Could we ever see Football go to 4 quarters? – Part 1

I heard this mentioned the other day and I figured I would throw my terry two cents worth on the internet for everyone to see. Football is currently a sport of two halves of 45 minutes each + stoppage time (time added on for stoppages in play). Personally, I do not think this will happen, even if it did football has a whole host of other things to deal with first.

I also do not think that it is necessary, as a player you want to play and if you were to go down to 4 quarters of 25 mins for example then you end up spending more time getting a break and less time playing. So, it’s great for people who think the fitness aspect of football is too hard, but that is one of the best parts about football. If you like football but hate running play FIFA or become a goalkeeper.

2 halves compared to 4 quarters also creates a more open game. An open end to end game of football is an exciting spectacle. This generally happens towards the end of the halves, in particular the last half. Many, many goals have come late in matches as a result of tired and fatigued players making mistakes they would not normally make. Not only is it more exhausting physically but it is also more exhausting mentally to have 2 halves instead of 4 quarters. Once again adding to the openness of the game.

By having 4 quarters you create more stoppages. This means that the game goes a lot slower. We do not want football turning into NFL where a 60-minute game takes 3 hours of coverage. You could reduce the break times in between quarters to pick up the speed of the game but if you do that … why not just have 2 halves.