I coached my son’s and daughter’s soccer teams when they we in grade school and I have no great dislike for soccer. I think it’s good physical exercise however it does not seem to build any useable skills. It attempts to foster teamwork and comradery but I didn’t notice it having any lasting effects.
The one thing Ann missed here is the dishonesty built into the games rules. If the ref didn’t see it, it didn’t happen and it seems that the number of ref’s is purposely limited to prevent flagrant violations of the rules from being noticed by the officials. The fans however see all of this and it seems to encourage the players to compete for a shadow game of revenge that plays out behind the officials backs.
All this is a mockery of rightful authority and encourages breaking the rules if you can avoid getting caught, which is not one of the values I was taught as child in America.
“If the ref didn’t see it, it didn’t happen and it seems that the number of ref’s is purposely limited to prevent flagrant violations of the rules from being noticed by the officials. The fans however see all of this and it seems to encourage the players to compete for a shadow game of revenge that plays out behind the officials backs.”
I guess I would rather have the shadow game of retaliation than a million stoppages on foul calls. The ball goes out of bounds often enough as it is, but even with those stoppages it seems like you are getting big meaty chunks of product with no commercials. And the only jerky celebrations I have seen were for goals, which I find grating but at least it doesn’t happen all the time.
The problem with football and basketball in the modern era is that with modern officiating penalty trends and a million camera angles the players can’t self police themselves. So if you want to be a near seven footer who chest pounds after you dunk with no defender within 20 feet of you, no one can stop you from being a tremendous jerk. Same with a 300lb + lineman who falls on a loose ball, you can get up and break out the gyrating self-congratulatory prancing all you want.
Freegards