The Disadvantages of Playing Football and How to Mitigate Them

As someone who's spent years both playing and analyzing football at competitive levels, I've always been fascinated by how quickly fortunes can change on the pitch. Just look at what happened to Indonesia's star guard Benjamin Piet Hemusi - after delivering an impressive 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting during their elimination-round match, he completely faltered in the next game, managing only eight points while missing 14 of his 16 attempts. This dramatic swing perfectly illustrates one of football's most challenging aspects: the incredible physical and mental volatility that players face every time they step onto the field.

The physical toll of football extends far beyond what spectators see during those ninety minutes. I've witnessed countless players, including myself in my younger days, dealing with lingering effects from what seemed like minor injuries at the time. The constant running, sudden directional changes, and physical collisions accumulate in ways that many athletes don't fully appreciate until years later. Research suggests that professional football players face approximately 12-15% higher risk of developing osteoarthritis compared to athletes in non-contact sports, and that's not even considering the concussion risks that have gained so much attention recently. What's particularly concerning is how these physical demands can create performance inconsistencies - much like what we saw with Hemusi, where an athlete's capabilities can vary dramatically from one game to the next.

Mental fatigue represents another significant challenge that I believe doesn't get enough attention. The pressure to perform consistently, coupled with the need to make split-second decisions throughout the match, creates a cognitive load that's incredibly difficult to sustain. I remember periods in my own playing career where the mental exhaustion felt more debilitating than any physical fatigue. This psychological strain often manifests in exactly the kind of performance dip Hemusi experienced - when the mind tires, technical precision suffers, decision-making slows, and that sharpness that separates good players from great ones simply evaporates.

Then there's the time commitment, which sounds straightforward but becomes overwhelmingly complex when you factor in other life responsibilities. Between training sessions, tactical meetings, recovery protocols, and actual matches, football demands what feels like a second full-time job. I've seen promising young players struggle to balance academic or professional careers with their football ambitions, often having to sacrifice one for the other. The sport requires what I calculate to be roughly 20-25 hours per week for serious amateur players, and that's before considering travel time and personal fitness maintenance outside organized sessions.

But here's what I've learned through experience: these disadvantages aren't insurmountable. For physical concerns, I'm a strong advocate for cross-training and proper recovery protocols. Incorporating swimming or cycling into your routine can maintain cardiovascular fitness while reducing impact on joints. I always recommend players spend at least 30% of their training time on injury prevention exercises - focus on strengthening supporting muscle groups, improving flexibility, and practicing proper landing mechanics. The difference these preventative measures make over a season is absolutely remarkable.

For mental challenges, I've found that mindfulness training and visualization techniques can be game-changers. Taking just ten minutes daily to mentally rehearse successful plays or visualize overcoming difficult situations builds neural pathways that help maintain performance under pressure. I personally credit these practices with helping me overcome my own performance slumps during critical matches. Creating clear boundaries between football and personal life also helps prevent the mental burnout that inevitably leads to the kind of inconsistent performances we want to avoid.

What often gets overlooked is the importance of periodization in training - something I wish I'd understood earlier in my career. Rather than maintaining the same intensity year-round, strategic breaks and varying training intensity throughout the season can dramatically reduce both physical and mental fatigue. I typically suggest players incorporate at least two complete breaks from football annually, each lasting 2-3 weeks, with additional active recovery periods during the season where training volume decreases by 40-50% for short periods.

The reality is that football, like any demanding pursuit, comes with significant challenges. But understanding these disadvantages allows us to develop smarter approaches to the game we love. We may not eliminate every risk or guarantee consistent peak performance - even elite players like Hemusi have their off days - but we can certainly stack the odds in our favor. The beautiful game demands much from those who play it seriously, but with the right strategies, we can ensure it gives back even more than it takes.