Football and weather: How players and teams cope with extreme conditions

More than the performance of the players or the chosen tactics, the course of a football match can be influenced by the weather. In a truly exceptional situation, the date can be postponed, but it is always better to be well prepared and cope with challenging conditions. An example can be taken from the English, for whom football in the rain is a routine matter, while in our country or in Germany it is more often necessary to cope with snow. And almost everywhere in the world, players are struggling with extreme heat. How to adapt to these weather fluctuations?

In all weather?

It is said that playing is possible in any weather, which is why training is done in any conditions. Today, modern technologies such as heated lawns or drainage systems help with this. However, there are exceptions and if the field is not suitable, the match is postponed to protect the health of the players. This most often happens during a storm and heavy rain or when there is a lot of snow or thick fog. However, we recommend not to rely on such a solution and rather to count on the fact that the game will take place.

Weather, which affects the course of the game the most

Football is full of surprises and twists and turns, and weather fluctuations can also contribute to this. The worst conditions to play are extreme ones, such as rain and wet weather, strong winds, frost and snow, or very high temperatures . However, even these four extreme situations can be trained, and jerseys made of innovative materials or appropriately selected football boots can help a lot.

Strong wind

Strong winds can be very unpleasant, often thwarting attempts at passing or even scoring chances , because they change the trajectory of the balls. Players must therefore take the wind direction into account and try to adapt their shots to it. You need to be more predictable , look for the right angle and generally be more careful. It is therefore best to play as low as possible or directly on the ground, where the wind is not as strong. On the other hand, it is better to avoid high shots to minimize the risk of losing the ball.

Torrential and prolonged rains

The big scare is rain , which unlike a thunderstorm is not usually a reason to postpone a match. However, wet and slippery grass causes a number of problems and can endanger the health of players. Therefore, in order to avoid dangerous situations or even injuries, it is necessary to slow down the pace of the game . At the same time, friction increases, and therefore the resistance of the ball. At the same time, wet and muddy conditions slow down your movement, so you should try out how much extra time you will need during training.

Severe frost and heavy snowfall

While football in the snow is problematic mainly due to visibility and the surface being covered in snow, very low temperatures can negatively affect the performance of players. They distract them and slow down their reactions more than one might expect. This reduces their concentration and, on the contrary, increases the number of missed opportunities. However, the problem can be solved at least partially by high-quality functional clothing and, of course, by trying to motivate and move the players .

Extreme heat

Due to climate change, temperatures well above 30 ° C are common in Europe during the summer. If it is also humid or the pitch is exposed to strong sunlight, dehydration and overheating of the body can occur . From 32 ° C, FIFA recommends refreshment breaks after 30 and 75 minutes, when players can replenish fluids. And of course, high-quality breathable jerseys made of light functional materials that wick sweat away from the body will also come in handy. However, as soon as the temperature rises above 36 ° C, it is ideal to postpone the match , otherwise there is a risk of heatstroke and other health problems.