There are three main types of artificial hockey surface:
1. Unfilled or water-based – artificial fibres that are densely packed for stabilisation, requires irrigation or watering to avoid pitch wear
2. Dressed or sand-dressed – artificial fibres can be less densely packed and sand supports the fibres for part of the pile depth
3. Filled or sand-filled – artificial fibres can be longer and less densely packed and sand supports the fibres for 100% of the pile depth
The purpose of water is:
On water-based pitches, shorter fibres and wetted turf reduce friction and increase the speed at which the game can be played.
