TALKING POINT Paul Knowles, Head Groundsman, Northampton Town FC
I think most groundsmen would agree that warm-ups and warm-downs are one of the more significant challenges we face throughout the season. Guidelines were brought in over ten years ago now, so maybe it’s worth a revisit/refresher. I believe, certainly this season and maybe last, things are slipping and etiquette has started to slide.
We all understand players need to warm-up/down. We accept that. But it’s a two-way street and there needs to be acceptance about pitch conditions from coaches too. Small keep ball squares are in vogue at the moment. But set two or three squares up and hop from one to the other, not stay in one. Carry them out in a corner, too, where there is less wear from the game. Same with shuttles.
I’ve said for years pitch etiquette/management should form an element within the coaching badge. It is in their interest to look after the surface. You can’t control damage from a game as its completely random, but warm-ups and downs can be managed more effectively. Within the guidelines, something should be added to have a discussion with a
groundsman at 1:45pm. Make it formal. Not hang around tunnels pre-match waiting for a coach or avoiding them altogether. The whole process needs tightening up in my opinion.
In the interests of fairness, a lot of clubs are respectful, but we need to turn that into all clubs. Things have improved over the last ten years, but we should always strive for better.
Pitch Protection Rules (as stated by EFL)
28.1 In order to protect the pitch, unless otherwise mutually agreed following procedures shall be adopted
(1.a) the pitch shall only be used for warming up or warming down by Players named on the Team Sheet
(1.b) pre-match warming up by either the earliest, shall not last for more than 30 minutes, and shall end no later than 10 minutes before the
(1.c) if portable goals are provided, they shall be used for all goalkeeping
(1.d) the goalmouth area shall be used by goalkeepers only if portable goals are not provided or for crossing than 20 minutes
(1.e) for the purposes of warming up and warming down each team shall use only part of the pitch between the edge of a penalty area and the half way line or as otherwise directed by the groundsman
Peter Ashworth, Head Groundsman, Preston North End FC
With regards to warm-ups, I feel there have been improvements over the years, but also know a lot more can be done. I have approached this in numerous ways over the years, and I’m currently on the “go with the flow option”. Which translates to; I will sort out the mess afterwards.
I do find a lot of the clubs will now ask or generally try to do any of the rough work off the pitch or out on the wings. I also must admit that now having a few small lighting rigs (still not enough) has made me chill out a bit more as I know I can help aid recovery in the high wear areas. I also fully understand that clubs without such luxuries, and maybe no reinforcement in their pitch (fibre/Desso etc.), will find it much tougher after a heavy session in the wrong conditions.
An option I have put forward in the past was to have contact with the visiting team’s fitness coach/coaches in the days building up to the game. A quick email off them detailing what they intend to do could help a groundsman prepare when letting them know where to carry out the various parts of the warm-up. The groundsman could either email back a quick diagram of the
pitch detailing where they would like each skill to be carried out, or at least be prepared for when they arrive on the day of a game.
I feel most clubs generally do the same every game, so their warm-ups
could even be sent out to all clubs in their league at the start of the season. If they change it at any point, they would have to let the clubs know. I feel doing something along these lines, helping to open the lines of communication, will help stop any match-day confrontations and unwanted stress that groundstaff and coaching staff can often face. I feel this could be a straightforward task once everyone gets used to it, without taking up too much of anyone’s time.
After all, we are all - or should be - trying to help each other to produce as good a surface as possible, so that the players can perform to the best of their ability.
(1.f) all speed and stamina work shall the touchline opposite the side to be patrolled by the assistant referee or, that part of the pitch described in paragraph for the purposes of warming up and warming down each team shall use only part of the pitch between the edge of a penalty area and the halfway line or as otherwise directed by the groundsman; above or as otherwise directed by the groundsman
(1.g) Players using the pitch at half or entertainment taking place on the
do so and that any such watering is length and width of the pitch
that purpose neither penalty area shall be used
PC February/March 2019
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