Innovation at the
World Cup
by rick olivares pic from sporting news
During the World Cup match between Germany and Ghana,
the television commentator mentioned that should the temperatures soar to 32 degrees Celsius (90 Fahrenheit) there will be a
mandatory water break after every 30 minutes.
This gained further prominence when a Brazilian
judge, Rogerio Neiva Pinheiro, of the Labor Court in Brasilia, ordered that
FIFA comply or else face a fine of 200,000 real ($89,686) if they fail to
comply with the water break rule that is incidentally in the football body’s
protocol.
Brazil is a country with different climates.
Technically, it is the winter season in the Southern hemisphere but the
climates change depending on where you are and the time of the day.
In this World Cup, some teams play under the
sweltering noontime sun while others see action in the late afternoon and early
evening prompting people in the crowd to put on a little thicker clothing.
To give you an idea of the extremity, the climes in
stadia in Manaus and Natal are hot and humid whereas the arena at Porto Alegre
is cooler and a lot drier. That means the exposure to extreme changes in
weather can wreak havoc on the human body.
Watching the teams play in this World Cup, outside
the South American teams that are used to the weather, you could see the other
sides struggling. Like the hometown crowds, the weather is the X-factor and one
that does not favor European teams.
Obviously, the coaching staffs have anticipated that
and their battery of trainers and physiologists have prepared for the humidity
with hydration programs that are keenly monitored. And perhaps that is why
we’ve seen far fewer cases of cramping. But nevertheless, it is a concern.
Imagine several years from now when the matches are
played in Qatar (after the 2018 World Cup in Russia). Ironically, it is a
chilling thought.
I believe that water breaks aren’t the only
preventive measures FIFA should look at. They should look at adding at most two
more substitutes during matches. Each team has about 23 players lined up for
the World Cup and at the maximum, only 14 players are able to see action during
a match. Why line up that many players when they will hardly play?
Adding at least two more players to the allowed
number of substitutes will also be another preventive measure for injuries and
will provide much needed exposure to others.
The goal-line technology (that has so far eliminated
any controversial goals or non-goals) took a little longer to implement because
of testing and implementation. On the other hand, the mandatory water breaks
and adding two more substitutes should be a lot easier to introduce to the game.
This is also the first World Cup where that vanishing
foam-like spray has been used to mark free kicks and defensive walls. That has
made it easier in preventing any players from encroaching or moving the ball to
a more advantageous position. It is a simple innovation that is beneficial for
officials, coaches, players, and fans alike.
Now hopefully, this can be introduced to all domestic
leagues.
Sans the heat, this World Cup is arguably proving to
be the most exciting and best played of the lot. There have been incredible
comebacks, massive upsets, new heroes to cheer for, and goals galore. And to
think, the tournament is only halfway done. Furthermore, the innovations have
been marvelous and welcome additions that everyone can appreciate. A few more
cosmetic changes, such as the proposed breaks and addition of substitutes, can
only mean better play for all.
No comments:
Post a Comment