Soccer and Weather: How Players and Teams Cope with Extreme Conditions
More than player performance or chosen tactics, the weather can influence the course of a soccer match. In truly exceptional situations, rescheduling is possible, but it's always better to be well-prepared and handle even challenging conditions. An example can be taken from the English, for whom playing soccer in the rain is a routine matter, whereas in our country or Germany, it's more often necessary to deal with snow. Additionally, almost everywhere in the world, players also face extreme heat. How can one adapt to these weather fluctuations?
In any weather?
It is said that you can play in any weather, so training takes place in all conditions. Today, moreover, modern technology helps in the form of a heated lawn or drainage system. However, there are exceptions, and if the field is not suitable, the game is postponed. to protect the players' health. This usually happens during thunderstorms and heavy rain, or when a large amount of snow falls, or if there is dense fog. Nevertheless, we recommend not relying on such a solution and instead assuming that the game will proceed.
The weather that affects the course of the game the most
Football is full of surprises and twists, and weather fluctuations can contribute to that.The hardest to play in extreme conditions, that is in rain and wet conditions, in strong winds, in frost and snow, or in very high temperatures. But even for these four extreme situations, you can train for them, and it really helps to jerseys from innovative materials or appropriately chosen cleats.
Strong wind
A strong wind can be very unpleasant, oftenthwarts attempts at passes or even scoring chances because it changes the trajectory of the balls. Players must consider the wind direction and try to adjust their shots accordingly. More foresight is needed , find the right angle, and generally be more cautious. So it's best to play as low as possible or directly on the ground, where the wind isn't as strong. Conversely, avoid high shots to minimize the risk of losing the ball.
Flash and prolonged rains
A big scare is rain , which nand unlike a thunderstorm, it is not usually a reason to postpone a match. A wet and slippery field, however, causes a number of problems and can endanger the health of players. Therefore, to prevent dangerous situations or even injuries, it's necessary to slow down the pace of the game. At the same time, friction increases, and thus the ball's resistance. Additionally, your movement is slowed by wetness and mud, so you should practice to see how much extra time you'll need.
Severe frost and heavy snowfall
While playing soccer in the snow is mainly problematic due to visibilityand covering the surface at the playground, very low temperatures can negatively affect players' performance.They distract them and slow their reactions more than expected. This reduces their concentration and increases missed opportunities. At least partially, the problem can be solved by quality functionalclothingand, of course, also bythe player's effort to motivate and energize..
Extreme heat
Due to climate change, temperatures well above 30°C are common in Europe during the summer. If it's also humid or the sun is shining intensely on the field,it can lead to dehydrationand overheating of the body. From 32°C onwards,FIFA recommends hydration breaksat 30 and 75 minutes, allowing players to replenish fluids. And quality breathable jerseys made from lightweight functional materials that wick sweat away from the body will certainly come in handy. However, once the temperature risesabove 36°C, it's ideal to postpone the matchotherwise, there's a risk of heatstroke and other health issues.
