Soccer is a sport that is played throughout the calendar year. Even when temperatures plummet in northern Europe, soccer players still take to the field and enjoy the beautiful game.
But is playing soccer in cold weather a good idea? What do you need to think about when temperatures are so low? Let’s take a look.
Should you play soccer in cold weather?
Playing soccer in cold weather is perfectly fine, providing you take a few precautions. You will have to check that the field is safe and not frozen before starting training or a match and wrap up warm in the right clothing. Otherwise, playing soccer in cold weather isn’t any different from playing soccer normally, although you will have to do some extra running to keep warm throughout the match!
Is soccer harder when the weather is cold?
Typically, playing soccer when temperatures are low isn’t any more difficult than playing soccer in mild conditions. The only time that soccer gets a little tougher in the cold is when other elements of the weather come into play.
For instance, playing soccer in the snow or the howling wind can be particularly difficult and may even force you to change the way that you play the match.
You will also need to make sure that the pitch you’re about to play on is safe. If the ground is frozen solid, be it grass or a synthetic surface, it’s not safe to play soccer. Otherwise, just make sure you wrap up warm and protect yourself from the elements!
Can you wear gloves in soccer?
You’re perfectly entitled to wear gloves in soccer when the weather is cold. While the goalkeeper is the only player on the pitch who wears gloves in every match, sometimes outfield players wear gloves to keep their fingers warm during the match.
It’s best to opt for some light cotton gloves to play in that you can tuck under your sleeves. This way, you can keep your hands warm without much issue.
You should also note that in competitive games, some referees require your gloves to be the same color as your shirt, as there are some rules surrounding the color of garments and accessories.
In amateur soccer, the referee probably won’t care if you wear pink or purple gloves, but in pro soccer, players have to be careful about the color of gloves they wear during a match.
Should you play if the pitch is frozen?
If you’re hoping to play soccer in cold weather, you need to make sure that the pitch is safe before the match. You can do this by checking the surface and determining whether or not it’s frozen.
If the pitch has frosted over, it will become slippy, and it won’t take a stud, which means it’s dangerous for players and officials alike.
In a competitive match, it’s the referee’s job to decide if a pitch is safe to play on, but if you’re playing casually with friends, you will need to make the decision yourself.
Injuries occur much more regularly when the surface is frozen or too hard, so don’t be tempted just to play if the pitch isn’t up to standard as it’s not safe to do so.
Do pro soccer players take a winter break?
In some leagues in the world, players are given a break for the winter. This is particularly the case in parts of northern and eastern Europe, where temperatures drop to sub-zero levels and pitches freeze over.
Leagues in Scotland, Spain, Italy, and France all have winter breaks, while many leagues in northern Europe, such as Norway, structure their entire season around the weather, so their teams don’t have to play too many games during the harshest winter months.
After all, playing soccer at -10C isn’t much fun for the players, and it’s certainly not ideal for the fans who come and watch the matches!
In February 2022, the USMNT beat Honduras 3-0 in Minnesota, and the Mirror reports that temperatures plummeted to as low as -17C. Temperatures were so cold that two Honduras players were withdrawn as they were suffering from hypothermia. US goalkeeper Matt Turner was even allowed to wear extra layers to keep warm. Crazy!
Five tips for playing soccer in cold weather
So, playing soccer in cold weather is part and parcel of the game. To help you prepare for soccer in a cold snap, here are five top tips.
Check the pitch in advance
As mentioned, playing soccer in cold weather isn’t a problem, but you need to make sure the pitch is safe. If it has frozen over, you shouldn’t play, as the risk of injury is heightened.
If you’re playing a competitive match, it’s the referee’s responsibility to call a game off if the pitch is unsafe or unplayable.
But if you’re playing a friendly match amongst friends, it’s up to you whether or not you play. Our advice would be to check the pitch beforehand and postpone your game if it has frozen over.
Warm-up properly
One of the most important aspects of any soccer match is the pre-game warm-up, but it’s even more essential when the temperatures are low.
You will need to spend sufficient time before the match warming up and stretching out, as you are even more susceptible to injury when the weather is so cold.
No matter your pre-game warm-up routine, make sure you dedicate sufficient time to some simple cardio and stretching, as this will ensure you don’t pick up an injury during the match.
Wear suitable clothing
The standard soccer attire is short-sleeved shirts, shorts, and socks. Needless to say, this isn’t nearly enough to keep you protected from sub-zero temperatures!
While your exercise during the game will keep you warm to a certain extent, make sure you have sufficient layers on – an undershirt and undershorts are a must.
You should also consider wearing gloves, as mentioned before, and if you’re on the bench as a substitute, be sure to wrap up in a full tracksuit to protect yourself from the elements.
Keep hydrated
When you’re playing soccer in the cold, you might not feel as much need to take water on board. But in reality, it’s just as important as ever to keep your body hydrated, even when you’re freezing cold!
You should take the same amount of fluids on as you normally would during a soccer game, and the same is true for the immediate aftermath of the match.
When you get back home, you can warm up with a delicious cup of tea and get some heat back into your joints!
Stay warm on the bench
Unfortunately, the people who have it toughest when the weather is cold are the substitutes. When you’re sitting on the bench, it’s hard to keep yourself warm.
As such, make sure you’re wearing long sleeves, a hat, and gloves, and venture down the touchline once in a while to keep yourself warm.
You will almost certainly catch a cold if you sit idle on the bench for the entire game, so do everything you can to keep the blood pumping as you’re waiting for your chance to take to the field.
Recap: Playing soccer in cold weather
Although playing soccer in cold weather might not be the most enjoyable experience in the world, doing so is part and parcel of the beautiful game.
By following the simple tips that we’ve introduced above, you will be able to wrap up warm and protect yourself against the elements while you’re enjoying a game of soccer in cold weather.