Synthetic turf with integrated impact sensors

An artificial turf system, comprising:

• a backing layer having a plurality of fibers extending therefrom;
• a plurality of impact sensors located at least partially beneath said backing layer, wherein said plurality of impact sensors are operable to detect a force or pressure applied to said backing layer by one or more athletes at a discrete interval of time;
• at least one position sensor coupled with each of said one or more athletes, wherein each of said at least one position sensors is operable to determine a position of said one or more athletes at said discrete interval of time relative to one or more of said plurality of impact sensors and relative to a position of another of said one or more athletes;
• and
• a controller arranged to receive signals from said plurality of impact sensors, wherein said controller is configured to at least temporarily store a speed and said position of at least two of said one or more athletes at said discrete interval of time,
• wherein said discrete interval of time includes a direct or indirect impact of one or more athletes with said backing layer.