Athletic performance is impaired in cold weather, with muscle strength decreased and reaction times increased, as your body reduces blood flow to conserve heat. Soccer players are more fortunate than spectators in cold weather since the physical exertion of playing helps to raise their body temperature by around 10C (18 F). Players can also stay warm by wearing additional clothing, as long as they stay within the rules.
Basic Playing Kit
The basic playing kit for soccer is laid out in Law 4 of the “Laws of the Game,” written by the game’s governing body, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). The law states that players must wear a shirt with sleeves, shorts, socks, footwear and shinguards. On safety, the law also states that players must not wear anything, such as jewelry, that could post a danger to the player himself or to another player.
Allowed Items
In addition to the basic playing kit, players can add several elements to help them deal with cold weather. They can wear long-sleeved versions of their playing jersey, or wear an undershirt with long sleeves to help keep out the cold. However, players must ensure that the sleeves of the undershirt are the same color as the sleeves on their playing shirt. They can also choose to wear undershorts, but again these must be the same color as the shorts of the basic kit. The laws also allow players to wear tights to keep their legs warm in cold weather, as long as the tights are the same color as the player’s shorts. If you choose to wear an undershirt, undershorts or tights, Dr. Don Kirkenhall of the University of North Carolina Medical Center recommends wearing a fabric that “wicks” sweat away from your skin.
Banned Items
In May 2011, FIFA banned players from wearing snoods, a cylindrical piece of cloth worn around the neck in a similar way to a scarf. The ban was implemented after a spate of snood-wearing in the English Premier League and in other European countries. Players argued the garment kept their necks warm, but soccer law-makers pointed to the potential safety problems posed by the snood. “There may be a safety issue,” said a FIFA. spokesman. “If, for example, a player was running through on goal and an opponent grabbed his snood, that could pose a potential danger to his neck.” Although not explicitly banned, the use of hats is extremely rare during games, but many players wear them while warming up.
Role of the Referee
Ultimately the referee will decide whether a player’s clothing is suitable or not. He has the authority to tell a player to leave the soccer field to correct his clothing and prevent him re-joining the game until his clothing and equipment is acceptable. If a player re-enters the field without the referee’s permission, he will be shown a yellow ( first warning) card. The referee also has the authority to prevent a game being started if weather conditions are too severe, and he can call a halt during the game if the weather deteriorates to the point where it is unsafe for either players or spectators.
References
- NSCAA; The Effects of Temperature on Performance; Lawrence Fine
- “Soccer Journal”; Playing in Cold Weather; Don Kirkenhall Ph.D.; Sept 2001
- FIFA: Laws of the Game
- BBC Sport; Players to be Banned From Wearing Neck-Warming Snoods; May 2011
- Sky Sports News; FIFA Considers Snood Ban; James Riach; February 2011
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