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Post by Rajiv on Oct 29, 2011 7:42:46 GMT 8
The link in the quote above is to a post on the old blog - "Rest, Sleep & Food: 20 September 2009". Ideally, if you have to eat before a game, a light meal at least two hours before. If you're going to have a heavy meal, it should be at least 4 hours before. Not really feasible to have a heavy meal before our 9 pm starts on weeknights, but if you have a heavy meal before our 5 pm starts on weekends, you should finish your meal by 1 pm. I'm putting this here, as it is really about fitness. Or health rather. I should change the subject to "Fun, sustainability & health".
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Post by Marko on Nov 4, 2011 13:26:08 GMT 8
I would encourage players to avoid sliding tackles, especially from the back. I was a victim for a few sessions lately, though no major injuries substained.
However, this is futsal, not field soccer and even fustal tournaments rules prohibit sliding tackles.
Thanks.
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Post by Rajiv on Nov 4, 2011 14:11:04 GMT 8
Mark, I've moved your post here, as the matter had been raised recently on this thread (see the post above yours). There are repeated reminders of the rules on the message board and in the monthly e-mail Updates, especially those relating to playing safe. There were reminders in the latest Update, sent out on 31 October 2011. If you provide me with the names of the players concerned, I will remind them individually. If a particular player is independently identified by several players as breaching the rules, especially those relating to safe play, and does not stop even after personal reminders, I will suspend or ban the player. For more serious breaches, there may be an immediate suspension.
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Post by Marko on Nov 14, 2011 14:13:29 GMT 8
Everyone needs to play their part to ensure the safety of others. As the theme goes, fiofafi is a social game, not a competitive club. I suggest we ban all blades/stud boots. Otherwise, there is no single incentive for the rest who wear fustal boots to games.
Rajvi, Could you put a strong point across in bold and red that this is banned! I'm not sure how this can be managed better. If there is no deterrent, I will be wearing shin guards and stud boots as well.
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Post by Rajiv on Nov 14, 2011 15:32:43 GMT 8
.... I suggest we ban all blades/stud boots. Otherwise, there is no single incentive for the rest who wear fustal boots to games. .... Could you put a strong point across in bold and red that this is banned! .... It has been in bold and red under the Playing Rules & Principles for some time now: .... * Please use suitable footwear for our games. All our games are on astro pitch. [red] Studs are not allowed. Blades are also not suitable.[/red] If you do not already have one, please get a pair of astro shoes with rubber-pimpled soles as soon as possible. In the meantime, on the covered pitch at Turf City, runners/trainers suffice. .... As discussed above, the position on blades is not as clearcut as studs, but I am moving it in the same direction. .... I'm not sure how this can be managed better. .... .... I'm not at most games. I hope the regulars can help me out. If you come across breaches of the rules and principles, please remind the player concerned. If the player concerned disagrees that there has been a breach, we can discuss it on the message board. .... Apart from pointing out the rule to the player concerned, you can take note of his name and bring it to my attention: .... If you provide me with the names of the players concerned, I will remind them individually. If a particular player is independently identified by several players as breaching the rules, especially those relating to safe play, and does not stop even after personal reminders, I will suspend or ban the player. For more serious breaches, there may be an immediate suspension. .... If there is no deterrent, I will be wearing shin guards and stud boots as well. This is not a solution. The response to others breaching rules is to bring the specific breach to my attention (as above), not to threaten to breach the rules yourself. The same rules apply to you, and if other players do their part, and bring any breach by you to my attention, then the consequences fall on you.
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Post by Foo Cheong on Nov 18, 2011 7:25:11 GMT 8
I have a pair of Adidas Questra multiground. The studs are shorter and more than the regular studs boot, making the sole flattish (compared with the regular studs boot). Hence it is much less dangerous when it comes to stepping on, or leaving a mark, on opponents. Is this okay? Personally I think it is less dangerous (or dangerous-looking) than blades. I promise to be careful (like what someone who wears blades promised!) ;D Attachments:
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Post by Foo Cheong on Nov 18, 2011 7:36:01 GMT 8
I also have a pair of Nike Tiempo turf shoes. Studs-wise, it is about the same as the Adidas Questra, except that the studs are shorter and more. P.S. This is on a separate post from the earlier one because I was unable to attach two photos in one post. Attachments:
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Post by Rajiv on Nov 19, 2011 12:12:03 GMT 8
I also have a pair of Nike Tiempo turf shoes. Studs-wise, it is about the same as the Adidas Questra, except that the studs are shorter and more. .... Probably better, as the pressure exerted by any one stud is less, so less pain to the other player if you step on his foot. Or we could conduct an experiment at today's game - get one of the other players to put on each of your shoes in turn, and step on your foot (with trainers on), and you decide which one is less painful. It's also better if the sole is rubber. Plastic soles cause more pain. With all the hybrid materials and designs available, it will become increasingly difficult to determine what is allowable or not. General rule is, the footwear shouldn't cause injury, and should cause minimal pain, if you step on another player's foot with it on.
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Post by Rajiv on Nov 28, 2011 8:44:15 GMT 8
Just got my leg X-rayed at Alexandra hospital . Suspect ligament torn  . One week medical leave but gotta rest for a month . .... One month is minimum recovery for ligament. Longer if it is cruciate, shorter if it is medial collateral. .... ... raj, have a good rest this year and come back to kick butt next year... ... I tore 2 ligaments in my toe before.. Doctor asked me not to play for a few months.. Longest I lasted without playing was 2 weeks..  Boris, you'd have been in your early 20s at the time? It's one thing to play against doctor's advice when you're young - you may not be aware of any permanent damage until you're older, but when you're 40+, any permanent damage that may arise is likely to have more effect immediately.
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 7, 2011 10:58:16 GMT 8
One sided score-lines are not much fun for those on the losing side. Player swaps are available, but rarely used. For Sunday's game: .... Players generally dont swap after half an hour into play..... Monday night's game was going a similar way until an injury to one of the players forced a change. It was 9-3 to Whites after 20 minutes. With a good replacement for the injured player, it was 11-6 to Blacks in the last half hour. .... On aggregate (not counting the 4-a-side), Whites just edged it, 15-14. .... . A player swap is seen as disruptive, but it usually works out well. Everyone, including those on the winning side, get a better game experience. It takes just a few minutes. .... Many of us are playing for fun and fitness, even if our games have a competitive edge. One side running away with the game does detract from the enjoyment, so in one-sided games, it's worth considering player swap(s) about half-way through. We can treat the two halves as two legs - adding to the fun aspect of our game rather than the competitive aspect. For the player(s) that swap from the winning side to the losing side, there is the added challenge of whether they can make a difference to the losing side. Our games were almost meant to be first and foremost fun. .... Having an aggregate score maintains the competitive element.
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 7, 2011 15:20:12 GMT 8
The risk of injury from an opponent's footwear is raised with me from time to time, by several different players. Increasingly, I believe it is not so much whether it is blades, studs or rubber pimples, it is more about the material. The protrusions are intended to improve friction and grip on all-weather astro turf pitches. Harder plastic soles are more likely to cause injury to an opponent than softer rubberised soles. The more prominent the protrusions (studs, blades), the greater the risk. I blame manufacturers. Even with a lot of literature on the risks, they continue to market harder plastic studs and blades as suitable for both grass and astro turf. I also find that the harder plastic soles don't last as long. They are more brittle than the softer rubberised soles and then to break after some months. All the rubberised shoes I have used have lasted more than a year, even with repeated use. If this issue continues without resolution, I might need to procure a supplier of appropriate footwear and require that everyone purchase their footwear for our games from that supplier.
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Post by Rainer on Dec 7, 2011 16:09:11 GMT 8
rubber studds allowed only - is it really that difficult?
when i went to upgrade my pair about 8 weeks ago the choices i had were: plastic studds, plastic blades, rubber studds.
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 17, 2011 23:21:18 GMT 8
Ganesh was wearing plastic studs at today's game. They were pointed out to me. It seems he has been wearing them for some time, and which has resulted in injury to others. I told him they are not allowed. The conversation turned to Imran buying him a pair with rubber pimples for Christmas. Perhaps a pair "fabricated" by Rajseran, Rainer, Foo Cheong & Co: heard he got an endorsement from 'hello kitty' for his bold action Foo Cheong has decided [on] ... wearing new Kits on Sat  endorsed by Hello Kitty  .... The colour, not the design with studs (unless they are rubber). Another reminder that plastic studs and blades are not allowed. Like I've said before, I need to be informed of who is wearing such footwear before I can remind them personally that they are not allowed. Otherwise, all we have is this thread, and other regulars taking on the responsibility of reminding players wearing such footwear that they are not allowed.
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 24, 2011 8:55:41 GMT 8
A discussion on aging on the report thread for last Sunday's game: Regular thing for me too Damian.....just that its getting worse. My ankles have sharp pains every step i take.....n the periods are getting longer. Used to fade after 2 days, now its on for a week and the next game comes round again. I think many of the regulars are carrying some form of injury....just comes with the territory of getting OLD!! .... True That , I am getting all this pain especially in the mornings . But again the love of the game makes it painless for awhile and back to suffering again after every game . I am just gonna see how long i can go about doing this otherwise might just retire to Golf . Hmm....at least I am not the only one experiencing this and I guess AGE is a definitive factor. Incidentally, just wondering if anyone is taking any supplements like Glucosamine etc which is supposed to help with joints etc? Read reports that its just a placebo and doesn't really work. I was thinking of investigating if there are any kinds of osteopathic, homeopathic (NO RAJ, this is not what you think it is  ) or orthopaedic remedies that could help prevent as opposed to treating these.....i hate feeling so handicapped!! Anyways, MERRY CHRISTMAS all!! All three who posted above are in their early 40s. It gets tougher as you go through your 40s. The three of them are relatively young, compared to Foo Cheong, Look Liew, Vincent YKL and their contemporaries who play with us. Even I'm closer to 50 than 40. And of course, there's Nordin: .... .... ..., at 51, Nordin is the oldest player we currently have. .... It's about taking greater care in order to sustain your playing. Apart from the "Sustainability" page on the old blog, the following posts are relevant: * "Participation & Sustainability" posted on 22 August 2008* "... And Sustainability. And Fun" posted on 4 March 2009* "Into Our Forties & Fifties" posted on 16 April 2009* "Health & Safety - An Update" posted on 21 April 2009* "Injuries" posted on 4 September 2009* "Rest, Sleep & Food" posted on 20 September 2009Specifically on glucosamine, the last post includes the following passage:
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Post by Rajiv on Dec 30, 2011 10:16:00 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 4, 2012 14:37:48 GMT 8
I just want to re-iterate on sliding tackles, be it side, back, front, etc. There shouldn't be any sort of that, be it soft tackle, i.e. hands on the ground. What matters most if we don't get ourselves injured at the end of that day and be safe home. .... I've addressed how to deal with fouls under the "Principles, system & playing rules" thread. Essentially: * Call the foul when it happens. * If there is no agreement that it was a foul, and it is serious enough, discuss the particular incident under the report thread. Mark's comment also raises the question what amounts to a sliding tackle. First, a reminder that what we play is not "futsal". In some ways, it is a hybrid between futsal and 11-a-side football. That's why I stick with "generic indoor football". Our rules have developed to suit our game. Amongst other things, we have adopted the futsal rule that sliding tackles are not allowed. This has been the case since the rules were first set out on 24 May 2009. This thread was started on 19 July 2010 as a discussion on sliding tackles, with contributions from several players. The rules not only prohibit sliding tackles but all reckless tackles and dangerous play. I came across the following discussion on a futsal website: I don't think the hand touching the ground can be a criteria for what amounts to a sliding tackle. A sliding tackle is ordinarily understood to mean the player making the tackle slides. Isn't it that which creates the risk to the player tackled? Other types of tackles may be dangerous, such as a high foot ( which is also not allowed), but in order to know if other types of tackles are dangerous, we need to have a description of the tackle. Ultimately: .... The rules are geared towards keeping the game flowing while reducing the risk of injury and are intended to accommodate different styles of play. .... Everyone who plays football or other physical sport should be aware that there is always some risk of injury. The aim is to minimise the risk. As stated on the "Sustainability" page on the old blog:
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Post by Yip Weng on Jan 4, 2012 15:58:04 GMT 8
1. I agree sliding tackles of any sort should be disallowed.
2. frankly, I fail to understand why studs or blades are disallowed. Studs & blades enhance grip/traction/stability, and correspondingly helps avoid injury arising from awkward angles to joints. We need to see what we are comparing here. Comparing rubber pimples to studs/blades, I really cannot see what is the difference.
3. I also strongly feel that everybody should wear shin guards. There are cheap plastic pieces that are inserted into socks. These are for safety, and do not risk injury to others.
No matter whether your shoes sport rubber pimples/studs/blades, you are going to hurt others as long as you are too aggressive. I believe the point is to implement rules to govern the type of tackles that are permitted, and not overly restrict the type of shoes that can be worn.
Personally, I have been wearing flat soled shoes all this while, and I find that I am slipping all the time. I've looked at rubber pimple shoes, but never got down to buying them because you can only wear them on astro. If you wear rubbler pimples on any non-astro surface they will spoil very quickly.
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 4, 2012 16:34:36 GMT 8
The discussion of blades goes back to August 2008. There is a fair bit of literature on the dangers of blades. Even Alex Ferguson has spoken out against them. And here's a picture from an article entitled "Football blades: a cause for concern".  The hard plastic ridges of the blades can cause injury to soft tissue. Likewise for hard plastic studs. There is also a risk to the wearer himself. A comment on the old blog dated 25 August 2009: Apart from such an extreme case, the risk of turning your ankle is far greater with plastic blades and studs compared with rubber pimples. As all our games are on astro-turf, I have no choice but to insist on all-weather astro shoes in order to minimize the risk of injuries. For the covered pitches, flat soles suffice, although they are not ideal. .... ... manufacturers market blades as being suitable for both grass and astroturf. Retailers take the lead from their suppliers. .... Manufacturers and retailers are looking to sell their product. On the other hand, you do need proper equipment for the type of game you are playing. As for other safety equipment: If no one is wearing plastic blades or studs, than there is less need for shin pads, as you're less likely to be caught by another player's blades or studs. If a player wearing plastic shin pads makes contact with another player with his shin, the hard plastic can cause pain and bruising to the other player. Shin pads should be padded. That's the thing about use of cheap plastic in sports equipment - easy to manufacture and sell, but not so good to use, especially for a physical contact sport.
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Post by Yip Weng on Jan 4, 2012 17:03:34 GMT 8
ok ok i go buy me a pair of rubber pimples
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 10, 2012 11:02:08 GMT 8
My beloved Turf City, please let us stay another 3 years. You've certainly increased the regularity with which you play Yip Weng. Your record over the past 3 years: Quarter | Number of games | Q1 2009 | 0 | Q2 2009 | 0 | Q3 2009 | 6 | Q4 2009 | 0 | Q1 2010 | 0 | Q2 2010 | 4 | Q3 2010 | 2 | Q4 2010 | 2 | Q1 2011 | 2 | Q2 2011 | 2 | Q3 2011 | 0 | Q4 2011 | 7 |
That's a total of 25 games. Azmi rocks!!! 173 games!!! Keep it up, and you might get there, or closer. And you might even get Rockstar's "FIOFAFI Appreciation Award": .... On Behalf of Fiofafi , Azmi Appreciation Award .  
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