Category: Soccer

Introduction

This paper entails issues as it appertains to soccer. The coverage of the history of this game which is also popularly known as soccer is quite diverse and different ideas have been put across as to where the game originated and its evolution to the current state.

Origin and history

Soccer in America is a relatively new game when compared to other sports. Its popularity is not as in other parts of the world due to many historical factors. Other games dominate the sporting scene and only recently have there been efforts to popularize this sport among American citizens.

Different countries in the world treat soccer differently and as it turned out, it’s difficult to get one standard view on soccer or its future. Everyone who has heard about the game or who knows much about it has a personal opinion on soccer.

History holds it that many cultures played games that resembled soccer but the first format of what evolved to the modern soccer game goes way back to 3000 years ago in Japan. In Japan, a game in which a ball was kicked around a pitch, though a very small one, can be followed back to 1004 B.C. This is got from texts from way back in 50B.C that describe games played between teams from China and those from Japan. The Chinese used a leather ball that was puffed with hair and the same text explains that a soccer game between China and Japan was played in the capital of Japan in 611A.D.

The Romans also played a game that resembled soccer, though a very rough version, in the early Olympics in Rome. In this game, more than half of the players were hospitalized after the matches. It is not known as to when the sport spread from Asia to Europe since historians focused on other issues like war and tended to ignore soccer and other sports.

Later during King Edward of England’s reign of 1307-1327, soccer was banned in England due to the amount of noise the crowds were making as they cheered their teams during the matches that were played in the streets. Laws were put in place for the imprisonment of anyone who would be found playing soccer. However, these laws could not stop the fan’s love for soccer and as a result, they were sanctioned in 1681.

The modern soccer version was created from rugby and rules that governed it also followed those that governed rugby.

Soccer in America dates back to the year 1620 where native Indians used to play a game similar to soccer which they called “Pasuckquakkohwog”. This is according to Pilgrim Fathers who first settled in Portsmouth.

By the year 1820 many colleges in America were playing soccer but no intercollegiate games went on as the rules changed often.

In 1880 British immigrants brought along their soccer teams to America and other parts of the world. They played their games with a lot of enthusiasm thus making the game even more popular among Native Americans.

In 1884, in Newark, the American Football Association was established. And in 1886 it organized the first international game outside British rule, between America and Canada.

The first FIFA world cup

In 1904 Federation Internationale de Football (FIFA) was formed by charter members to oversee the running of soccer in the world and on August 15 1913 the United States Football Association joined FIFA as an associate member.

The first FIFA world cup was played in 1930 and it continued to be held every five years up to date. This first world cup had only thirteen teams participating and ninety thousand football fans watching. The American team which was the highest-ranked to win the cup came third overall as Argentina clinched the cup.

The modern version of soccer

The British are the makers of modern soccer by creating the rules and commercializing the sport in the world. Their league turned out to be the most well organized and popular in the world due to the participation of foreign players in the teams.

The modern version of soccer was introduced to America from Britain by the early from Britain immigrants. Britain being the country that colonized America was not very popular among the Americans at the time and thus anything that was thought to have originated in Britain was also despised. To show that they were free of British rule, Americans, therefore put soccer off. Other games may be quite popular in America yet had been imported from Britain, for example, baseball which was created to be played by children and not adults in Britain, but popularized by the Americans at the time as a way of expressing their uniqueness from the British.

Traditional American “jocks” use soccer hating as their favorite pastime activity. Soccer has been unpopularised in America by anti soccer websites which are financed by other game coaches thus discouraging the youth in America from playing football. They use defaming terms “like soccer is communist”.

Again, America is not known for producing world renowned football players and thus its popularity fails. In continents like Europe and Africa very good players are produced who make a living from playing soccer especially in European clubs. The lack of professional players from America lies in the fact that Americans prefer other sports in which they only need to learn a single skill and become good over soccer where they have to be athletic and still master the skills of the game. Another factor is that Americans prefer high-scoring sports over soccer which is low scoring. The early soccer organizations in America were corrupt and the many scandals that befell soccer then made people view it as a sport that had no future in America thus focusing on other more organized sports.

The media in America gives soccer very little coverage to a level of 2-1 to other sports like baseball and basketball. Also, America is made up of immigrants with different origins who don’t have a sport that unifies them. Soccer seasons take the whole year and thus people figure it as being boring to participate in and opt for other short-season games.

In other countries like Italy and Brazil soccer is very popular and a way of life to them. Soccer in these nations is treated as a matter of life and death. People who take part in playing or in the running of soccer in such nations make good business from their activities. Popular players are usually treated as the countries heroes and run down the countries history books.

The future of soccer looks very promising the world over. Even in countries where soccer is not very popular as in America, efforts are being put in place to popularize the sport. Currently, soccer is ranked as the second most popular sport in America, which is a very good picture. Africa is also catching up with the rest of the world by producing quality players and organizing continental and subcontinental soccer competitions. The evolution of soccer is continuing with the current inclusion of modern technology in refereeing and the creation of new soccer rules by FIFA.

Soccer becomes more and more popular nowadays all over the world. First of all, it is closely connected with the process of commercialization of sports, and huge amounts are invested into the teams, stadiums, players, etc.

Soccer (or football as it is called in the continent of its origin) is considered to be the most popular sport all over the world; in South America, Brasilia, France, U.K people play football, attend football matches, watch matches on TV and discuss them with friends and read updated football news. The matches between elite football groups magnetize millions of people. For example, the capacity of Salt Lake Stadium in India is 120,000 people, and of Beaver Stadium in U.S.A – 107,282 people. In World Championship the stadiums are often filled up to the throat and lots of people can not cope to get tickets for the matches.

Soccer’s popularity

Football attractiveness often directs to rivalry, which occasionally enhances into hooliganism. Battles between fans of different teams generally occur after football games. Sometimes football rivalry outlines in tragedy in arenas. At the mass brawl in May 2007, hundred Liverpool followers fought each other in Athens, expecting to get a ticket for the match this way. Another disastrous occasion took place at the Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, and resulted in the death of 96 people. The exceptional incursion of fans through a narrow tunnel leading to the stadium has originated a major crush.

Football has always supported a foothold in the fans’ eagerness. Most of the biggest stadiums in the world are built especially for football, as it is enormously popular. One of the key notices in this sport is the football move gossips part. Raising consciousness of the aggression among football fans might help to decrease the risk of tragedies and save the lawfully owned reputation of the game.

Though soccer’s popularity is unquestionably due to the exploits of the national team, the J. League is also displaying signs of recuperation. This year’s watcher numerals are previously significantly above those evidenced. With the aperture of a chain of 40,000-capacity stadiums for use in the World Cup and the endorsement of accepted regional clubs like Urawa Reds and Consadole Sapporo to J. League Division One, even places that were once abandoned are now crowded with fans.

It is not soccer itself that is popular. The J. League is not droning with enthusiasm. Watchers just feel understanding for the national team battling with other states. Yet the J. League has constantly aimed to care for clubs with profound roots in their local societies rather than concentrating on teams’ national reputation.

References

Benson, M. English Loan Words in Russian Sports Terminology American Speech > Vol. 33, No. 4 (1958), pp. 252-259.

Carroll S.. The Disempowerment of the Gender Gap: Soccer Moms and the 1996 Elections PS: Political Science and Politics > Vol. 32, No. 1 (1999), pp. 7-11.

Dyte. D.; Clarke R. A Ratings Based Poisson Model for World Cup Soccer Simulation The Journal of the Operational Research Society > Vol. 51, No. 8 (2000), pp. 993-998.

Edelman, R. A Small Way of Saying “No”: Moscow Working Men, Spartak Soccer, and the Communist Party, 1900-1945. The American Historical Review > Vol. 107, No. 5 (2002), pp. 1441-1474.

Giulianotti, R. Soccer Goes Glocal Foreign Policy > No. 131 (2002), pp. 82-83.

Kaulard L. The Transatlantic Soccer Bridge: How to Get a Kick out of Soccer and… German! Die Unterrichtspraxis / Teaching German > Vol. 37, No. 1 (2004), pp. 56-57.

Kinloch, G. Changing Racial Attitudes in Zimbabwe: Colonial/Post-Colonial Dynamics Journal of Black Studies > Vol. 34, No. 2 (2003), pp. 250-271.

Koning, R. Balance in Competition in Dutch Soccer The Statistician > Vol. 49, No. 3 (2000), pp. 419-431.

Roadburg, A. Factors Precipitating Fan Violence: A Comparison of Professional Soccer in Britain and North America The British Journal of Sociology > Vol. 31, No. 2 (1980), pp. 265-276.

Stevenson, T. Football in Newly United Yemen: Rituals of Equity, Identity, and State Formation Journal of Anthropological Research > Vol. 56, No. 4 (2000), pp. 453-475.

There is no use denying the fact that sport has always been an integral part of human society. Since ancient times, people have devoted great attention to games with a competitive nature and develop various skills of participants. Being part of physical culture, with the development of society sport has become a very important sphere of human activity. Nowadays, it is not just a phenomenon which satisfies the needs of people and entertains them. It is the part of social life that spreads its influence on many layers of society. Besides, the more adherers a certain kind of sport has, the more influential it becomes. With this in mind, it is possible to say that is the most popular game nowadays, soccer can be taken as a unique phenomenon in the world of sport.

Thus, the rise of the popularity of this kind of sport can be connected with its blistering development. It is a well-known fact that soccer, as a kind of sport, appeared in England. However, it should be noted that games with a ball were popular in a great number of different countries all over the world, starting from China and ending with Greece. However, in England people created the first main rules which helped this game to obtain its well-known image.

Students of Cambridge and Oxford managed to create the main regulations and rules which later became accepted by all teams which played this game. Additionally, in 1885 soccer was accepted as a professional kind of sport (History of Soccer, n.d.). Since that time the blistering development of this kind of sport and the rise of its popularity has started. There were about 70 teams in England which played with each other. Moreover, the first international game between England and Scotland also promoted the development of this kind of sport. Being excited by the visual appeal of this kind of sport, people wanted to play soccer because It was rather easy to do as some special equipment except the ball was not needed.

As a consequence of all these events, nowadays soccer is the most popular sport which is played in all countries of the world. Traditionally, England was considered to be the place where this game had the greatest number of fans. However, nowadays, things are changed. There are many countries in which soccer is taken as a sort of religion and national teams are taken as the heroes of the nation. One of the brightest examples of such an attitude is Brazil.

Its national team is considered to be the strongest in the world and its football players have the marvelous skills that impress the whole world. Brazil is the five-time world champion and this result is not surpassed. Nevertheless, Pele, the best football player ever, was also born in Brazil.

With this in mind, it is possible to say that soccer is the most popular kind of sport in the world which has its unique history. Europeans and people who live in South America consider it to be a sort of religion, while in other countries it is less popular, though it continues its development. The most well known and strongest clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona promote this increase, playing in different parts of the world. Moreover, it should also be said that the word soccer is not so widely used as the term football, which is used in the majority of countries that are taken as great admirers of this game (A Football History: from its origin to now, n.d.).

References

A Football History: from its origin to now. (n.d.). Web.

History of Soccer. (n.d.). Web.

Soccer can be defined as a game or an activity for leisure. It involves winning or losing and. It also entails cooperation and competition. To play soccer, a ball is needed. A field, an opponent, and goals across each other are also necessary. When some soccer rules are used with the game being kept fair, it becomes a very enjoyable game to play and watch. Soccer involves team building as it involves two teams and, there must be a referee to ensure that the game is fair.

Soccer can be said to be a very democratic game that has been discovered. The rules involved are well understood and, at all levels, they remain the same. Those who play it for leisure use the same rules as professional players. The game has become popular because its rules are very simple to understand. They are not as complicated as the rules of other games. This means that all people with any level of skill can handle the rules, unlike in a game like tennis, where the rules need time to understand. Another thing that makes it popular is that the size of the player in terms of height, weight, or any other physical feature does not matter. But the most important reason why it is popular is the fans. The connection of the fans with the clubs they follow. This is because the emotional engagement the fans feel to their clubs makes the game not just a mere sport. The fans of soccer can be described as an organic movement since they are like a faith-based group of persons who come together to praise their heroes. The beauty of the game is winning, and if a team wins, the fans celebrate a lot but, when they lose, they complain.

The exposure of the media has made the sport more popular and, the clubs have gained sponsorships and contracts. The increasing number of fans has provided the basis of growth which is long-term. Today, soccer is the most played game among young people after basketball. Most of the adults, among them the parents, coaches, and players, are involved. The audience for soccer is established without spending a lot of money on the stars because; the youth already have their own stars and league they desire to play in. In the American culture, they see it as a natural thing to see soccer images in TV shows and commercials. This is clear that soccer is a game with a future and one with growth.

The influences of soccer could affect the demographic and economic factors, the culture of sport, television and internet growth and, professional leadership. Soccer really affects the mood of the day as it keeps the eyes of the viewers on the players. The fans are interested in the moves of the players and the scores. Since it is a leisure activity, people take their free time to watch the games so that they can cheer their clubs. It is very enjoyable because normally, the teams playing are opponents and the fans will cheer their teams to ensure that they win. At the end of every game, there must be a winner and a loser. Although in some games, ties might occur. When the game comes to an end, people will get something to talk about, and the results make them eager to watch the next game. This definitely affects the mood of the fans and players that day. The winners will be very happy and proud while, the losers will want to find out where they went wrong and lay strategies for the next games.

During soccer matches, hooliganism may occur depending on the cultural and political perspective. Violence could result due to the excess consumption of alcohol, tensions among the fans, and cultural rivalries, among others. However, soccer authorities have had campaigns against racism both at local and international levels. The supporters have engaged in self-governing policies to ensure that discipline is maintained during the games. The game has become a part of solving the problems in society since the fans have learned that it is not a live-or-die game. The racism or ethnic problems do not exist as people in the various clubs are from different backgrounds and races. The soccer authorities have put rules in place that will govern the behavior of the players during the game or on matters concerning the games. The teams are also a sign of unity, and any problems which might arise are solved from within.

Soccer brings all types of people together regardless of age, race, background, or nationality. It is a game which the youngsters and parents alike. It can act as a connection between parents and kids, and any gaps between them may be bridged when they have a common connection. The major clubs select their players regardless of the race since they choose the best. This creates a connection between the players, for they work as a team. It creates a favorable environment for them to be friends and understand each other. They are able to appreciate one another and also their backgrounds. Thus, this game is influential in society as it brings all kinds of people together. Since they share soccer as a common thing, a friendly environment is created, and any problems are solved with ease.

Soccer matches take place in fields with specific features like they have a specific radius, various areas are marked, and the players have their specific positions. The players in different clubs play in different fields. The opponents have to play in their home grounds and, other times, play away. This ensures that there is the interaction between the different teams and contacts are established among the players. The rules governing the game rule out any contact among the players when the game is on, and the ball should not be touched by the hand. However, this is practically impossible, and some contacts occur between the players. This is left for the referee to decide, and if he proves it as a rough game, he has the right to issue a warning. Soccer has given a profession to some individuals and also fame to the players. It is a career for some people, and it offers them a livelihood.

Soccer has grown to be one of the most influential games and one with long-term sustainable growth. The FIFA world cup has made it very famous, and the number of supporters of this game is increasing. It is a sport that influences the social, economic, demographic, and political aspects of the nations. It has given a career to people, and its popularity is increasing, especially with media advertisements. Soccer is a game that fits the whole family, and it creates a uniting feature for societies and nations.

Sports games and competitions have always been an integral part of human society. Since ancient times people entertained themselves competing with their friends or some other men. It is possible to say that the thirst to be better than the rest of people and to be the winner is in the nature of human being. That is why, a great number of different games and competitions were created. With the help of them athletes were able to show their power and strength. However, there are many absolutely different sports games in the world as they were created under the influence of peculiarities of culture of different nationalities.

Nowadays, there is a great number of different kinds of sports which are popular all over the world, however, there are still some games which can be called national as they are mainly played in some certain countries. Football and soccer are games of this sort. Being different at the first gaze, these kinds of sports, however, have a lot of common traits.

First of all, it should be said that both football and soccer are team games in which the cooperation between players is very important. There are eleven players in each team, both in football and soccer, that is why, it is obvious that they should work as a well oiled machine to achieve success. Importance of this aspect of these games can be proved by the fact that coaches devote much time trying to align the team play and understanding between players. Very often, newcomers look confused as they have not yet understand all the peculiarities of the style of their team. That is why, team play can be called one of the main similarities between these two games.

Moreover, being contact kinds of sports, both football and soccer demand an excellent physical form. Players spent the most of their free time in gyms, trying to keep their body in shape. Things have little changed since ancient times and nowadays faster, stronger and more powerful athletes usually become the winners in competitions. That is why, there are special diets and sets of exercises for sportsmen which take into account peculiarities of their bodies and positions on the field. Being very important aspect of these games, physical form is another similarity between football and soccer.

However, team play and excellent physical form are not the only factors which guarantee success in these sports. Coaches also play a great role in these games. Being responsible for the results, they do everything to win. Much also depends on tactics. Very often people can see how weaker team beats a stronger one just because of the right tactics. This aspect of the games is usually investigated by coaches. That is why, very often they are not less popular then some outstanding players as coaches have their own unique ideas about the tactics.

Having analyzed the main peculiarities of football and soccer, it is possible to come to certain conclusion. It should be said that at the first gaze these games seem absolutely different. However, there are some very important aspects of these kinds of sport which are peculiar for both football and soccer. Cooperation between players, physical form and tactics are the main common elements. Taking them into account, it is possible to understand that these games have common roots.

Introduction

A soccer game consists of two opposing teams of 11 players apiece. Each player in a team is been assigned a specific role. In the past, various soccer positions were largely static and defined (Beswick 160). Over time, however, soccer has evolved greatly and most of these roles have changed. This essay acts as a guide to the different positions of soccer players, and the roles that come with them. In addition, the essay will also examine the changing roles of a soccer player.

Role of various soccer players

The goalkeeper tries to ensure that the opposing team does not score. This position requires special training and skills. As a goalkeeper, you will often be called upon to organize or coordinate your defenders into position (Rhody 23). You are the last player on the field and as such, are at a vantage position to not only see how other players are organized in the field of play, but can actually predict the way the game is likely to develop. This is especially important during goal kicks, free kicks, and corner kicks (Luxbacher 2). The goalkeeper should protect the goal by kicking, catching, or punching the ball back into the field of play. He can also initiate the team’s attack. He is the only player on the field who is allowed to control the ball using his hands, but this can only happen within his team’s penalty box.

In front of the goalkeeper are the two centrebacks. Centrebacks are faced with the real challenge of stopping strikers of the opposing team from scoring from the center of the defensive line. After the goalkeeper, centrebacks cover the least distance in a soccer match. They are also hardly ever involved in the offense, save for when their team wins set pieces such as free kicks and corners (Luxbacher 3). Centrebacks must be focused, strong in the air, and good at tackling. More importantly, the centreback should be very good at reading the game.

Fullbacks play on either side of the defense, and hence the leftback and rightback positions. Fullbacks need to be very quick as they have to cover the flanks and at the same time, mark the opposing team’s forward or striker. Fullbacks contribute to the team’s offense by pushing up the flanks. This calls for good stamina and speed. In the past, full-backs always remained in their team’s defense area (Rhody 43). The only time when fullbacks would be allowed to enter the opposing side’s 18 yard box was when the team was either taking a free kick or corner. This role has somewhat changed in modern soccer as some can at times act as wingers when their team is attacking in the hope of stretching out the opposing team’s defense.

Central midfielders are the engine of the team. They function in both defense and attack. Central midfielders make a lot of runs and therefore, the position requires a lot of stamina. Besides holding possession and passing the ball forward, central midfielders also contest for the ball from the opposition in the hope of winning it back (Luxbacher 83). Some central midfielders have specialized in the role of defensive/holding midfielders, but this depends on the style of play of a team. Defensive midfielders play deep into the team’s backline, acting as a shield to the defense. This position is common with a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 position. Besides disrupting the opposition’s attacking moves, a defensive midfielder can also instigate an attack move by his team (Rhody 42).

An attacking midfielder, on the other hand, acts primarily as an offensive player. He occupies the position just behind the forward, and hence acts as a link between the forward and the central midfielder. Depending on how they are positioned on the field of play, an attacking midfielder can occupy the central, left, or right role. They provide key passes and through balls to the forward.

A new type of midfielder has also emerged in modern football in the form of a central winger or “False 10”. A central winger is allowed to drift wide when in possession of the ball. In this way, he helps the team’s fullbacks and wingers to overload the opposing team’s flanks.

Wide midfielders or wingers occupy either flank of the striker/forward. This position requires stamina and energy as you are at times called upon to provide defensive cover to your team’s fullbacks (Luxbacher 103). In addition, when the team is in the possession and has begun to attack, the winger is charged with the responsibility of creating chances for the team’s strikers.

Most teams encourage their wingers to play on the touchline while attacking as this gives them more options and greater space. Should the team lose possession to the opposition, wingers are required to tuck infield quickly. In this way, wingers work alongside central midfielders, thereby providing cover to the team’s defense. A winger must possess good technical skills, great pace, sound crossing ability, composure, and good passing ability.

Some teams also play with a center-forward of a ‘False 9’. Like a deep-lying striker, a False 9 should also possess good shooting and dribbling abilities. Also, he should have a good vision of the field of play in order to link up with the midfield when he drops deep (Rhody 40). This is an important tactic because should the opposing center backs follow him, they expose their defense line and enable onrushing forwards, midfielders or wingers to take advantage of the defensive lapse.

The key role of a striker is to score goals, although creating goals for other teammates is equally important. To do so, they need to get into the opposing side’s penalty box at least 90% of the time. A good striker should also be a good finisher. A good striker should possess excellent dribbling and ball control skills (Beswick 160). In addition, he needs to possess great accuracy and power while shooting to score. Most good strikers make up for their lack of pace with the good speed of thought. Others create chances for attacking midfielders or wingers to penetrate the opposition’s penalty box. They also apply pressure to the opposition in order to win back possession. These varied roles call for hard work, aggressiveness, sharpness, competitive attitude, resilience, power, and courage.

Conclusion

Soccer has undergone a major evolution and most of the traditional roles of soccer players have changed. In the past, roles were a bit more specialized for filed players than is the case today. For example, forwards were only expected to score goals and hence only stayed upfront. Nowadays, forwards also provide assists for attacking midfielders to score. Besides, forwards contribute to the team’s defensive role by trying to win back possession. On the other hand, defenders always stayed in their areas but today, they are involved in counter-attacks and set pieces.

Works Cited

Beswick, Bill. Focused to soccer, 2nd Ed., Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2010. Print.

Luxbacher, Joe. Soccer: Steps to success, Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2005. Print.

Luxbacher, Joe. Soccer: Steps to success, 4 E., Champaign, Illinois: Human Kinetics, 2013. Print.

Rhody, Ron. The Soccer Book: A Spectator’s Guide to How to Watch, Under, and Enjoy the Game. Walnut Creek, California: Academy Publishing, 2006. Print.

Introduction

Soccer is the name by which Americans refer to football and it has gained a level of popularity that on the average is less when compared to other countries. Lack of soccer popularity can be traced from historic events as well as the lifestyle of Americans. “American children grow up with the mentality that soccer is to be played for fun which is not an appropriate mentality to instill in children when they are expected to uphold the game. Americans have not also had a chance to familiarize themselves with soccer which makes them quite ignorant on its rules without which they cannot enjoy the game” George (2000 pp17-19).There are more reasons why soccer has not achieved popularity in America with some being related to the very nature of the game among them being less scoring and inflexibility of rules.

Unpopularity Based On Its Association to Fun

This situation varies with age of Americans where children find soccer to be very interesting and therefore hold the belief that it is very popular. This has been explained as due to rules set by elementary schools requiring children to engage in sports in order to observe their health. The children’s engagement in soccer is very different from the way American adults view soccer as they regard soccer as a game played for fun. During their free time, children flood the fields to play soccer which is encouraged by their parents at first but later, they do it out of the pleasure they derive from playing soccer. The parents borrow this trend from soccer organization of the youths in America which was formed in 1970s in order to popularize the game among American youths. They managed to convince a large population of American parents within the first few years of their operations. This engagement and commitment to soccer begins to change at around ten years when American children reduce their interest in the game. This happens to about eighty eight percent of those children who had already engaged themselves in soccer and they shift to other games like basketball, baseball, golf and hockey. The new sports are then dropped at a later stage and they switch to watching them on television. This practice of abandonment has been attributed to the belief strongly held by Americans that soccer is not for Americans but for communists whom they equally dislike. An American emphasized this by pointing out an issue where his gym teacher associated soccer with architects who made curtains from iron because he disliked movements that soccer players make. When asked the reason why he excluded soccer in his list of gym units he said that soccer was not as descent as other sports that are played using hands. “Soccer as well as other games where other body features rather than hands are used is classified in the category of crude games that should be played by Germans, Russians and other people who Americans regard as less worthy” Dave, Eggers (2006 p.1).

Unpopularity of Soccer Due To Originality and Faking

Soccer has become less popular among Americans due to its originality which is unacceptable to Americans. From the beginning, the taste of American sports have not been found to lean on soccer’s side which can be partly explained as due to lack of professional leagues in the game. Most professional leagues occurred in sports like basketball as well as baseball, which attracted American athletes most. More so, Americans are mostly found to highly regard things that they have invented themselves rather than what is introduced to them. This is because they believe that they are best in inventing than others which leads to commitment in the promotion of their own products. This follows that basketball as well as baseball are more popular among Americans primarily because they were conceived by them and have undergone much development in the country. It therefore occurs that Americans are interested in things from which they claim a share of credit and since it is not the case with soccer, they disregard it. Also, a high level of suspicion is associated with soccer due to its external originality where Americans argue that they fail to understand the intention behind its invention as well as its future. The historical period within which soccer has been part of American sports also contributes to its level of unpopularity. The teams supported by Americans were founded not so long ago as compared to teams with which they compete. Therefore much hope is lost when soccer players of American teams begin to compare themselves with teams like those from Europe which were formed a long time ago. This makes American fans to equally lose hope with their teams resulting to great unpopularity. Dave, Eggers (2006 p. 2).

Another obstacle is the manner in which soccer is played where so much faking is involved. Most Americans dislike the aspect of faking that is practiced so much by soccer players and those who control the game. This is different to the situation in games which are popular among Americans as they are played with much honesty and transparency. More so, the complicated nature of American games makes it difficult to incorporate much faking. For example, one cannot pretend to be hit by the ball while playing baseball and cannot also fake of having caught the ball. Americans refer to faking that is found in soccer as comprised of lying, cheating, acting as well as begging which makes it quite unappealing. The practicability nature of this faking has been found to be very disgusting because it happens openly where a long break is taken between an incidental contact and the decision to fake things. Soccer players mostly fake falls in order to attract attention and make unnecessary breaks between game sessions. Special cameras follow to capture the incident which in the first place was not genuine but faked. In case the referees controlling the game decide to give the player another chance and not penalize him/her, things change suddenly; the player who was some seconds ago dying in pain gains strength and rushes to hit the ball very hard. All these activities involved in faking falls and to some extent scores, make the game to go against principles held by Americans in their sports. Dave, Eggers (2006 p. 3).

Unpopularity Due To Less Scoring

The few scores made in soccer makes it less enjoyable to American fans who appreciate games that show progress in terms of appreciation of scores made. On the contrary, soccer can be played for a long time without having any of the teams scoring. Since attractiveness of American sports is normally dependent on the number of points scored, Americans find it quite boring to watch as well as play. Other than few points, soccer incorporates so much running and a soccer player can cover an approximate distance of five miles by the time a game is over. The most discouraging thing about this practice of running is that a player can run for a long time without making even a single score in an entire game. An average player gets to touch a soccer ball for about six minutes of the preferably nine minutes spent in a game. However, a soccer fan can sit for the whole period of ninety minutes without witnessing a single score which does not match the American sporting style. Scoring in soccer is also quite inflexible which is very unattractive to Americans. This is because Americans enjoy watching games with a high level of flexibility in the number of points scored and teams that appear on the top. This is not the case with soccer since the same players as well as teams stay in the lead for quite a long period of time while Americans enjoy sports with quick and significant changes which is the reason as to why they do not accept matches that end without any of the playing teams scoring. “The lack of popularity is also brought by the fewer amount of funds set aside to support the game compared to what is reserved for other games. Therefore, American athletes prefer to take part in those other games with better returns and only take soccer as their last option. However, the inefficient funding of soccer is not done because America lacks money to fund it, but because it is not given much priority as other American games. Otherwise if one was to argue on the issue about money, America has proved to the world that it can excel in almost everything when its get determined to” Mark, Hauser (2009, pp. 1-3).

The Level of Seriousness Attached To Soccer

Americans regard soccer with less seriousness than they regard other games contributing to soccer’s unpopularity among them. They take soccer as just another game to play while passing time and they therefore put less effort in excelling at it. Soccer players are therefore indulged in less training sessions and those that occur are done with less determination because even trainers do not insist on the importance of soccer to American players. Media is also found to contribute to unpopularity of soccer among Americans having in mind the influence that is normally provided by media in its presentation of sessions of other American games. Media disregards soccer because it leaves very little time for advertisements to be aired in between the game. Considering that media houses get large returns from advertisements and more so those aired in the middle of programs with a greater population of audience, they prefer showing American games with several breaks in between in order to give them a chance to air well paying advertisements. However, soccer fails to meet these requirements as takes long periods of forty five minutes before the first break is provided hence becoming unpopular to American media. Soccer is also found unattractive to American media due to the lesser number of audiences it attracts and media owners feel that there is less that can be gained from showing it compared to other American games. Other than less advertising opportunities, American fans enjoy replays while watching sports in order to feel the effect to what really happens in an important incident during the game like scoring or accident. Soccer provides fewer opportunities for replays to take place which is primarily because of the manner in which it flows. This results to fewer Americans watching it when shown on TV as compared to those watching other games with more instant replays. James, Robertson (2006 p. 1).

Unpopularity Due To Trend Followed and Talent Identification

The trend that soccer’s Major League otherwise known as M.L.S., follow happens to be very unappealing to Americans. This trend starts with recreational leagues where competition in soccer is taken more of a recreation with less professionalism incorporated in the events. After several competitions, a number of youths are selected depending on the level of competence they portray which makes up a team. The ability of team members is later revisited when they get to high school level and at college level making up the final soccer team. Most of the players participating in M.L.S. are made to understand that soccer should come after other learning activities are done with. Later in the course of schooling they consider soccer as fun rather than a competitive sport leaving American young people with no chance to appreciate the importance of soccer when growing up. Education takes the largest share of Americans attention at the time they are supposed to build their foundation in soccer making it unpopular to them even when they grow up. Stefan (2005, pp. 58-60).

Talent identification is closely related to lack of integration of soccer in the activities of American children as they grow up. As observed earlier, soccer talent is not identified in American children at the time when it is supposed to, that is as early as when children are in elementary school. Therefore so much time is wasted in fun directed soccer activities, which would otherwise be used to provide coaching to American children with distinct abilities in soccer. This makes American children lose grip to soccer talent which is later portrayed through its unpopularity among them because even those who choose to specialize in soccer do not perform as good as players of other games making them less motivated. Andrei (2001, pp. 34-36).

Unpopularity due to Inflexibility in Soccer Rules

Inflexibility is another reason as to why soccer has not gained much popularity in U.S. The rules followed by soccer players are normally complex and rigid, expecting players to strictly stick to them throughout the entire playing period. A high level of discipline is expected from soccer players which is different from the situation in other sports that are popular among Americans and significant changes have been made of them. Also, soccer rules are normally similar all over the world, portraying a high level of uniformity which is valued by organizations in charge of soccer. Therefore, it is quite hard for Americans to make considerable changes to the manner in which soccer is played since such an action would not be taken kindly by soccer organizations in the world who are also the inventors of soccer. The inventory nature of Americans discourages them from getting involved in activities that do not offer an opportunity for improvements like soccer. Inefficiency in talent is another limiting factor to Americans which makes it difficult to make adjustments in soccer rules thereby leaving it to Europeans and other countries that have registered great levels of soccer talent. Therefore, the low quality of soccer talent among Americans makes adjustments quite impossible making soccer unattractive in US. Inflexibility is also recognized in soccer games watched on televisions which do not give enough chances for the integration of various advertisements that would make watching more enjoyable. This is unlike the situation with most games that are mostly watched by Americans where a game that takes an hour can run for two additional hours with the extra time taken up by advertisements that are fixed in between the game. “Soccer games have less stoppage since it is normally played in terms of halves, which discourage advertising companies in US from investing in soccer. Therefore, since most of the space reserved for sports in American mass media is normally used on other sports, Americans are not given an equal chance to familiarize themselves with soccer rendering it less popular among them” Ned (2003, p. 44).

Unpopularity Due to Fighting Among Soccer Fans

The nature of soccer fans where a lot of fighting is experienced among them is quite unattractive to Americans making it unpopular in U.S. This situation was particularly common in the past where fighting could be witnessed in almost all soccer games. Hooligans made the largest population of soccer fans whose main intention of attending the match was to fight but not to enjoy the game. This is normally the opposite of the American sporting style where parents take their children to watch games and they would not risk taking them to watch games where fans fight. Soccer is also deficient in the kind of entertainment that would be appreciated by Americans having in mind that fighting after matches is what most soccer fans enjoy. Therefore, Americans find soccer less entertaining since they enjoy clapping and celebrating after several scores have been made in a peaceful manner which is not the case with soccer. Ned (2003, pp 45).

Conclusion

Evidence shows that Americans have gone too far in regarding soccer as less worthy which has made it very unpopular in America. The shorter period during which soccer has been in America is a main cause of its unpopularity as it was introduced after other countries had already become established in the game. Other sports that have been in America for a longer period dominate the sports arena leaving a minimal chance for soccer establishment hence its slow development in U.S. Attitude has also contributed to soccer unpopularity in US where Americans have a completely negative attitude towards ways in which soccer is played, the character of soccer fans as well as scored made. This negative attitude is transferred to children and they are therefore denied professional training in their earlier stages which results to generational unpopularity of soccer among Americans. has been found to involve so many inflexible rules which are not appealing to Americans as they are normally prefer flexible and adjustable sports. This runs from the high levels of administration in America to the lowest in individual soccer associations. Unfortunately, the levels of unpopularity have influenced the performance. of soccer players in America which has gone considerably low compared to that of other developed countries. Although it may take quite a lengthy period of time to correct the situation, efforts that would make soccer gain popularity can only be initiated by teachers of American children as well as parents as it is the case with Europe. This leads to early talent identification that would later result to very competent soccer players. Possession of soccer competency as well as success in the same game would work towards the improvement of unpopularity of soccer in US. Ronald, Collins (2007, pp.1-2).

References

1. Andrei, Markovits S. Soccer and American exceptionalism: Princeton University press, 2001, pp. 34-36
2. Dave, Eggers: American sports are played with hands. Web.
3. Dave E. The True Story of American Soccer, 2006, pp. 2-3
4. George, Kirsch B. Ethnicity and sports in the United States: Greenwood Publishing Group, 2000, pp. 17-19
5. James, Robertson: on soccer in the US, 2006, p.1
6. Mark Hauser: Americans do not excel at soccer (football) Bleacher report,2009 pp. 1-3
7. Ned, McIntosh. The baffled parent guide to coaching indoor youth soccer: McGraw-Hill Professional, 2003 pp. 46-48
8. Ronald Collins: Why soccer is not as popular in the US as elsewhere, 2007, pp. 1-2
9. Stefan Szymanski. National pastime: Brookings Institution Press, 2005, pp. 58-60

Intramural sports programs are characterized by a wide range of competitive and recreational leagues. Tournaments and other sports events for students are held regularly regardless of the level of skills of individual participants. Profit making is not the main purpose of these undertakings. On the contrary, the major objective is to foster sportsmanship, leadership, and educational skills among the participants. Soccer is an example of a game that can be hosted during such an event. A lot of planning is required to enhance the success of the tournament. Coming up with the fee to be paid and intramural shirts and uniforms requires planning. The same goes for the organization of games, recruitment of referees, and raising the money required to hold the event. Even though the tournament is not-for-profit, it requires funding. The element should be taken into consideration in advance.

Different theories can be used to explain how intramural soccer events in campuses are organized. Generally, theoretical frameworks illustrate how something should be done in accordance with given principles. At times, events fail due to poor planning and inability to adhere to the theories.

In this paper, the author will analyze the process of planning an intramural soccer event. The analysis is based on an event attended by the researcher in their campus. The program will be evaluated from the perspective of a participant. The theory of education management process will be used to highlight planning for the event. The model has many topics that can be used to explain how intramural soccer games should be organized (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). Usually, such games are attended by students from different institutions. The main organizers are the students. Scholars are given the opportunity to plan for the events to ensure they acquire knowledge in management.

Intramural Soccer Tournament in Campus: Planning for the Event

An event plan is like a preparation for a business undertaking. To this end, it provides the user with information on what should be done, when it should be done, and where the ‘doing’ will take place. Proper management is also required to come up with an effective plan for an event. In most cases, intramural events are held on the grounds owned by one of the participating teams, the host. Consequently, the hosts are the ones who plan for the event (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). It is not logical to plan for an event and then hold it on a location controlled by another party.

Event planning takes into consideration, among others, the number of participants to be invited. Depending on the space of the field, the organizers of the current tournament invited teams that they believed would fit comfortably in the location. The operational plan was a significant determinant of the success of the event. It provided information on when the undertaking should be held. The planners came to the conclusion that the most appropriate day will be when most of the students are free. As a result, the intramural soccer game was held when students were not busy with their curriculum activities.

The football game brought together participants from different teams. Such games call for strategic planning on how the teams will participate in the game within the specified time. The event plan helps organizers to know how teams would play. Every lineup that participated in the games was given a plan that showed how events would follow each other. The plan was very important as each squad was informed about where they were supposed to be and at what time. The plan helped in ensuring that there was no time wasted during the event (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). The tournament was completed within the time set in the plan.

Event planning can either be a success or a failure. The outcome depends on various factors. One of them is the commitment of the team responsible for activities to be undertaken during a particular day in the plan. The football intramural event was not a one day undertaking. The planning started at the beginning of the academic year to allow time for fixing the events without any rush. It is important to start planning early when dealing with events. Other institutions that were expected to take part in the tournament were also informed early enough. As a result, they had enough time to prepare for the undertaking (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). Such preparations included selecting players, training, and planning for transport. The organizing committee, which was led by hosting students, received support from administration. The support helped them in making decisions when planning for the event.

Planning for a Campus Intramural Soccer Event: Communication

It is important to know that communication is a key determinant of the success of any given event. It becomes hard to organize an undertaking when there is no communication between the people concerned. The organizers of the intramural event were dedicated to the success of their activities. The organizing committee was composed of ten students and two administrators. Time set aside for discussions regarding the event was respected by both parties.

A good staff-student relationship was established through effective communication. It is noted that effective communication occurs when people in a diverse group understand each other and make functional decisions. The students were willing to listen to what the members of staff were suggesting, creating an environment conducive for planning in the process. The administration team also reasoned with the students, fostering an environment suitable for creative discussions. Most of the events that have been cancelled in the campus in the past have been associated with poor communication. Delegation of duties also helped in the success of the undertaking (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). The concept is an important aspect in project management. To this end, each member of the organizing committee was tasked with the responsibility of carrying out a special duty to enhance the successful completion of the project.

Each member actively participated in the planning process. The move ensured that none of them was overworked. It is not advisable to work under pressure when planning for events. It is for this reason that delegation of duties was important. Working under pressure increases chances of errors. In addition, it is hard to establish proper estimates under such circumstances. Some members of the planning committee were tasked with the responsibility of establishing the cost estimates.

The accounting duties delegated to these members were completed after consultations with the students. Only those students who were willing to take part and those with knowledge in accounting and finance were allowed to hold that position. Some of the planners were good in field work. Such students were tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the field was adequately prepared before the event (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). The individuals carrying out the tasks of designing the intramural shirts included students that were good in designing.

Delegation of duties was effectively executed through communication. None of the students was forced to engage in an activity that they were not comfortable with. The collaboration between all stakeholders helped in creating a big event that most of the participants were pleased with. It is noted that ‘collision’ of duties, which is a common hindrance to such events, was eliminated through delegation of duties (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). To this end, each team of students was allowed to handle something they were good at. As such, the outcome of the preparations was perfection. The theory of education management calls for the participation of all stakeholders in the process of planning for an educational event. To this end, students and faculty members came together in preparation for the tournament.

Budgeting for the Intramural Event

The process of budgeting involves planning for the future expenditures and incomes of a certain project. A budget plan can either be operating or capital in nature. Operating budgets comprise of costs that may be involved in the process of enhancing the success of the event. No capital budgeting projects were employed in the current intramural event because there were no long-term investments made for the tournament. The expenses in this soccer game involved the production of intramural shirts for the university team and marking of the fields. Normally, referees are paid for their services.

However, in this event, there were no costs involved in paying these game officials (Parent & Smith-Swan, 2012). The winners of the tournament were also not rewarded. As such, the expense was also eliminated from the plan. The tournament planners came up with different strategies to finance the event. A number of options were available. For example, the school could have held a fundraising, request for grants, introduce ticketing, or seek for sponsorship. However, after negotiations, the management decided to charge each member of the teams that would take part in the event. A fee of $25 per individual was set. Each team was supposed to have a minimum of 11 members.

An analysis of the budgeting formula adopted for the event reveals that the students and the management team had to do some accounting in the process of organizing the tournament. Accounting is an important element when it comes to the planning and management of sporting events. The organizing committee had to analyze all the expenses before determining the fee to charge each participant. A minimum of 11 players was set after taking into considerations the budgetary requirements of the event. Given the number of teams that had been invited, the organizers were confident that the money raised will sustain the event (Miller, Veltri & Gillentine, 2005). Some of the money raised helped each team to get intramural shirts for the participants. The shirts were printed with theme of the day. Consequently, budgeting proved to be an important aspect in the plan for the intramural soccer event.

A SWOT Analysis of the Event

The planners had to carry out a SWOT analysis of their undertaking. The analysis is an important component of event planning. The organizers were able to point out their strong areas and elements that needed to be upgraded. They were also able to identify external factors that may hinder the success of the tournament, as well as those that may be exploited to enhance its success. It was important to map out these components since the event was an important activity in the university’s calendar.

Strengths

The university’s field was large enough to accommodate all participants. The planning committee invited teams that could be hosted comfortably in the allocated space. The university was also financially stable. The fee charged was mainly for sustenance purposes (Miller et al., 2005). A significant portion of the budget was catered for by the administration. Analysis of this strength made sure that the event was affordable to all participants.

Weaknesses

Some of the weaknesses involved a weak financial base of the committee. However, the problem was addressed through proper planning and bringing on board the university administration. Budgeting helped the committee to establish the correct methods to fund the event. Delegation of duties was another weakness in the initial stages of planning. It was hard to coordinate the activities of all members (Miller et al., 2005). However, it helped to deal with the poor structure of the committee.

Opportunities

The event presented the university with possibilities for new growth. The component was determined by the game, the participants, and the host campus. By hosting the event, the campus improved its image to the outside world. Many people would view the school from another perspective and not just from the angle of academics. Students who participated in planning for the event also had an opportunity to grow. Their management skills were improved. Other students who participated in the game were also provided with the opportunity to recreate and mingle with others. As already indicated, the event was not hosted for the purposes of making profits. On the contrary, it was meant to help students interact and build their extra-curricular personalities (Miller et al., 2005). The popularity of the football game was also improved by hosting the event. Some of these factors were taken into consideration when planning for the intramural event.

Threats

A number of threats that could impede the success of the event were identified. Some of them touched on security and emergency services. Insecurity could discourage many people from taking part in the games. As a result, the planning committee invested in security to ensure that all the teams were protected (Miller et al., 2005). The committee also focused on what could happen if there were injuries during the game. Such eventualities were expected. As a result, the organizers decided to look for medics who would offer first aid and medical help in case of an accident. Analysis of the threats was important in the planning of the event.

Conclusion

Generally, planning for the intramural soccer event in the campus was a success. The success was largely due to the effective event plan drafted by the committee. Proper communication was also a contributing factor. In addition, a critical SWOT analysis of the undertaking and proper budgeting played a major role in the success of the tournament. Participants gained management skills from the planning process. All these elements are part of the main theory of education management process. As such, one may conclude that intramural events are aimed at giving students the management skills they may be needed in the future. Unlike other events, the tournaments are not aimed at making profits for the university.

References

Miller, J., Veltri, F., & Gillentine, A. (2005). A student perspective of intramural sport risk management procedures. Recreational Sports Journal, 29(1), 22-32. Web.

Parent, M., & Smith-Swan, S. (2012). Managing major sports events: Theory and practice. London: Routledge. Web.

Soccer is my favorite game which brings satisfaction and raises team spirit. Like other sports, soccer is an organized game that has become institutionalized. Last week I was playing soccer with my friends and the game was amazing: energetic and vigorous. Playing with friends in GYM, I was involved in competitions; figure skating and diving are non-interactive. This differed from not taking the game seriously, in that it involved, not a transformation of the game itself, but rather an alternative to the game that was defined as providing greater enjoyment than what would have otherwise occurred. The main equipment is a ball and goals. The soccer ball has two-toned, black and white, markings. In contrast to traditional marking, the ball we used was red and white, and we had no goals.

The game started at 4 PM and lasted 90 minutes. At the beginning of the game, we kick off a coin. During this time, all players were on their own side of the field. My team won. In contrast to the traditional shape of the field, where the size of the areas is about 100 yards in length and 50 yards wide, the shape of the areas is GYM are smaller. There are boundary lines surround the field considered part of the field. The main problem was that we did not have 11 players for each team (according to the rules of the game) but had 7-7 for each team.

During the game, I paid the main attention to team strategy and the configuration of players around the point of action. Usually, I tried to concentrate upon the position of attackers in relation to the defense and overall the success of each attack. Each time the cross occurred, I crossed the area in front of the defense. During this very game, the important step was possession of the ball which switched back and forth between the teams. My team several times lost possession when they made a bad pass, sent the ball out of bounds. When possession of the ball changed from my team to the other, the attacking team became the defense, and my team became the offense.

Because this happens very frequently during a game, it was important for my team to make the transition quickly. As a true sports fan, I spend every hour of the waking day keeping track of the various teams and the thousands of athletes involved. During the first match, I tried to apply all possible techniques to help my team lead a score. My team felt frustration became we could not score a goal for half an hour. We used different tactics and strategies but the opposite team defended its positions and gates.

This game for me was a challenge to force others to keep their attention on the task. In terms of motivation, the game last week was all the necessary ingredients to be intrinsically motivating. The activities themselves were interesting and exciting (at least for some people); challenge and mastery were central components; and participation is, in most cases, voluntary. Certainly in soccer players seem to need no prods or incentives to play; the direct, experiential rewards derived from the activity seem to be enough to maintain their involvement.

Last week, it was difficult to describe the ratio of attackers to defenders in particular events, while simultaneously assessing the space between a defender and an attacker in possession of the ball. Successful attacks made by my team have resulted in 10 goals, an intermediate attack resulted in a non-scoring shot on goal.

During the whole game, I was good at receiving the ball. In this game, players of my team received balls from different directions and heights. I used different parts of the body to receive the ball except for my hands and arms. The proper technique for controlling the ball and maintaining possession was to cushion the ball’s impact by relaxing and slightly withdrawing the part of the body receiving the ball, with the most common parts being the foot, thigh, and chest. This play was not just a game but emotional cooperation with my friends.

To this emotional charge, players responded in various ways. The behavior players saw during the excitement becomes tied to all types of courageous as well as cowardly behavior. During the second set, my friends and I performed far beyond their usual expectations whereas others suddenly fell below their usual game. The emotion tied to the game produces not only unexpected circumstances but unexpected behaviors. The second match carried an immense appeal. No two contests could ever be repeated exactly, and we were constantly expecting the unexpected. Last week, there were no severe penalties against players of both teams. The break between matches was at 4:45 PM.

During this time, my team planed and discussed our drawbacks in defense and created new tactics and strategies for the play. We decided to attack the other team from the very first moment in order to exhaust them till the end of the match. This strategy helped us to end with an equal number of goals. The second match started at 5:05 PM. In contrast to the traditional 15-minute break, both teams took more time to create a new strategy.

Last week, the game was slow thus players of both teams were on the run constantly. The main players were defenders and goalies. Because of an inefficient number of players, we lacked forwards and midfielders. Players from the opposite team touched the ball with arms several times during the second match. As you know, the main rule is that players cannot touch the ball with arms except the goalkeeper. The goal of my team was to obtain ends beyond the simple benefits of participation in the game.

The game was not an end in itself, but a path to other desired ends through the resolution of competition. Soccer involved other people and was highly structured or seriously regarded. During the game last week, most of the goals were made from shots. For me the most difficult technique in the shooting was accuracy. I suppose that effective shooting was not only a technique but mathematical thinking and calculation.

The end of the game was vigorously marked by competition and a desire to win. Furthermore, soccer almost invariably involved competition; individuals or teams attempted to beat other teams. The game last week was interactive where there was a critical defensive. Soccer is often called a low-scoring game because it is difficult for two teams to make a goal. During the second match, in order to faster the result, my team used shooting.

The game ended at 6 PM, thus we needed additional time. When a game ended with an equal number of goals having been scored by each team, the game was tied and ends in a draw. Thus, overtime periods were used to determine a winner, followed by a tie-breaker—a series of penalty kicks taken by players from both teams. After five shots were taken by each team, my team won the game. According to rules, if the teams are still tied, they continue to take shots, one at a time, until one team scores and the other does not. At the end of the game, we were tired but happy, we felt excitement and pleasure.

I liked the game last week because it showed me and my friends that sports like soccer build character. A comparison has often been made between the athletic field and the battlefield. Last week, every team member was directly responsible, and that all things attained from players were good for the growth and development of a team spirit. The game was supposed to bring out the best in us. There can be little doubt that the athletic area has become a center for taking care of our emotional needs. We participated in and were spectators of the emotional charge. If players did not provide excitement it would be gone in a short period.

The main advantage of the game last week was the fact that all players admired and respected the talent of other team players. Playing soccer, my team restored and rejuvenated energies to work and deal with life by playing. Fatigue and boredom were relieved by using the body physically in temporally novel ways. I admired the game last week because like all games, it shared the goal of victory. In short, as much as anything else, soccer was a form of occupation for the players who participated in them. Soccer was the object of cooperation and team spirit. Some of my friends, came to the GYM to support my team and me. Many fans were functionally members of the team group.

At the same time, this craze was taking place in professional athletics, it was being matched, if not superseded, by the fanaticism on the college level. The collegiate system was so close to the professionals that the average person can barely determine the difference between the two.

Definition of Football and Soccer

Football is a term mostly used in the world to refer to a game played using ball. It is usually confused with soccer. Football is mostly played in America and it is referred to as American football. In this game, an elongate ball is moved to the end of the score by throwing or kicking.

As opposed to American football, soccer is a game or sport played by two teams using a round ball. The team usually consists of eleven players and the game is played on a field that has goals on either end of the field. The ball is moved by using any body part, with an exception of hands and arms. The field played on is rectangular, and each team tries to score goals on their opponent’s goal. The goalkeeper can touch the ball with any body part.

Differences

Football is a common term used when referring to both, American football and soccer, as many people do not know that football played using legs is, actually, called soccer. It is on of the earliest sports, which paved the way for other games using almost the same rules. However, the sport’s association refers to soccer. The shape of the balls also differ, in that the ball used in soccer is round, whereas the ball used in American football is oval, and has rounded ends. Between both games, football tends to be more physical and gressive; therefore, the players protect themselves with protective armors, to prevent them from potential injuries. On the other hand, soccer players do not wear any protection gears apart from kneepads.

Similarities between Football and Soccer

The nature of scoring for both sports is the same. It is a given rule that the winner of the game is one with the highest scores. Additionally, both games require the ball to be on the move. Football uses the method of passing the ball using hands, whereas soccer only allows the ball to be kicked using any body parts apart from the arms and hands.

Both games have teams of eleven players each, who are in opposition. Both playing fields are almost the same, but the soccer field is slightly larger. Each sport has a star player; soccer has a mid-fielder and there is a quarterback in the American football. Both sports have rules on offside which is considered to be a violation.

Millions of people around the world usually follow these two games passionately, and they are the most popular games. These games have rules and associations that govern them, ever since the nineteenth century. It is clear that these two terms are confused all the time while referring to soccer, since it is the sport that is mostly played globally. Football and Soccer are sports that will stay for a long time.

Introduction

The fact that modern technologies have made an enormous progress over the years should not be overlooked, and it is necessary to find new uses for some of the devices that have been developed. One of the most interesting devices that should be discussed is a miniature camera that has been used for many purposes and is commonly used in many areas.

One of the most significant benefits that must be mentioned is that it can be used to record both video and audio in progress, and it is completely wireless (Tatum and Harris par 3.). Also, it is paramount to note that many companies have tried to take advantage of this technology because it has enormous potential that still has not been realized.

Discussion

The idea that is suggested is to develop miniature cameras that would be attached o shirts of soccer players that would be used to record and stream video from the perspective of a particular individual. It is necessary to mention that similar approaches have been considered in the past by football associations, but opportunities that have been introduced with the development of virtual reality technologies still have not been fully explored.

Also, it is imperative to have an understanding of the fact that video editors and directors will have to deal with numerous difficulties because the number of cameras increases significantly, and it is entirely possible that they will need a lot of time to get used to such technologies.

Technology

It is paramount to mention that soccer can be regarded as an appropriate choice in this case because it is relatively low-contact most of the time (Trenholm par. 5). However, numerous incidents in the past have led to many injuries and other problems. The issue that should not be overlooked is that it is necessary to make sure that the camera is well-protected because such devices are quite expensive, and any damage could lead to severe losses.

Also, it is necessary to make sure that the camera does not affect the process of the game for players, and they do not have to be worried about its position and if the vision is blocked. Furthermore, it is important to ensure that it is stable to provide viewers with the best possible experience.

It is understandable that some technical difficulties may occur, and it could lead to questionable decisions by referees. Also, it is necessary to make sure that the quality of video that is recorded is incredibly high because the demands of viewers are always increasing.

Several aspects should be considered during the process of design, and their role should not be overlooked. A picture needs to have an outstanding resolution to be viewed on flat screens, and it is extremely likely that this aspect will require the most attention.

The issue is that some of the motions and rapid movements may lead to confusion, and it is paramount to take all the necessary measures to make sure that the level of stability of is acceptable. Also, it is imperative to understand that this device would require testing, and it will have to pass through several phases to reduce the possibility of risks and complications. Many prototypes should be developed to analyze which one is the most efficient.

A lot of attention should be devoted to cost of the miniature camera lens because it is one of the most important parts, and it is necessary to find the right balance between the quality and price (Bates 13). Another aspect that may be quite problematic is possible issues with the weather because they may affect the level of visibility in some cases, and it is imperative to make sure that miniature camera can provide high-quality videos under all conditions.

Also, it is necessary to understand that the device may be displaced or covered in dirt in some cases, and the overall goal is to minimize the need for interference because the sport is valued by viewers for its speed and action. The fact that the demand for VR videos is going to be incredibly high also needs to be considered. Many companies have focused on the development of 360-degree cameras that would relatively cheap and affordable (Phillips and Demuro par. 2).

Also, another aspect that is worthy of a discussion is that audio should be regarded as a vital part of the overall experience, and it is necessary to take this factor into consideration because an ability to hear even the smallest details would be valued by viewers (Rappaport par. 6). However, the issue is how appropriate the use of such devices would be during a soccer match, but it can be said that this approach has potential.

Such camera should be able to record videos at the rate of sixty frames per second for an optimal experience for viewers, and this is an aspect that should not be disregarded during the process of design (Mejia par. 2). It is understandable that the quality of such videos is not going to be the best possible at the start because high-end video cameras are currently used to direct such movies.

However, it is likely that the situation is going to improve in the future with the introduction of new technologies and techniques. Overall, the focus should be on the minimization of possible expenses. TV companies and football associations are willing to support the development of such technologies, but it is important to understand that this product may have to deal with numerous competitors.

Benefits

It is imperative to mention that such product would have a broad range of advantages that need to be discussed. New devices such as Samsung’s Gear View that have been recently introduced can be used to view matches from different parts of a stadium, and one could get a feeling of being present at an event (“A Totally New Way to Look at Sports” par. 5).

An ability to see all the action from the perspective of a particular player would be highly valuable, and it is expected that such videos would be incredibly profitable. Many viewers would like an ability to replay some of the moments, and virtual reality will help to enhance the experience because actions of others players can also be viewed.

It is paramount to mention that such approach has been well-received, and it is evident that collaboration with companies that produce VR devices can be quite beneficial in this case.

Also, it is necessary to understand that an ability to review such replays would be valuable because it would help with the development of new strategies and tactics because it is much easier to identify possible mistakes and understand how they could have been avoided.

Another aspect that should not be disregarded is that a broad range of other similar products may be considered if this one is successful. Also, another factor that should not be overlooked is that it would increase an ability of rival teams to analyze the play style of a particular player, and the amount of other data that can be collected with a use of such technologies is enormous.

Also, it is necessary to mention that such cameras would help to improve decision-making of referees significantly. The issue is that it is nearly impossible to make an appropriate decision in some cases because the view may be obstructed in some situations. However, this device would help to address some of the issues that are currently present.

For instance, diving is regarded as especially problematic, and it may not be clear if the player does it intentionally or not if only a single replay is viewed. The problem that needs to be addressed is that it is a practice that is tolerated most of the time because it requires enormous skill and players that have been caught trying to cheat have to deal with severe consequences. However, it may affect the image and reputation of the sport, and necessary measures are not taken to prevent possible errors (Torres par. 4).

The ability to view it from the perspective of a particular individual would be highly valuable. On the other hand, many referees think that it would affect the game, and review of such replays would take too much time and will be incredibly distracting in most cases.

It is understandable that the game has been popular for many years, and such dramatic changes may not be appreciated by some of the fans. It may be necessary to establish a group of referees that would review replays of questionable moments to identify if rules were broken or not.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is hard to argue with the fact that this product has enormous potential, and football associations and viewers would be extremely interested in it. It is understandable that this approach is not new, and has been used in some other sports. However, the development of new technologies leads to numerous new opportunities that have not been discovered in the past.

One of the most significant problems that should not be disregarded is that several challenges for the implementation of such miniature cameras are currently present. For instance, many football associations prefer approaches that are more traditional. Also, the process would require significant amounts of resources and time.

However, this technique can be tested to evaluate if it is efficient and expenses are justified. It is necessary to keep track of latest trends in the industry to identify any improvements that can be made to the product, and gain a significant competitive advantage. Moreover, it is paramount to understand that the support from soccer associations is of utmost importance.

Overall, it is evident that there is a need for new technologies that would help to improve the decision-making process of referees because some of the decisions that are made are incredibly controversial, and such cameras can be used to keep track of all the events that happen in the soccer field.

Works Cited

“A Totally New Way to Look at Sports with Samsung Gear VR.” Samsung Newsroom. Samsung, 2015. Web.

Bates, Rob. “The Modern Miniature Camera Objective: an Evolutionary Design Path from the Landscape Lens.” Advanced Optical Technologies 2.1 (2013). Print.

Mejia, Ozzie. “Zero Point” Director Explains Filmmaking with Oculus Rift“.” Shacknews. Shacknews, 2014. Web.

Phillips, Chadwick, and Rich Demuro. “Affordable 360 Degree Camera Lets Anyone Create Virtual Reality Videos.” KTLA. KTLA, 2015. Web.

Rappaport, Max. “How Virtual Reality Will Change How We Watch Live Sports.“. Complex, 2015. Web.

Tatum, Malcolm, and Bronwyn Harris. “What Is a Spy Camera?” WiseGeek. 2015. Web.

Torres, Cesar T. “On Diving: Soccer’s Integrity is at Stake.” The New York Times. 2009. Web.

Trenholm, Richard. “Cameras in Players’ Shirts Put You in the Heart of Sporting Action.” Cnet. 2015. Web.