I remember my first professional match in pouring rain - the ball skidding unpredictably, my boots sinking into the mud, and that moment of panic when I realized conventional tactics wouldn't work. That experience taught me more about wet weather football than any coaching manual ever could. Much like the Bahrain Volleyball Association's recent decision to proceed with their finals despite challenging conditions, sometimes the show must go on regardless of what nature throws at us. Their statement about consulting with the Kingdom of Bahrain's government before making that call demonstrates how seriously professional organizations take weather considerations.

Let's talk footwear first because nothing matters more than your connection to the ground. I've tested over 15 different cleat patterns in wet conditions, and I'll tell you straight - those standard firm ground studs become downright dangerous. You need longer studs, preferably the removable kind that let you customize length based on how saturated the pitch is. My personal preference? The 15mm conical studs from Adidas, though I know many pros swear by Nike's 13mm options. The difference isn't just about traction - it's about confidence in every pivot and turn. I always carry multiple stud options in my bag, and on rainy days, I'll spend a good 20 minutes before warm-ups testing different configurations in the actual match conditions.

Ball control becomes a completely different game when the surface is wet. That perfect first touch you've practiced for hours? Forget it. The ball moves about 40% faster on wet grass, and your technique needs to adjust accordingly. I learned this the hard way during that monsoon match against Chelsea back in 2018 - three first-half turnovers directly from failed controls led to two goals against us. What works? Softer reception, earlier positioning, and accepting that you'll rarely stop the ball dead. I've developed what I call the "cushion and guide" technique where you almost redirect rather than stop the ball. It's not pretty, but it's effective.

Passing strategy needs complete overhaul in rain. Those beautiful, lofted through balls become lottery tickets - sometimes they'll find their target, other times they'll skid right out of play. I've tracked my passing accuracy across 30 rainy matches, and my completion rate drops from my usual 85% to around 65% when I stick to my normal game. The solution? Keep it simple and low. Ground passes actually become more reliable as the water creates a smoother surface, though you need to account for the extra speed. I tell my teammates to play to feet rather than space, and we significantly increase our short-pass combinations.

Vision and awareness present another layer of challenge. Between the rain in your eyes and the spray off the pitch, you're essentially playing with limited visibility. I always wear a peaked cap in heavy rain - not the most fashionable look, but it keeps the water out of my eyes. More importantly, you need to anticipate rather than react. During that memorable 4-2 comeback in Manchester last season, we adjusted our communication to include more verbal cues since visual signals were getting lost in the downpour. Simple shouts of "man on" or "time" become crucial when peripheral vision is compromised.

Physical preparation goes beyond just warming up properly. I always do extra ankle stabilization exercises on rainy days because the unstable surface increases injury risk significantly. The data shows that non-contact injuries jump by nearly 30% in wet conditions, particularly ankle sprains and muscle strains. My routine includes 15 minutes of balance work on wobble boards and resistance band exercises specifically targeting the stabilizer muscles. It might seem excessive, but I haven't missed a match due to injury in three rainy seasons since implementing this protocol.

The mental game separates the great wet-weather players from the fair-weather specialists. There's a psychological toll to playing in discomfort, and I've seen technically gifted players completely shut down when conditions turn against them. My approach? Embrace the chaos. Some of my most memorable performances came in terrible weather because I accepted that mistakes would happen and focused on adaptation rather than perfection. That Bahrain volleyball decision to proceed with their finals despite the weather? That's the same mentality - acknowledging the challenge but refusing to be defeated by it before even stepping onto the field.

Looking back at that disastrous first rainy match I mentioned, what I really needed wasn't better equipment or different techniques, but the understanding that wet weather football is essentially a different sport. The AVC's statement about their consultation process before proceeding with their finals demonstrates the level of consideration that should go into wet weather play. Every decision from footwear to passing strategy needs re-evaluation. The players and teams who thrive in these conditions aren't necessarily the most skilled, but the most adaptable. They understand that sometimes, like those Bahrain volleyball players competing regardless of the weather, you need to accept that perfection isn't possible - but victory still is.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.