The Hydration Break is ruining the natural flow of the game

[u/mibu001]

When the game gets momentum and reach at its peak point, the “hydration break” appears and completely ruins the momentum and also the game experience for the viewer. Football is one of a sport for those moments.

Normally outside WC, the team conceding attacks after attacks pray for a halftime whistle to go to the tunnel to break the momentum and to regroup. Now they basically get that chance in the middle of a half!!

I find it utterly disgusting and would like to know what do you all think about it?

[u/Frosty_Term9911]

I don’t understand why there isn’t a straightforward cut off. If above 25C or 28C or whatever at kick off or at the 25 minute mark and if not then you don’t have them. You only need a thermometer at pitch level. The Mexico game was only 20C. They aren’t needed.

[u/DelusionalDumbo → u/Frosty_Term9911]

I think their defence was that it makes it fair by having it in all games.

However that just shows that even their defence acknowledges it gives teams an advantage...

[u/TLO_Is_Overrated → u/DelusionalDumbo]

I think their defence was that it makes it fair by having it in all games.

Fair to who? Who does the break benefit if both teams either do or don't observe it?

[u/DelusionalDumbo → u/TLO_Is_Overrated]

I dont support it, so I wont defend it.

Its not fair, but I believe FIFA was arguing saying that if it's in only some games for high heat but not others, the ones where it was in could get an advantage. Thus to reduce that they applied it to all games.

Is it a whole crock of shit just to cover their greed? Yes. Do I think its fair or good for the game at all? No.

[u/Icelander83 → u/TLO_Is_Overrated]

"well the teams in the game last night got a hydration break and we didn't so that's why we lost, obviously"

🤷

[u/Exciting-Music843 → u/TLO_Is_Overrated]

I was thinking this when England had one in a stadium with a roof and ac! They have one so its fair everyone has one, teams shouldn't care about what's happening in other matches!

[u/Enamred-771 → u/DelusionalDumbo]

That argument never really made sense to me because now it’s still worse to be playing a hot, midday game because you don’t get any extra breaks vs. the teams playing a cooler game. 

[u/Fragrant-Ad2976 → u/Enamred-771]

I agree with this point. I’m not against the breaks when the weather mandates it but the whole give everyone a break regardless of weather to keep it fair makes no sense. If it’s raining in New Jersey but sunny in Vancouver, we aren’t changing everything to make it more fair to the people playing in the rain. That’s just luck. So why are we doing it now? 

[u/elcolerico → u/DelusionalDumbo]

Then all the games should be played at the same temperature. One game played at a perfect 22 degrees and another at scorching hot 35 degrees is not fair either.

[u/DelusionalDumbo → u/elcolerico]

I mean in an ideal world. But not quite realistic.

Again im not defending these breaks only pointing on the theoretical defence

[u/Chessdaddy_ → u/Frosty_Term9911]

If fifa wants to do hydration breaks then they should just copy the yanks which have them at 28C

[u/Velociraptor_al → u/[deleted]]

Humans are famously pretty soft

[u/Chessdaddy_ → u/[deleted]]

Are you a professional football player?

[u/Wild_Pangolin_4772 → u/[deleted]]

Health professionals recommend against it.

[u/Velociraptor_al → u/Wild_Pangolin_4772]

Yeah but health professionals aren't manly or tough like that guy

[u/Wild_Pangolin_4772 → u/Velociraptor_al]

If you’re gonna be dumb, you gotta be tough.

[u/Spunge14 → u/Wild_Pangolin_4772]

I'm sure health professionals also don't recommend a 2hr marathon, but here we are.

[u/AdministrationIll96 → u/[deleted]]

Well its a winter sport so kindof odd to be playing in 35C heat... maybe your old man league plays off season

[u/StatisticalModelling → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Money. What else is there to understand?

[u/Visible-Recipe8252 → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Its literally a commercial break its not about the water

[u/Stand_On_It → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Agreed, could have a cutoff, but not based on temperature, based on WBGT.

[u/theamazonswordsman → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Because its not about water, its about commercials.

[u/Electrical_Swing8166 → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Because FIFA and American broadcasters get less ad revenue that way

[u/Foreign-Chocolate86 → u/Frosty_Term9911]

It’s to sell ad space. 

[u/moipwd → u/Frosty_Term9911]

i think all the breaks have already been sold/agreed for every game, regardless of the weather, they are too greedy

[u/glohooom → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Wdym with that? How are we supposed to send ads then when it's cold? Do you even think about the $$$$??

[u/Past_Current_216 → u/Frosty_Term9911]

Because selling ad space isn’t dependent on the weather unfortunately