Sand slitting or sand banding are both secondary drainage methods. 

Sand slitting is achieved with the use of specialist trenchers which insert slits or trenches into the soil.  They can be 50 - 75 mm wide and from 200 to 300 mm deep and will be back filled with gravel and then sand or rootzone.

Sand banding is a similar process carried out with a specialist disc trencher which excavates trenches and removes the soil from the pitch.  The trenches are usually 50 mm wide and up to 400 mm deep.  The trenches can be inserted at varying widths, dependent on the type of soil and the nature and use of the pitch.  The trenches are topped up with gravel and then sand in most cases and the materials are compressed to prevent surface settlement.

The result of this is to enable rapid dispersal of surface water down into the existing drainage network with minimal cost and as little disturbance to the soil as possible.  The playing field can be used almost immediately the procedure is completed.