What you Need to Know About Playing Soccer in the Rain

With fall finally here, Socceristas around the world may find themselves playing in less than ideal conditions — but that’s all part of the deal, right? Most clubs and high school seasons will play throughout the colder months. Meaning that girls soccer players should be well-equipped for all possibilities, including playing in the rain.

Playing soccer in the rain comes with its own set of challenges, and there’s a few things every soccer girl should know.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

When it’s cold and raining, you may feel less thirsty than usual, and consequently, take fewer water breaks. There’s actually a scientific explanation for this. According to the Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin: “When you exhale, the vapor you see is actually fluid loss.” That means you’re losing more water than you realize, and because you also feel less thirsty, you may not even notice that you need water. With this in mind, drink up the same way you would on a hot summer day.

Re-think that tackle

If going in for hard challenges is part of your game, you should re-evaluate that instinct in the rain. Sliding across the wet surface could cause you to lose control and seriously injure yourself. To help stay on your feet, it might be worth it to invest in a good pair of soft ground cleats. These specialty cleats often have metal studs, which are great for maintaining traction and will help make those quick changes of direction easier in the mud.

Layer up

It can be incredibly hard to stay warm in the cold, wet weather, making muscle injuries common. But, according to an exercise physiologist interviewed by Shape: “If you’re dressed appropriately for the weather and you do a gradual, proper warmup, you can avoid a lot of that.” Aside from thoroughly warming up before your game, it’s crucial you stay warm whenever you’re on the sideline. Wear a jacket and a long-sleeve layer underneath your jersey, and make sure to stretch again before you’re subbed in.

Inspect the field 

It’s the ref’s job to ensure the field you’re about to play on is safe. But, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on the Laws of the Game and speak up if you think it’s no longer safe to continue. Puddles not only slow down the game, but can pose a threat to the safety of you and your teammates. No game is worth more than an entirely preventable injury.

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