That is really old school advice and I wouldn't recommend it. You won't be able to push a key into a hard pitch in Summer, or an astro pitch, but they are still playable.For a frozen pitch, take a key and try to stick it in the ground.
No key in the ground = no game of football!
If it’s soft enough to allow a key to be pushed in then it’s generally soft enough to take a stud.
Find the worst bit of the pitch and give it a test!
Common sense will tell you not to try and stick anything into an artificial pitch.That is really old school advice and I wouldn't recommend it. You won't be able to push a key into a hard pitch in Summer, or an astro pitch, but they are still playable.
I had one parent dispute a postponement by me - "Its OK under that tree" he said as he pointed to said circle of ground about 50 yards away!You will get naysayers who are convinced they can play, especially those who throw out the “it’s hard in the summer” line, or claim that by running on it the ice will break up.
The biggest issues in winter are traction and ruts. Pavements are hard all year round, but more people need hospital treatment for falls in the winter because they slip. The same applies with a frozen pitch. It’s. It that it’s hard but as said above, keeping your footing is the issue.
Always worth checking competition rules. Local youth league I used to officiate on insists all games are called off in person by the match referee attending. Only exceptions are private grounds - ie clubs/schools where the owner can call off the games.
Ridiculous rule and just one of the reason I don't officiate for them any longer.
AND they only pay expenses!Yep. Also, checking the competition rules will confirm whether or not the referee is still to be paid any sort of fee for turning up and making the decision.
I'm not sure that's necessarily true. If you press a key down into the ground, all the force exerted is on a single piece of metal with a relatively small profile. With a boot, the weight is spread across 6 or more, often non-metallic points of contact. I'd say it's much more difficult for the multiple studs on a boot to penetrate a frozen surface than it is for a key.If the worst part of the pitch can take a key then it will also take a stud.