Wet weather at football matches. Could somebody please explain

Why exactly does the fact that a ball doesn't bounce or roll very far actually make the pitch dangerous? Are they trying to tell us that if a ball doesn't roll as far as a player expects it to that it will break the players legs somehow or that the ball not bouncing is going to somehow magically injure someone?

 

I suppose it's hard to stay on your feet when you're running if the pitch is too wet.

 

So shouldn't the tests actually be a referee attempting to fun on the pitch or something like that rather than checking to see if a ball bounces? It's a bit like checking to see if your pork joint is cooked in the middle by throwing it in a bowl of water and seeing if you get steam

 

It just makes it a farce if you kick the ball and it barely moves

 

I think it actually makes it more interesting. Games in wind, in rain, snow even, bright sunshine that's in someones eyes or any other weather condition makes the game more interesting. If we're only willing to play in perfect stale conditions then perhaps football should become an indoor sport.

 

Same for both teams. US football is NEVER called off for adverse weather conditions. Footballers are just soft pansies.

 

Isn't US football only called off for lightning because of the metal helmets?

 

Not that I know what their helmets actually are like, but that sounds like an urban legend to me. I doubt that the helmets are even made of metal?

Waiting for EastStander to enlighten us...

 

You have obviously never played footy on a pitch like that!

 

Roll sleeves up and get on with it! Bit of water, Christ.

 

American Football is not a game played on the deck. The ball rarely touches the ground.

 

In that case then we are admitting it is nothing to do with safety and all to do with entertainment aren't we?

 

Why are we admitting that again?

 

Because players have to run and jump in both US football and football and we are admitting that they manage it safely but the big difference is in football the ball is on the deck more and doesnt roll around. a ball of air not rolling around too far under its own steam is hardly a danger to anyone so if that is the reason for calling games off then it must be for entertainment purposes.

As a side note i've now seen 7 people sprinting across the pitch wearing trainers and none of them slipped. footballers wear wet weather football boots with studs so surely it should be even easier for them?

 

But the players do and its far more physical than football.

Im being facetious of course, but there is a point, somewhere in there

 

Yep, the conditions make the game unplayable rather than dangerous. There is no way that a game of football can be played on that pitch.

 

Safety - There is a massive difference between running across the pitch and the twisting and turning that will go on in the game. Players would slip on that, they then run a higher risk of injuring each other/themselves. There is also the issue of crashing into the posts/stuff around the pitch. The American footballers are all kitted up for crashing into stuff, all part of the game to them.

The game - The ball needs to be able to roll and bounce. The players need to be able to twist and turn. Otherwise the game is a farce.

Looking at that pitch I can't see that the decision is even up for discussion. The decision on whether to close the roof should be though.

 

Played on a similar pitch as a kid - the ball was taking in water as well. It was like kicking a brick at the end - we were awarded a penalty and the kicker didn't reach the six yard line!!! Lol - good old days

 

On a similar theme - once playing in a howling gale, I had bagged a brace and we got a penalty. I took it for the hat-trick, struck it well enough, but the ball ended up behind me when it landed.

 

It is dangerous playing football on such a bad pitch. I've seen someone go in for a tackle on a waterlogged pitch and tear all the ligaments up their leg 'cos their foot got stuck, and another persons knee bend so far backwards that they never played again.

I used to be a "play and damn the weather" type till I saw the damage it could do.