ThePresence
Elite Member
- Nov 19, 2001
- 27,727
- 16
- 81
QFT.
Although I disagree with him about great defensive games in football, they can be alot of fun as well.
Although I disagree with him about great defensive games in football, they can be alot of fun as well.
irishScott
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2006
- 21,562
- 3
- 0
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Originally posted by: Atheus
Most of the comments in this thread are totally alien to me as an European... soccer is boring, soccer is not manly, soccer is slow, soccer is EASY to play? Easier than baseball? LOL! I assure you none of these views are held elsewhere in the world. Football (that's soccer) is the sport, the only sport, most places in the world - not only Europe, but South and Central America, Africa, Russia, and many parts of Asia. How can you say it's not manly? Rugby and American football are the rich man's games, football is every man's game - it can be played with only a ball and a couple of trees.
I assure you, you are quite wrong. There is no atmosphere like that of a European football game. There are drums in the crowd. Flares and fireworks, 50 foot flags, 100 000 people singing the same song, fights, tears, excitement...
/Edit: Also, I think Ronaldo is a pussy and a tosser, and I hope he goes and play in America and becomes a washout.
Finally, some sense. The problem with America and football (i.e. "soccer") is that from what I have seen of the MLS it is pretty poor, and the last couple of World Cups haven't been too exciting. I can see why football (still "soccer") can appear boring... sure you get some absolute turds of games, but to say it is all boring is simply naive, as anyone who follows the English Premiership and Champions League will tell you.
Anyone saying soccer is easy to play:
1. Hasn't played it competitively.
2. Is a toolbag.
Soccer is great. Americans don't like Soccer because it wasn't one of our traditional sports. There's a market for it, however. A lot more kids play it than Hockey...
1. Hasn't played it competitively.
2. Is a toolbag.
Soccer is great. Americans don't like Soccer because it wasn't one of our traditional sports. There's a market for it, however. A lot more kids play it than Hockey...
GagHalfrunt
Lifer
- Apr 19, 2001
- 25,284
- 1,996
- 126
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Lovely speech. You might have been able to sell that BS before we were forced to watch the World Cup. Once that travesty hit the air the secret was out. The ONLY skill necessary to compete in soccer at the highest level is the ability to fall down and cry like a little girl in a believable manner. Every world cup game was decided by flopping and even the most ardent soccer fans admitted that. France fans were actually whining that Italy got away with more fake flops than they did and that's why Italy won.
I don't understand the idea that soccer requires less skill. For the other sports in question, your hands are already fairly adept because they're far more innervated and they're used for fine motor tasks every day of your life. Think about how much you have to practice using your feet to get the touch and ball control that world class soccer players have. There's a tremendous amount of skill involved in playing a game where you can't use your hands. That isn't exactly as natural as running and jumping and catching and throwing.
In fact, it seems to me you can go pretty far in basketball and certain positions in football on mostly raw athleticism, with less "skill" than you can in soccer or baseball.
In fact, it seems to me you can go pretty far in basketball and certain positions in football on mostly raw athleticism, with less "skill" than you can in soccer or baseball.
Originally posted by: Atheus
Most of the comments in this thread are totally alien to me as an European... soccer is boring, soccer is not manly, soccer is slow, soccer is EASY to play? Easier than baseball? LOL! I assure you none of these views are held elsewhere in the world. Football (that's soccer) is the sport, the only sport, most places in the world - not only Europe, but South and Central America, Africa, Russia, and many parts of Asia. How can you say it's not manly? Rugby and American football are the rich man's games, football is every man's game - it can be played with only a ball and a couple of trees.
I assure you, you are quite wrong. There is no atmosphere like that of a European football game. There are drums in the crowd. Flares and fireworks, 50 foot flags, 100 000 people singing the same song, fights, tears, excitement...
/Edit: Also, I think Ronaldo is a pussy and a tosser, and I hope he goes and play in America and becomes a washout.
of course a bunch of poor non-american socialists that play soccer since they were kids because all it takes was a field and a ball, they will grow up to be rabid soccer fans...
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
Exactly, Soccer is about a thousand times manlier. WHO ELSE HITS THEIR HEAD AGAINST THE BALL FTW?(ON PURPOSE)
The MLS isn't setup well enough currently to get any attention. The problem is that the Americans who watch European soccer are thoroughly uninterested in the MLS. They have ridiculous salary caps, a single-entity league setup, and rules in place that restrict international players. They need to just make it exactly like international soccer except in America, and then it will be good.
I think you're oversimplifying the action of kicking a ball. It's a lot harder than you think it is, especially since it's round. It's incredibly difficult to make something round go where you want it to, not least because it's even more difficult to actually make something round.
I think you're oversimplifying the action of kicking a ball. It's a lot harder than you think it is, especially since it's round. It's incredibly difficult to make something round go where you want it to, not least because it's even more difficult to actually make something round.
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
That's amongst the stupidest things I've ever heard. Any bunch of idiots can hit a ball with a bat or throw it through a hoop just like they can kick one about a field. Do you really think its that hard to play a crappy amateur game of baseball?
Originally posted by: rikadik
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
That's amongst the stupidest things I've ever heard. Any bunch of idiots can hit a ball with a bat or throw it through a hoop just like they can kick one about a field. Do you really think its that hard to play a crappy amateur game of baseball?
i'm talking about degree of difficulty :roll: my sister can't dribble the ball for the life of her, but she sure can run around and kick a huge ass round ball...
Being able to dribble in "soccer" is about as fundamental as picking up the bat in baseball. Kicking a huge ass round ball is as much playing soccer as throwing a ball is playing baseball. In any case, just because the game is more accessible at an amateur level doesn't make it less skillful as a whole or at a professional level, which is what you were originally saying.
I've seen plenty of people that could be classified as "soccer noobs" that take a swing at the ball and miss. Not because they're uncoordinated or anything like that, rather, because striking a moving ball that isn't coming from straight ahead is a bit different than striking a ball that is stationary or coming towards you. If you want to up the degree of difficulty in soccer, play as a goalkeeper. That's not an easy position to play at all.
-Tom
irishScott
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2006
- 21,562
- 3
- 0
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
Uh, I wouldn't define playing soccer as kicking a ball around on a field. If I go out with a few guys and toss a football around with enzones and no set plays, am I playing football? Also, It is very rare that a noob at soccer will make his first goal against any decent keeper (unless we're talking kids leagues where there is no keeper) . In most cases he will either miss the goal or the ball entirely.
Fingolfin269
Lifer
- Feb 28, 2003
- 17,948
- 31
- 91
I enjoy hockey more than soccer because at least they knock the hell out of each other during the course of the match. I will say that I liked the World Cup a lot more than I thought I would. I only wish our team didn't suck because I find it impossible to root for other countries in any event.
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
Uh, I wouldn't define playing soccer as kicking a ball around on a field. If I go out with a few guys and toss a football around with enzones and no set plays, am I playing football? Also, It is very rare that a noob at soccer will make his first goal against any decent keeper (unless we're talking kids leagues where there is no keeper) . In most cases he will either miss the goal or the ball entirely.
degree of difficulty (IMO) of basics:
hitting a baseball > throwing a football > shooting a basketball > kicking a soccer ball > throwing a baseball
The fact that you think the term 'non-american' is somehow an insult, or is connected with being poor, tells me a lot about you. The fact that you would flaunt your supposed wealth and claim that it makes you better than other people tells me even more.
And I fail to see what socialism has to do with this.
The fact that most of the soccer fans in the US are skinny, dweeby, non-athletic Eur0-trash dorks doesn't help matters, either. They like it because it's not mainstream. They dislike the mainstream because they cannot compete.
The soccer athletes over there are manly, sure. But throw these skinny dorks on a soccer field and make them compete against REAL MEN on the soccer field, and the dorks will have found yet another sport which they don't like.
The soccer athletes over there are manly, sure. But throw these skinny dorks on a soccer field and make them compete against REAL MEN on the soccer field, and the dorks will have found yet another sport which they don't like.
irishScott
Lifer
- Oct 10, 2006
- 21,562
- 3
- 0
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
Originally posted by: JS80
Originally posted by: irishScott
A lot of people view soccer as a less-manlier sport (compared to football/baseball/basketball) that requires less skill. Anyone's who played it knows they're obviously wrong but that's the stereotype. Another stereotype is that it's European (and it is to a large degree), and given our current cold-sholder political policy to most of Europe, the association doesn't help much. DC United's not bad though, and the only team NOT to lose to Italy in the last world cup was the US
soccer is waaaay easier compared to baseball, basketball and football...
Come run, pass, tackle and out wit another 11 people with me on the field for a solid hour and a half, then at the end, in between gasps for breath, repeat that statement.
by easy i meant anyone can run on the field without experience and play. baseball you need hand-eye coordination and ability to throw the ball accurately. not anyone can just play basketball - i truly believe some people are born to play, and some cannot for the life of them play coherently even with years of play. football - obvious.
Crap. If you have never played, get on the field with 21 other people who have played since they were 3 and you're going to feel a solid-gold tool. You won't even see any time on the ball, if you do it will just bounce off your feet to be stolen right off you.
Nevertheless, learning curve is not as steep as the big 3.
I've played soccer for 13 years (and I'm 19). Let me give you some practical examples:
Offensive/foot technique: This takes years to develope and deploy effectivly. The foot fakes, how to place the ball, how to kick the ball, adapting to the terrain of the field your playing on, etc. To be an effective foreward, you have to learn how to monitor the position of every player in your surroundings, fake out defenders, pass to your teammates if possible/practical, know how the ball is moving at your feet, compensate for the terrain (little lumps in the field that can deflect the ball if your playing outdoors), and when it comes time to score, every degree of angle and every ownce of force you put on the ball will drastically effect its motion. Idealy you want it to be either low and fast, or high in the corner, and in all cases AWAY from the keeper. Try this when your approaching from the side of the goal (which is the case about 75% of the time in my experience), and the aiming becomes next to impossible. At this point you have to center the ball to a friendly player who is more often than not in motion attempting to evade your opponents defense and get in a good position. This can include having said friendly head the ball, which is EXTREMELY difficult to set up on your part.
Not to mention communication and execution of strategies such as give and go.
Also, you have to do all of the above ALMOST INSTINCTIVLY, acting in a split second every time. There is NEVER a gurranteed shot.
Defensive Technique: The goal of a defender is to contain until such a point as the ball can be cleared, in the best case to a teammate, in the worst case out of bounds. The same technique above is required, but there is a greater emphasis on anticipating your oppoenents actions and getting the ball. You also have to learn how to effectivly slide tackle (extremely difficult to employ without getting a foul) how to bicycle kick (extremely hard to perform effectivly), and you also have to coordinate with your teammates at all available times.
If your a midfielder, you have to do all of the above.
In short, there is an EXTREME learning curve for soccer. The foot skills and split second stratedgy required can only be learned through experience. There are no plays that can be memorized save for simple conceptuals, which must be customized for every situation. This takes years to develop. In basketball one person can drive in and score while the others encumber the defense. In soccer, the offense is often outnumbered when on their oppoenents fend of the field and this is almost impossible (though the general concept is applied)
And that's why if you go to a soccer practice, only the last hour or so will be a scrimage.
Gad dam you guys aren't getting what I'm saying:
Soccer: a noob can get on the field and you can just start playing. ball here, then kick.
Basketball: a noob getting on a bball court probably won't be able to make a shot, unless he's born with natural "it" talent.
Baseball: a noob probably will not be able to hit the ball in his first tries.
football: [insert here]
any sport takes years of practice to get good. i am just saying any group of people can get on a field and kick the ball around. you cannot do that with other sports.
Uh, I wouldn't define playing soccer as kicking a ball around on a field. If I go out with a few guys and toss a football around with enzones and no set plays, am I playing football? Also, It is very rare that a noob at soccer will make his first goal against any decent keeper (unless we're talking kids leagues where there is no keeper) . In most cases he will either miss the goal or the ball entirely.
degree of difficulty (IMO) of basics:
hitting a baseball > throwing a football > shooting a basketball > kicking a soccer ball > throwing a baseball
The difficulty of hitting a baseball depends on the pitcher as well as the batter. I've played cheap-ass baseball before and hit the ball plenty of times.
I actually have a football in my dorm. I just picked it up and "threw" (being defined as exerting a force on the ball causing it to move through the air) it across my room. It had no spiral, but it was fairly accurate. I have only played football about 6 times in my life.
Shooting a basketball accurately is extremely difficult. IMO it should be at the top of the list. Even when I played in my church league I hardly ever scored even with a clear shot (yeah I sucked :embarrased
.Kicking a soccer ball is easy. Kicking it effectivly is not. I've seen many a noob (person who has practically never kicked a soccer ball) in a pick-up game attempt to pass it accurately and it go in an entirely different direction than intended. I'm assuming you've never kicked a soccer ball. If so, get one and attempt to hit an equivitantly sized object 15 feet away your first time. Now try to hit a moving object 15 feet away (to simulate passing). I think you'll be suprised at the difficulty. Then try scoring on a decent keeper
Once again, throwing a baseball is easy. Throwing it effectivly is not. [Insert pitching technique example here]
I'm not saying soccer is the hardest sport out there, but its far more difficult than you realize Dribbling the entire length of the field without losing control of the ball is considered a basic. Kicking and passing accurately over a moderate distance is considered a basic. Knowing when and how to keep your positionits (withing reason) is considered a basic.
My personal "basics difficulty" list would go as follows:
Basketball > Soccer > baseball > football
When we get to the actual sports and the technique they require on a higher level, I think they all even out in terms of difficulty.
soccer is fun to play or watch at an amateur level. once you get the best of the best on the field, it becomes such a dumb game.
first of all, most of the goals are scored on penalty kicks and random headers from a big clusterfvck near the goal. the entire rest of the game is not only boring, but frustrating, since the only exciting moments are quickly ended by an offside call.
secondly, any time there is the slightest physical contact, both "men" fall on the ground crying. and that's a CRUCIAL part of the game, since it's how you get penalty kicks and also how you get people carded. players have to sell the foul in basketball too, but they don't need to cry and they don't get 100 points for a foul shot.
finally, because of the aforementioned silliness, at the end of the game, you have no clue who the better team was. this is why noone cares about soccer.
first of all, most of the goals are scored on penalty kicks and random headers from a big clusterfvck near the goal. the entire rest of the game is not only boring, but frustrating, since the only exciting moments are quickly ended by an offside call.
secondly, any time there is the slightest physical contact, both "men" fall on the ground crying. and that's a CRUCIAL part of the game, since it's how you get penalty kicks and also how you get people carded. players have to sell the foul in basketball too, but they don't need to cry and they don't get 100 points for a foul shot.
finally, because of the aforementioned silliness, at the end of the game, you have no clue who the better team was. this is why noone cares about soccer.
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