Why Do They Put Rubber Pellets on Football Fields?

You’ve probably noticed little black pellets scattered across the field if you've ever played or watched a football game. These are called rubber pellets, most commonly used on artificial grass football pitches & rubber football pellets. But why are they there? What do they do? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Are Rubber Pellets?

They are small, black, and pebblely in colour and look like recycled tires. They fill the artificial grass crevices of the fake blades of grass. For this reason, they can also be called "crumb rubber" due to their crumbly texture, given their small size. A rubber-crumb football pitch is best for football players. 

Why do rubber pellets matter?

Let's now discuss why rubber pellets are so important on football fields:

1. Making Falls Softer

The other main reason for using rubber pellets is to make the artificial grass safer. It cushions the falling players when they fall and does not hurt them much. Also, you can use Football Indoor; this would otherwise mean harder ground, leading to more injuries in case no such pellets were available.

2. Grip and Traction

The players require an excellent grip on the field, which allows them to make rapid movements. Artificial grass has holes between the blades, which football rubber pellets fill. This prevents grass blades from lying down and lets the players easily run, stop, and change direction without slipping.

3. Maintenance of the Turf

The rubber pellets also ensure the artificial grass remains looking good and working well. They keep the blades of grass upright so that the field does not flatten and wear out rubber football boots. Without the rubber pellets, the turf could easily become messy and lose its shape quickly.

4. Ball Movement

The rubber will help the ball move smoothly on the field. They make the ball bounce and roll perfectly when it would do on the natural grass. This is one of the factors because when a player has to pass or shoot, he will require the ball to behave predictably.

5. Longer-Lasting Field

Artifice turf will wear off, but the rubber pellets protect the turf. The rubbing and friction due to the playing feet are lessened on the turf so that the field has more duration before its repair or replacement.

Is there any concern we should remember before using it? 

Although there are a lot of benefits from football rubber pellets, there is still a problem concerning them. First, it was a little of an environmental concern because these rubber pellets came from recycled tires and, therefore, contain chemicals. Some are also concerned that it would cause very serious health problems for the players if exposed to it long enough. To date, there is no strong evidence that justifies this claim, although researchers have continued their investigation of this matter.

These are problems that are facing some football fields in research about alternative materials to rubber football. Such alternatives are coconut husks and cork, which are environmentally friendlier and perhaps safer.

Conclusion