The grass on a football field has two colors, which is a question many people ask when they first learn about this sport. Even those who have played this sport for many years may not notice the special characteristic and the reason why the grass on a football field has two colors.
What type of grass is used on football fields?
The grass on a football field is a type of natural or artificial grass that is laid out on the field to facilitate the movement and activity of players. Additionally, this layer of grass helps prevent injuries to players from collisions and direct contact with the ground.
When designing a grass field for playing football, it is common to divide it into two different colors. Let’s explore the reasons behind this color division in the grass through the content of the article below.
The grass on the field typically consists of patches of dark and light green.
Reasons why football field grass always has two colors
On the grass field, we often see patches of dark green and light green. These are two quite common colors on football fields today. Many people mistakenly believe that the grass on this field is planted with two different types.
In reality, the grass on the field is usually grown from a single variety. The distinguishing colors are a result of light effects and mowing techniques. When maintaining the grass on a football field, it is often cut in two opposite directions. This method allows the grass to grow in two opposing orientations. Combined with the lighting from both sides of the field, this creates the effect of the grass having two shades of green.
In some special grass fields around the world, the grass is even cut in a checkered or spiral pattern. However, straight-cut grass patterns are still preferred. Straight-cut grass creates a visual guide for players to easily estimate the distance from the ball to the opponent’s goal, allowing for more effective ball handling.
Additionally, the cross-cut grass pattern helps referees easily manage special situations such as:
- For on-field referees, clear grass lines help them identify offside situations more easily with the naked eye and camera, ensuring fairness in matches.
- For broadcasting, the evenly divided grass lines according to the standard dimensions of an 11-a-side football field assist commentators in accurately estimating distances and assessing situations on the field to relay accurate information to viewers.
However, maintaining and mowing the grass to create these two colors incurs significant costs. Moreover, excessive practice and matches on natural grass can lead to the loss of color and clear markings. This is why many field owners opt for artificial turf as a replacement.
