Take a look at different soccer fields around the world, and chances are they will look a little bit different with their patterns. As simple as stripes on a soccer field might be, it ends up being a defining feature many fans and players identify the location with.
Every pitch has the same lines to call the game, but the grass pattern can be a little bit different. Getting a perfect-looking field can seem like a major task, but is there a need to stripe them in the first place?
Why Are Soccer Fields Striped? In most cases, soccer fields are striped to look professionally done and aesthetically pleasing. There are some minor benefits to striping a soccer field compared to just maintaining it in a basic way, but it’s become a standard feature for so many different teams to have their signature look.
How Do Soccer Fields Get The Stripes?
It can be difficult to tell how soccer fields get stripes when far away. The closer someone gets, the easier it is to see that it is a mowing trick.
When some grass is cut in a particular way and pressed down, it can make the shade look a little bit different. This same type of look is easy to mimic at home with a lawn if a person wants to.
Understand that there is no use of paint or other types of coloring to make this work. It’s not going to give a huge amount of variation, but the way the grass is cut does make a difference. As it starts to grow out, the appearance fades. That’s why consistent mowing is necessary for maintenance.
In most cases, the designs are fairly basic. That means no additional time is necessary, other than making sure that the lines are straight and as close to perfect as possible. The more grass is bent, the more intense the stripes become.
Basic stripes are common, as well as checkerboard and crisscross stripe patterns in soccer. More intricate options include a zigzag look, or a design that incorporates a logo or name. A lot of teams find this to be too distracting to put into a soccer field, but it pops up a little more regularly in baseball as an example.
What Are The Benefits Of Striped Fields?
There might not be a ton of major benefits when it comes to putting stripes on the grass, but teams do have the reasons.
These are a few of the main reasons why teams aren’t going to start striping their field anytime soon.
Easier Viewing Experience
In-person or on television, soccer fields can be hard to follow all the action at once. They are so large that stripes can act as a way to divide everything up and make it a better viewing experience overall.
It helps to cut the field into smaller areas, and this can be very beneficial for those trying to follow the ball and everything going on around it.
Finally, a freshly striped field also means a freshly cut field. If the field is well-maintained and cut regularly, this is a huge benefit overall for viewers. They can see everything that’s going on, and players are moving around quickly and efficiently.
They aren’t slowed down by long grass, and they have true bounces when the ball moves across the playing surface.
Helps With Offsides
Referees at high levels don’t need any help when it comes to making offsides calls. However, it can help to have the grass cut a certain way for those following along with the game. Offside calls become a lot more apparent, and they aren’t the only ones paying attention to that.
Players on the pitch will take a look at the different shades of grass and time up their runs accordingly. It might seem like a challenge, but it’s actually much better than having to look towards the side all the time. Soccer is so much about timing, so having any bit of additional help matters.
Better Positioning
There are no yard markers on a soccer field like an American football field. That’s why stripes can actually provide an advantage to players if they are trying to position themselves the right way.
Training different routes or looking for the best spacing? If the stripes on the field are all the same width, it makes it much easier to measure and figure out.
What other Designs Can Go Into Fields?
Soccer fields tend to stick to straight lines when cutting the grass. However, a checkered pattern can sometimes add to a different type of look. This essentially makes a bunch of small squares on the soccer field, but the look is virtually the same.
Less popular options include putting circles or even words into the grass. This is done more in other sports, such as baseball, but can make a location feel unique. This is sometimes done as a tribute to a person, or as a way to signify a special match.
Are There Any Rules For Designs on Soccer Fields?
Every soccer league is different, but most of them are pretty open to any type of design on the field. The only stipulation is that the color of the grass stays some shade of green.
They don’t want fields to have numerous different colors. There are always exceptions to the rule, but since soccer pitches almost always use natural turf, it’s hard to grow anything other than green grass.
Before any soccer team tries anything different with their setup, they should talk to the league they’re in. They might have certain stipulations about changing the field. If it’s not deemed playable, there’s a chance that the game is forfeited or moved at the last minute.
Why Stripes on a Soccer Field Are Here To Stay
It might not seem like the biggest deal in the world, but stripes on the soccer field can provide a certain aesthetic that every team is looking for.
Teams can instantly become recognized by what they have designed in their grass, whether it be on television or in person. It also showcases that the grass has been freshly cut and is ready to provide a perfect pitch for the players.
Since most of the designs take no additional time, it’s worth giving them a try and seeing what works best. In some cases, teams become identified by what they provide for their fans and players to enjoy.
