[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Please explain to me how it doesn’t prove anything? It proves it’s an extremely popular sport.
[/quote]
The problem is that people are assuming that, since a lot of kids play soccer, it we continue to grow in popularity.
It may very well continue to grow, but it’s not necessarily because kids are playing it. They’re likely unrelated items. Yes, soccer is a very popular sport for kids to play, but that doesn’t mean anything. All it proves is that a lot of kids play it.
[quote]malonetd wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:
Please explain to me how it doesn’t prove anything? It proves it’s an extremely popular sport.
The problem is that people are assuming that, since a lot of kids play soccer, it we continue to grow in popularity.
It may very well continue to grow, but it’s not necessarily because kids are playing it. They’re likely unrelated items. Yes, soccer is a very popular sport for kids to play, but that doesn’t mean anything. All it proves is that a lot of kids play it.[/quote]
Exactly my point. As I said, my son plays soccer, but prefers to watch other sports. He has said, “if you’re not playing it, it’s boring to watch.”.
[quote]malonetd wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:
Please explain to me how it doesn’t prove anything? It proves it’s an extremely popular sport.
The problem is that people are assuming that, since a lot of kids play soccer, it we continue to grow in popularity.
It may very well continue to grow, but it’s not necessarily because kids are playing it. They’re likely unrelated items. Yes, soccer is a very popular sport for kids to play, but that doesn’t mean anything. All it proves is that a lot of kids play it.[/quote]
Exactly. Thank you.
Jtrinsey- 1) I don’t attack people or try to throw out accomplishments on boards, and never in my post did I say I play football or rugby to be “cool” or impress anyone else.
I used me playing football only as an example of how much it cost to get individual equipment. And rugby to show that IMO once exposed to the game and get an understanding, its a great sport to watch, and referenced my personal experience. So making that jump to imply that I was bragging in any way is pretty “uncool” and “unimpressive”, state your opinion don’t pick a fight.
Anyways, I don’t see the point in internet bickering so that is the end of that hopefully, atleast from my end.
There is not a lot of equipment needed, and its easier to take unathletic kids to get enough numbers to make full teams vs. in football where you need more equipment and explaining plays and patterns. So people college age play soccer more than football because of ease more than a love for the game.
[quote]jtrinsey wrote:
Then why are there more high-school and college-aged people playing soccer than football?[/quote]
I disagree with that.
For every school soccer team with 20 guys on it, there’s a football team with 60. Among casual players, I see countless people playing catch or touch football compared to kicking a soccer ball around. While in college, I personally never saw college kids playing soccer, yet there were always students out throwing a football around.
I would wager that outside of a few soccer hotspots, the sport is virtually nothing among people over the age of 8 in America.
[quote]tGunslinger wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:
Then why are there more high-school and college-aged people playing soccer than football?
I disagree with that.
For every school soccer team with 20 guys on it, there’s a football team with 60. Among casual players, I see countless people playing catch or touch football compared to kicking a soccer ball around. While in college, I personally never saw college kids playing soccer, yet there were always students out throwing a football around.
I would wager that outside of a few soccer hotspots, the sport is virtually nothing among people over the age of 8 in America.
[/quote]
Flag football is gaining huge popularity among working adults, its far from softball but it is rising fast.
I have to say the ONE thing that I see that can help soccer is immigration. Since soccer is the most famous sport outside of the U.S. the more foreiners possibly there kids will like soccer more growing up in a soccer household.
Americans like sports. Soccer is what your little daughter plays, run up and down and kick a little white ball. Soccer is NOT a serious sport.
I certainly like to see the little children get some exercise. At least its okay for that.
[quote]TBoZ1244 wrote:
malonetd wrote:
jtrinsey wrote:
Please explain to me how it doesn’t prove anything? It proves it’s an extremely popular sport.
The problem is that people are assuming that, since a lot of kids play soccer, it we continue to grow in popularity.
It may very well continue to grow, but it’s not necessarily because kids are playing it. They’re likely unrelated items. Yes, soccer is a very popular sport for kids to play, but that doesn’t mean anything. All it proves is that a lot of kids play it.
Exactly. Thank you.
Jtrinsey- 1) I don’t attack people or try to throw out accomplishments on boards, and never in my post did I say I play football or rugby to be “cool” or impress anyone else.
I used me playing football only as an example of how much it cost to get individual equipment. And rugby to show that IMO once exposed to the game and get an understanding, its a great sport to watch, and referenced my personal experience. So making that jump to imply that I was bragging in any way is pretty “uncool” and “unimpressive”, state your opinion don’t pick a fight.
Anyways, I don’t see the point in internet bickering so that is the end of that hopefully, atleast from my end.[/quote]
Fair nuff. It was uncalled for. Apologies.
[quote]
2) The point of my post was to point out soccer being played more than football in the college age group has more to do with the ability to quickly and cheaply organize a pick up soccer game.
There is not a lot of equipment needed, and its easier to take unathletic kids to get enough numbers to make full teams vs. in football where you need more equipment and explaining plays and patterns. So people college age play soccer more than football because of ease more than a love for the game.[/quote]
I agree… but I think that is a big part of why soccer has such a grassroots following in other countries; it is the easiest sport to get a game going with. I do think that the number of people playing a sport is loosely correlated with it’s popularity. I think part of the reason the MLB hasn’t been growing much is that there aren’t as many kids playing baseball as there used to be.
I actually find rugby pretty cool, I just don’t think it will ever get that big in America because it’s too close to football. It definitely is growing in popularity, more and more youth clubs are popping up, so who knows…
To be honest I’m not even sure why I’m in this argument. I don’t really even like soccer. I just can’t stand the typical “Oh I’m a big tough American and way too hardcore for soccer” attitude. I pegged you incorrectly and for that I apologize.
[quote]Headhunter wrote:
Americans like sports. Soccer is what your little daughter plays, run up and down and kick a little white ball. Soccer is NOT a serious sport.
I certainly like to see the little children get some exercise. At least its okay for that.[/quote]
Wow. The entire world is wrong about soccer being a serious sport. You should really talk to somebody about that. I’m sure all the soccer fans and players in the world would appreciate your well thought-out insight.
Well done.
The problem is a gap from when you’re a kid to high school & college level soccer. Yes all kids play soccer because it’s easy at first. Once kids get to high school there is so many other options in terms of sports. Soccer is a game that requires amazing finesse and accuracy.
I grew up in a immigrant family and played football & basketball in the States. I’ve also played soccer for over 15 years and I can say that soccer is harder then football and basketball. No offense to the football/bball players here. I love both those sports dearly but soccer requires so many different attitudes and skills to be an all round competitor.
Also, having played soccer at a highly competitive level I can honestly say that soccer is a contact sport. There is plenty of physical strength required to stay on the ball in a full sprint. I play a forward and can run the 40 in 4.4 and when you are accelerating at that speed to a ball with a defender hacking, shoulder, and pushing you off your game…it’s a different kind of physical ability required then basketball or football. I agree with a previous post that Americans love sports which is awesome because imho all sports are worth playing.