A soccer pitch should play similarly to well-maintained natural grass. This includes consistent ball roll behavior: the ball should roll across the pitch neither too quickly nor be slowed down too abruptly.
How It Is Measured
During testing, a ball rolls from a standardized ramp onto the surface. The distance it travels until it comes to a stop is measured. The permissible ranges are defined in test specifications, such as DIN 18035-7 or the FIFA Quality program.
Factors Influencing Ball Roll Behavior
- Pile height and density of the artificial turf
- Amount and distribution of the infill
- Contamination and compaction of the surface
Regular maintenance keeps these values stable – see artificial turf cleaning.
