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Physical Ability

By Michael Shanks

Height is a critical trait for soccer players; however, it is a sport in which small men can flourish.

Soccer is an incredible sport in which players of all sizes may rise to prominence, also augmenting its [accessibility]. However, in today’s professional level, it is undeniably much harder for small footballers to make it as a professional.

Liverpool forward Peter Crouch uses his height to his advantage.

In this case, a physical genetic trait that can make or break a player is completely out in the open. In that sense, short players whose weakness is height have their weakness constantly on display for everyone to see, whereas a tall person with poor footwork can hide his weakness outside of the game. This may play into the amount of respect from peers who have never seen either player on the field playing.

An enormous aspect of many professional players’ success is their size. It raises an interesting question: should a tall unskilled player who is equally effective as a short skilled player receive the same amount of respect from the soccer community and his peers? After all, as is the case with most sports, the short player must train much harder and longer to achieve the same result.

*Of course speed kills, and even players with less skill can become a critical factor. Speed breaks defenses down like no other strategy. However, as you get to the highest levels, there's no replacement for ball skills. Even a player with great speed has to have great touch and the ability to dribble, cut and avoid defenders.