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When choosing goal sides in soccer, how much consideration do you give natural elements such as wind and sun?
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When choosing goal sides in soccer, how much consideration do you give natural elements such as wind and sun?
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Dave Griffiths
Director, Girls’ program, Javanon Soccer Club
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Playing into a setting sun can be tough for keepers and defenders who can be exposed by long balls behind them. Likewise, playing against the wind can put pressure on a team that struggles with the pace of balls, making it difficult to clear the ball out of their defensive third. Generally, I encourage coaches to play with the wind or sun in the first half in order to put early pressure on the opposition. A team that is playing against the wind needs to be skilled at keeping the ball on the ground and maintaining possession.
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Dan Schulz
Girls’ Head Coach, Oldham County High School
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I talk to my captains and let them make the decision after they converse with the goalie. It’s a goalie’s call. If the sun is going to be in her eyes, she’ll make that call. If it’s windy, I would want to get on top early, so I would take the wind in my favor. Field conditions have a lot to do with it, too. If it’s a muddy field, I would want to take the sloppy end first. Again, you’re trying to get on top and take the lead. Also consider the forecast. If you’re expecting rain or thunderstorms, take the advantage first, because the game may be called at the half.
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Dave Smith
Girls’ Head Coach, Providence High School
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Far more significant than the natural elements of wind, sun and weather are field measurements and turf conditions. For example, you may play tonight on a field that is 20 yards too narrow for soccer, then your next game is on a regulation-sized field, but it doesn’t have irrigation, so it’s hard as a rock and has little crunchy things that, at one time, resembled grass. The next game you may play on a field with beautiful Bermuda turf cut short so the ball plays like an indoor pitch and life is good. Fast forward to your next match and somebody forgot to cut the grass. Looking on the bright side, it forces us to adapt and be versatile, which is a good life lesson.
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John Zutt
Girls’ Head Coach, Christian Academy
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We do consider the elements when deciding which goal side to defend/attack at the start of a game. The main two elements you mentioned are the most critical that would/could affect the players, especially if either of the elements are going to exist in perhaps just one half. However, both elements are variables (especially the wind) that could change during the course of a half and/or especially the length of an entire game.
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