|
The average height among elite players fell by two inches from 2005 to 2015.
This is according to in-house OZY analysis that looked at the 11 players selected each year for FIFA FIFPro World XI for that decade. Every year since 2005, over 20,000 professional soccer players around the world elect crème-de-la-crème footballers to World XI. The weighted average height of these soccer maestros fell by about two inches, from 6′0″ in 2005 to 5′10″ in 2015. The most dramatic diminution has been among the midfielders, as the average height of the three playmakers plummeted from 6′1″ in 2007 to 5′7″ in 2010 and 2013 Trophies reflect this downward spiral, as teams led or captained by 5′7″ players won the last two World Cups and the Euros, as well as the Champions League in four out of the last seven years. The driving force behind the rise of shorties was the emergence of tiki-taka, a playing style that relies on short, agile and technically gifted players such as the Catalan trinity of Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. Pioneered and perfected at Barcelona and adopted by Spain, the tactic, equally admired and abhorred for its obsession with passing and possession, made these teams untouchable between 2008 and 2012. After his formidable spell as the manager of Barcelona during its heyday, Pep Guardiola migrated to Bayern Munich in 2013 to evangelize tiki-taka. With Bayern players forming the backbone of its squad, Germany won the World Cup a year later thanks to 5′9″ midfielder Mario Götze’s extra-time goal. “Once Barcelona and Spain succeeded at the highest level, short players benefited as teams kept the ball on the ground more and used technical skills over physicality,” says 5′7″ San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Tommy Thompson. Lots of defenders say the smallest players give you the biggest problems, he adds, “because they go under you with faster pivot.” |
| Yo pp, this is a thread about female athletes |
Yeah. I know. What do you want to know? That the last three local females that were or are rostered on Youth National Teams are average to below average in height, or that the local girl rostered on the USWNT is average height....or do you want to know that height has little bearing on midfielders....or that speed is more desirable than height.....or that height doesn't determine athletic prowess....or that height is one of many attributes...... This whole thread has been dedicated to height. Its exhausting 😩. Some of you really need to take out a ruler and remind yourself how small of a difference one or two inches is and how ridiculous you sound advocating so passionately about how that one or two inches is a game changer.. |
Well that one or two inches ... that’s what she said. |
|
Sports is a game of inches and seconds in regards to height, jumping ability and speed.
There are always exceptions based upon a player’s technical abilities. But if the player has great technical skills along with height and speed, he/she would be highly recruited. If a coach has two players with identical technical abilities and speed but one is 2 inches taller, the coach would pick the taller player. Reality sucks, but it’s true. |
Truest comment on entire DCUM Soccer board. +1 |
It depends on the level of soccer frankly. There is still more to a player than technical ability and height, weight and speed. If a college coach is making the selection there are multiple criteria. Attitude, grades for admission are huge and there is far more digging into a players personality than many here will give credit. College coaches do not want problem players for a inch difference. College coaches are not going to go out on a limb with admissions for a player that is not a true impact player if their grades or tests scores are in question. There are lots of very talented players that do get overlooked for these and other deficiencies. Not all opportunities will be blessed due to soccer ability or physical attributes. There are many other variables that can become great equalizers depending on the soccer program and coach. The slightly shorter same as kid with better grades has a distinct advantage in a college coaches eyes. |
There is always a tie breaker if anything is even. However, everything is rarely even when you look at the totality of the kid. |
Yep, Harry Kane is lightning. I am sure prime Maradona and Pele would struggle to play at Kane's high level of athleticism and skill. (Speculation here, but if you had a team of Maradonas playing a team of Kanes the ball would be in the Kane side 90%+ of the time.) These guys may be fast, but not necessarily quick. And not one has top level close control. As of summer the most valuable players (transfer value) were: Mbappe - 5'10"; Sterling 5'7"; Sancho 5'11"; Alexander-Arnold 5'9"; Rashford 5'11; Salah 5'9"; Mane 5'9"; Griezmann 5'9"; Davies 6'0"; Kane 6'2"; Firmino 5'11"; Bernardo Silva 5'8"; Gabriel Jesus 5'9"; Joao Felix 5'11" . . . Do you see a pattern? The issue in the women's game is there are comparatively fewer counterparts to the list above. But if you did have a team of prime Martas vs pick a tall current player on U.S. team, I'm betting on the Martas. |
| USMNT suck. Whats their height? |
Christian Pulisic is 5'8". |
Go figure. The good guy is average height for US men.or is that below average? Either way....go figure |
+1000 |
The truest comment is that all thing are rarely equal when looking at the totality of the player. |
| Catarina Macario. Shes pretty good. |