Here are just a few points for you to consider when carrying out a pitch inspection:
1. Have a look at the weather forecast beforehand
2. The majority of council pitches have a general update telephone line informing people that
the pitch is playable or not. Make sure you know the number.
3. Contact the home club beforehand and seek advice regarding the state of the pitch
4. On match day, turn up in plenty of time to do a thorough pitch inspection
5. With boots and track suit on, inspect the playing area making sure you look at the whole of
the field of play but particularly the penalty areas, the centre of the field of play as well as
the touchlines.
6. If the pitch slopes in a certain direction is there an area where water collects?
7. Have a ball with you and run the ball on the surface. If there is a lot of water and the ball
stops in puddles then you might have a problem.
8. If it is frosty, does the ball bounce too high? Is there a case of the surface just being too
hard?
9. Again thinking about frost, are there ruts or divots that will cause a problem for players’
control and cause potential danger?
10. Stand in each goal, what does it look like from your position? Can you physically see lots of
surface water or are their just patches of water?
11. Is there more rain forecasted and if so how heavy is it going to be?
12. In the case of frost, is the temperature due to rise? If not is there any chance of the pitch
thawing out?
13. In the case of frost, are parts of the ground sheltered and covered from sunlight leaving
sections of the pitch hard and unplayable?
14. Once you have made your decision it’s important to communicate it with the home and the
away team.
15. At some point it is important to also tell the competition, league or County depending on the
game you are refereeing
