Playing Soccer in the Snow? (Is It Possible?!)

Soccer is a sport that is played all year round, meaning you can play in the sun, rain, or even snow. 

 

But what’s the deal with playing soccer in the snow? Is it safe? How do you go about it? Let’s find out now. 

 

Can you play soccer in the snow?

Playing soccer in the snow is perfectly fine. Although the conditions make the game a little tougher, providing the pitch has been cleared sufficiently, you should be able to have a great game in the snow. To help you prepare for your upcoming winter game, we explain everything you need to know about playing soccer in the snow and provide you with some top tips below.

 

Is playing soccer in the snow dangerous?

In some respects, playing soccer in the snow can be more dangerous than playing the game in other weather conditions. The reason for this is that any ice that forms on the pitch (particularly if you play on a synthetic surface) can increase the likelihood of injury. 

 

Also, when there is a particularly heavy snowstorm, it’s likely that your visibility will be somewhat impaired, which makes collisions and mistimed tackles more of an issue. 

 

However, with the right precautions and equipment, you can play soccer in the snow with no issues at all. After all, many leagues in different parts of Europe and further afield – Russia being a great example – take place regularly during and after heavy snowfall. 

 

Therefore, there’s no reason at all to cancel your upcoming soccer match just because of snowfall. 

 

Do pro matches get canceled if there’s snow?

In the professional game, matches usually take place in the snow because the soccer grounds have such excellent under-soil heating equipment that means the snow melts quickly. As such, you will often tune into a soccer match on the TV and notice that the snow isn’t actually settling on the pitch. 

 

One thing to note is that pro soccer matches are sometimes canceled when the conditions outside the ground are dangerous. This is because the teams don’t want to endanger the safety of their supporters who are making their way to the ground. 

 

The decision about whether to cancel the game is usually taken by the referee after he or she has consulted the groundsman and the police, particularly if the authorities have safety concerns about supporters. 

 

What about amatuer soccer?

The situation is a little different in amateur soccer because most pitches don’t have undersoil heating. If a heavy snowfall has frozen over and the referee deems the pitch to be dangerous or unplayable, they will postpone the match. 

After all, the referee’s primary job is to ensure the safety of the players that take to the field of play. If the pitch is covered in ice and snow, it poses more of a risk to the health and safety of the players and shouldn’t take place. 

If your local soccer field is covered in snow and you have a game upcoming, you will need to get together with your buddies and remove as much snow as possible! Providing it hasn’t iced over and isn’t dangerous, the referee should allow the game to take place. 

Six tips for playing soccer in the snow

Now that you know you can play soccer in the snow, how do you go about it? Here are six top tips that will ensure your safety and will make your experience of playing soccer in the snow a memorable one!

Wrap up warm

This might sound obvious, but keeping yourself warm when you’re playing in adverse weather conditions is super important. During your warmup and when you’re standing at the side of the pitch, wear gloves, a hat, and long training clothes so your body can retain its heat. 

Many players opt for undershirts and shorts while they’re playing in the snow, too. This is entirely up to you as the exercise will keep you relatively warm, but it’s best to protect yourself from the elements as best you can before taking to the field! 

Play with the right ball

Most soccer balls are white with some colored detailing. Of course, it’s extremely difficult to see a white soccer ball in the snow, making the game both difficult and dangerous.

Therefore, if you’re planning to play soccer in the snow, you will need to invest in a yellow or orange ball. Thankfully, you can buy a yellow or orange ball easily, such as this awesome yellow Adidas Capitano soccer ball. 

Clear the pitch before you start

We’ve touched upon this already, but you will need to clear the pitch of surface snow before you kick-off. While a little bit of snow lying on the ground isn’t overly dangerous, trying to play soccer with an inch or more of snow will prove difficult! 

Get your buddies together and shovel as much of the snow to the side as you can. It’s important for the referee to be able to see the pitch markings, particularly those in the goalmouth, so make sure you remove as much snow from these areas as you can.

Practice in the conditions beforehand

In the lead-up to your soccer match in the snow, it’s a good idea to get a feel for the conditions before you turn up to the match. After all, playing soccer in the snow presents unique challenges, so you will need to bear them in mind. 

If you can, organize a practice session the night before the game so you and your teammates can get a feel for what to expect. You might even decide to change your tactics to make things a little easier, considering the difficult conditions.

Stay on your feet

Some soccer players pride themselves on making excellent sliding tackles to retain possession for their team. However, sliding into challenges is even more dangerous than normal in the snow and will increase your chances of picking up a yellow or red card. 

When the conditions are difficult, it’s a good idea to stay on your feet as much as you can. Avoid diving into tackles and try and keep the game simple, as you don’t want the snow to affect you too much.

Take fewer risks

It stands to reason that when the conditions are particularly challenging, you should take fewer risks on the field. Adapt your tactics to minimize risks and focus on trying to keep a clean sheet wherever possible. 

Encourage your teammates to play in a safety-first way that ensures they keep things simple, as this will prevent the snow from influencing the outcome of the game too greatly.

The verdict: Should you play soccer in the snow?

There’s no doubt that playing in the snow can be tough, but providing you use the right equipment and take the necessary precautions, you shouldn’t have any issues. 

Hopefully, our top tips will help you prepare for your game in the snow the right way and ensure your team can come away with a victory.