic fields. Infill depth is measured at 40 designated areas around the field, and steps are taken to correct any areas that are too soft or too hard.
The infill must also be evenly distributed in order to create a level playing surface. In cases where the infill is uneven, crews add, remove, or smooth it until it meets the NFL’s standards. By taking these measures, the league can be confident that its fields are safe and playable for all of its teams.
Natural Grass Considerations
There are several tests that natural surfaces are put through in order to ensure that they are up to standard. The first is a moisture content test, which ensures that the field is not too wet or too dry. The second is a hardness test, which measures how well the surface can withstand impact.
Within 48 hours after a game, the field is subject to a stability test. This measures how well the surface held up during the game and whether any repairs need to be made. By ensuring that natural surfaces pass these tests, we can be sure that they are safe and fit for purpose.
The National Football League requires that all clubs with natural grass fields submit a resodding plan to the league. Resodding is the process of replacing the grass on a field that has been damaged or worn down. Nearly all fields require re-sodding at least once during the season. This ensures that the quality of the playing surface is not compromised and that the games can be played as scheduled.
Other Considerations
The National Football League issues recommendations to all of its venues regarding the care and maintenance of playing surfaces. In order to ensure the safety of players and the integrity of the game, the league recommends that venues take into account the dates of scheduled games when planning other events.
This allows enough time for repairs, irrigation, or replacement of a playing surface before the next game. By following these guidelines, venues can provide a safe and level playing field for all teams.
Maintaining a football field is no easy task. In order to ensure the safety of players, the NFL has strict guidelines in place for how fields must be covered and treated in the event of bad weather.
Clubs are required to have enough snow removal equipment on hand, and they must use only safety-tested chemicals for treating ice. If snow falls and makes the field markings “indistinguishable from the body of the playing field,” clubs must have enough bright-colored paint to make them visible again. These requirements help to ensure that players can safely compete in all conditions.
In order to protect players from serious injury, the NFL has put in place a number of rules regarding the padding of field walls and other vertical surfaces. Any wall or surface that is less than 30 feet from the edge of the playing field and at least seven feet tall must be padded.
This rule applies to all types of surfaces, including railings, access panels, and staircases.
The NFL has a number of strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety of its players. These include tests for field infill, natural grass surfaces, and other considerations. By following these guidelines and many others, the league can provide a safe, level playing field for all teams.
