herzog- 'real football'- how often does your so-ca: rate the comment

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sports : WHY DON'T AMERICANS UNDERSTAND FOOTBALL ('SOCCER')?

[+] ballot by jd_30
created Mon Jun 12, 06

As an englishman obviously I'm totally glued to the world cup right now, so when I come online and see Americans saying they just don't understand the appeal of football, I find it incredibly frustrating. Personally I think American society is just too isolated from the rest of the world and older Americans aren't open-minded enough. I think this is proven by the relative success 'soccer' has had in appealing to younger people in America.

What annoys me the most is the way people say it is just running around a field chasing a ball. It is so much more than that. Watching a football game is about predicting the tactics, seeing where the ball is going to go next, observing the skill of the players as they tackle for the ball. It's also about enjoying the confrontation between the players and referees, deciding whether the referee made the right decision. But most of all its about the spectacle of the game, the perfectly executed set-pieces, the outstanding skill of a player kicking the ball on target from half a field away. It's also about willing for your team to win, praying for the ball to go in the back of the net.

Anyway, *cough* , why do you think Americans don't understand the appeal of football? Is it a problem with the game? Is it not compatible with what is considered a fun sport in America? Is it due to America's isolationism or Americans not being open-minded? Is it simply because the USA never wins in football matches and everyone likes games where their team wins?

Older Americans not open minded

The game is too boring

The game is too violent

Patriotism - Americans prefer American sports

The USA is not good enough at the sport

Americans have their own "football"

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herzog- 'real football'- how often does your so-called real footballers use their feet on the ball when compared to fake football ('soccer')? :)

entered by : Socrates
Submitted on : Jun 12,2006 11:35:22 pm

COMMENTS

soccer is hugely popular in the united states. i think you're right about the older generation but its really a popular sports when you're in school. i played it and all my brothers did and one still does. personally i think its awesome.

by Kev24 on Mon Jun 12, 06 8:37pm [+]

I think it just isn't very fun.

We don't rip on you guys for not seeing the appeal of football (real football) or baseball, or basketball.

by herzog on Mon Jun 12, 06 8:37pm [+]

We have our own game of "football" that hardly ever involves feet, that people are more interested in.

by Psycho_Frighead on Mon Jun 12, 06 9:00pm [+]

'real football'

Herzog, stop talking crap. Our (real) football was played and documented in England, many years before your relatives stole America off the natives. :o)

American (hybrid) football as you know it didn't exist till the 1800's.

by InternalColonel on Mon Jun 12, 06 9:32pm [+]

It doesn't have anything to do with isolationism or not being open minded. We compete and do extremely well in the olympics and other international sporting events,so isolationism isn't the answer. I have to say that I find it amusing that it fustrates or puzzles people in other countries as to why the US isn't that interested. When or if the day comes that the US developes a passion for football, I have no doubt the US team could be very dominating. Then I bet the rest of the world wished for the time that the US had no interest.

by mindy on Mon Jun 12, 06 9:43pm [+]

by InternalColonel on Mon Jun 12, 06 9:45pm [+]

herzog- 'real football'- how often does your so-called real footballers use their feet on the ball when compared to fake football ('soccer')? :)

by Socrates on Mon Jun 12, 06 11:35pm [+]

jd_30, did you grow up with football?

by Applerod on Tue Jun 13, 06 2:03am [+]

..I'm not wild about football--though I haven't watched or played it in a long time. My favorite sport is american football.
-I'll probably catch some flak for this, but I believe it is the sport that allows for the most advanced degree of long-term strategy. One of the main reasons for this is because it is not "continuous," which allows for periods of time to have the team form a unique position each down and plan/carry out very strategic (and/or well-scripted) plays, be they offensive or defensive. I find it to be a little like chess; violent chess.

Yes, the pomp and circumstance can be fairly ridiculous sometimes, but I did grow up with it--and during a time when my team was the best in the league for about 10 years.
The only thing that can top that is co-ed rugby. I used to play that in school -- so frickin cool.

by Applerod on Tue Jun 13, 06 2:25am [+]

"... I believe it is the sport that allows for the most advanced degree of long-term strategy. One of the main reasons for this is because it is not "continuous," which allows for periods of time to have the team form a unique position each down and plan/carry out very strategic (and/or well-scripted) plays, be they offensive or defensive. I find it to be a little like chess; violent chess"

Sounds like Rugby Leage, Applerod :-)

by Antiseptic on Tue Jun 13, 06 3:33am [+]

Yes Mindy, whatever Mindy.

Appleod your description of american football is what i dislike about it. stoping all the time just frustrates me. That and all that body armour.

by mobsie666 on Tue Jun 13, 06 8:03am [+]

^Ya whatever, that's exactly the way I feel about all these "why don't Amercans like football ballots?" whatever.

by mindy on Tue Jun 13, 06 8:19am [+]

^ why comment then? Especially with, well if we play we'll beat you. You wouldn't. not a hope in hell.

by mobsie666 on Tue Jun 13, 06 8:55am [+]

Oddly enough it's seen as more or less of a kid's sport in the US.

by nuckinfutz on Tue Jun 13, 06 8:59am [+]

Basketball, hockey, soccer... I'm just indifferent to it, that's all.

by _Beelzebubba on Tue Jun 13, 06 9:30am [+]

when you sit there for an hour not seeing one goal, it's just boring. Same with Hockey. They should make the goal a little wider, if there was a goal at least every 10 minute, it should be more exciting and should become more popular.

meanwhile, Zzzzzz....

by LCD on Tue Jun 13, 06 1:06pm [+]

Refer to my earlier comment in ballot #95741.

by Truthseeker013 on Tue Jun 13, 06 1:41pm [+]

Mindy dont be so bitter. And dont assume that if the US took more interest they would be THE dominating force. Im sure if they did Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, England France and some of the other top teams would still run circles round them. The point is "toots", enough Americans are into football already to make it a DOMINATING force as you put it ..but it still isnt..SIMPLE.

by Brit_Airborne on Tue Jun 13, 06 4:40pm [+]

also.........

^Ya whatever, that's exactly the way I feel about all these "why don't Amercans like football ballots?" whatever.
by mindy on Jun 13, 2006 8:19am

Well then the answer is simple...dont comment or vote on them. SIMPLE. Whatever is supposed to imply "dont care/ give a fuck" right.....then in that case why in the hell would you comment..because all that does is blattantly show you been wound up by it.

by Brit_Airborne on Tue Jun 13, 06 4:45pm [+]

Jesus christ wounded by what??? I don't like football. I'd rather watch the grass grow. If I want to make a comment I will. The only reason I said something was because I was getting a chuckle out of all the Brits comming on here with their "why don't Americans like football" ballots, whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy oh whyyyyyyyyyyyyyy don't you like it. Good grief you'd think it was the only sport in the world. Tell me where did I say the US would be THE dominating force? I said the United States COULD be a dominating force,big difference. What's the problem with that. We're competitive and have a huge population to pull from. That's not an unreasonble assumption. It doesn't matter to me who wins, I won't be watching even if the US does win it someday.

by mindy on Tue Jun 13, 06 8:47pm [+]

Mindy hey im not having a go toots but you need to stop gettin all huffy and puffy at British people. Not nice is it when people make assumptions about your nation as a whole. You go on about brit moaning based on maybe one or two people on this site. Im not one of them. I dont give a shit really i love my country i LOVE Britain i think its GREAT because itsMY homland same way as you get all defensive about eh US. Its human nature to defend what you love (unless your French). Lets agree to disagree yeah?? I like Americans..and im sure most Americans like most Brits too

by Brit_Airborne on Wed Jun 14, 06 3:07pm [+]

It's low scoring and tedious.

Who wants to watch a ball being kicked back and forth for 3 hours and score ends 2 to 1.

Also there is NO STRATEGY! So there is nothing to keep the mind engaged during the endless back and forth.

In American we have similar game as children, it's called Kick The Can. Not much different than "football".

by Grapost on Tue Jun 20, 06 5:45am [+]

^^^^ This is true. I support the England football team purely because its England..but Rugby is my fave sport...American football without all the stopping and padding..BOOOORING.

by Brit_Airborne on Thu Jun 22, 06 6:07am [+]

Yeah! Go Brit_Airborne..GO!! I couldn't give a shit whether America or any other country wasn't interested in football..unless there was no one else to play with. :(

by Kishkumen on Mon Jun 26, 06 11:04am [+]

Soccer will eventually catch on in the US,as the Hispanic population grows it will inevitably become bigger. As a foreigner living in the States, half the people i speak to think it is boring, in the main it seems because a goal is only worth one point. As if making a goal worth ten points would make it more exciting. Another reason it doesn't catch on is the fact that Americans generally have an extremely low concentration level, a break for adverts is essential, and stopping a live game every few minutes would be ridiculous. Also soccer is a bit complicated for them, have you noticed how all their games are filched and then simplified. American Football, watered down rugby, Baseball again a watered down cricket, basketball a slight variation on netball.

by Guest User from [71.94.1.191] on Sun Aug 05, 07 4:38pm [+]