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What are pinnies in Soccer?

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When watching a soccer match, it’s common to see players wearing green, red, or off-colored mesh vests. These vests will be worn by players for a number of reasons. 

On the sidelines, soccer players will wear vests or pinnies to prevent the referee from mistaking them for a live player. Players frequently go out of bounds to receive the ball, and without the pinnies, the referee can keep track of active players. 

We go over a handful of the vest’s applications and how they benefit both the referee and the players.

Why Soccer Players Wear Vests On The Sideline

Avoiding Confusion Of Benched Players

Soccer is a sport that necessitates continuous movement. This action can take place anywhere on the pitch. Whether it’s a sideline cross or a pass from midfield to midfield, the ball is always moving. Players compete for control of the ball near the sideline for both a corner kick and sideline possession. 

Meanwhile, players on the bench must remain flexible in case the coach summons them to the game. It’s not like baseball or basketball, where a player can sit out the entire game and then come off the bench and give it his best.

Players must maintain a constant state of looseness because they will be required to run at full pace at any moment, frequently against an opponent who has already run the entire game.

It’s easy to confuse a player from your own team or an opponent player on the sideline for a live player since players are loosening up on the sideline. This is why soccer players wear green or red vests to distinguish themselves from other players in the game.

If a player is not actively participating in the game, FIFA requires them to wear a vest like the one shown below. Differentiating between benched and active players is becoming more popular in professional, collegiate, and even some amateur leagues.

On the other hand, when they try to guard the ball on the sidelines, the opponent can tell the difference between active and benched players. Both parties can easily play a good clean game thanks to the brightly coloured vests.

Substitution Rule

Basketball, football, and baseball, for example, allow for limitless substitutes. If the matchup is favourable or if a player is struggling, remove one person and instantly replace them with another.

Soccer, on the other hand, does not allow for endless substitutes. Another reason for the importance of the vests is that they protect the wearer from the elements. Coaches aren’t able to take advantage of sneaking players on and off the pitch. Because the vest-wearing players stand out to both the opposing side and the spectators, no drastic changes can be made.

Teams may use different colours of pinnies to put on players so coaches can tell who can and can’t substitute.

Helping The Referee

Soccer players, as previously said, would warm up on the sideline to keep their bodies loose. The referee may call offsides if the ball is in transition and a player on the sideline is sprinting without a vest on.

I know it sounds strange, but a referee from across the field who may have bad vision could mistake a benched player for an active one. Wearing a bright colour that contrasts with the shirt colour can assist the referee in differentiating between the two sorts of players.

This will also assist the officials in determining whether or not the players warming up from the sideline are onside. Referees are frequently required to make rapid and succinct decisions in order to satisfy fans, players, and coaches. Every time a call is delayed, everyone becomes irritated and complains.

Vests & Pinnies To Wear On The Sideline

If you’re shopping for vests or pinnies, they’re really inexpensive on Amazon because they’re made of mesh.

If you wish to provide your squad with pinnies or vests that they may wear throughout both practises and games, we discovered that these vests have the best quality and consistency.

It’s always a good idea to keep these pinnies in your purse or on hand as a coach in case you need them in an emergency. We usually suggest having a soccer bag or a small backpack that can hold these pinnies and vests.

Conclusion

Teams can be seen wearing mesh vests or pinnies to indicate that they are out of the game and on the bench. These vests are worn by players to assist referees and active players in determining who is alive and who is not.

These brightly coloured vests are usually lime green or bright yellow in hue, making them easily visible to people participating in the game.