AGS Steam Games

Forums → WEPR → Debate: The Personal Value of Football (Soccer)

22 4861
Pertokeyo
offline
Pertokeyo
9 posts
Nomad

This year has seen the first ever hosting of the FIFA World Cup in an African country. Many would agree that it has passed smoothly.

But the debate I want to begin indulgence in is what the value of football is to you.

I've been a small supporter of my father's hometown team for over a year. He follows it passionately since they were promoted twice in two seasons. We've even been to several live matches and together experienced the atmosphere of group chanting and cheering.

Football is enjoyed worldwide by millions of people who pay huge amounts of money to watch the exciting realistic games played live with full adrenaline.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/6/6/1244306001727/Soccer---FIFA-World-Cup-2-002.jpg

But there are major problems with football.

Firstly there is often huge negativity when a player does not perform to an "expected" standard. There is often an unbalanced view of the team based on their performance and if one player seems to have underperformed, then everybody goes on to say that everybody else had a poor game. Vice Versa if the team wins.

Secondly football has the least solid mechanics of any sport that I can immediately think of. Decisions are not black and white (A makes B happen) and this leads to monumental human errors that seem to be happening more and more.

http://www.illinoissoccer.org/180px-Soccer-referee.gif

Secondly there is a lack of technology to support the human referee who has to account for so many things during a match and is pressured to make all decisions correct. Many fans share the unfair frustration of verdicts that are clearly wrong.

Thirdly i'm worried that the business element overrides the recreational purpose that football was originally created for. We blame players for losing and criticise them heavily and personally because they get paid so much that we will not tolerate failure.

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/06/13/alg_green_misses.jpg

This debate is about football in general, but I wanted to touch on three main points.

1: Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?

2: Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?

3: What is the future of football - how is it going to move forward?

http://www.independent.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00141/carling-1-PA_141469t.jpg

Lastly I understand that soccer is not largely popular in America, so for the majority of users please feel committed to discussing about American Football.

  • 22 Replies
wolf1991
offline
wolf1991
3,437 posts
Farmer

Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?


This is, in my opinion, a poor question. Calling soccer (football) an unfair sport opens up the door to call any sport unfair. Within the rules of the sport it is fair just like any other sport that requires a referee. I mean come off it there will always be human error during a game. Technology makes it a little easier but who makes the call in the end? That's right a human.

Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?


No. Canada has a terrible soccer team. I support England, Ireland and Netherlands. And I follow Manchester United in the English Premier League.

What is the future of football - how is it going to move forward?


Um as it always had? Not really sure what point you're trying to make with this question. If you mean technology wise then I do not have an answer.

Lastly I understand that soccer is not largely popular in NORTH America, so for the majority of users please feel committed to discussing about American Football.


It's growing in popularity. I'd much rather watch a soccer game then a hockey game. Soccer has a great flow to it and a great atmosphere. When I watch hockey there are times when the crowd just stays silent. Soccer the crowd just keeps cheering. It's great.

Also side note: What is American Football even called football? It should be called tackleball or something.

Side side note: I changed America to North America.
BenTheBozer
offline
BenTheBozer
815 posts
Nomad

1: Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?
Yes from what I understand scoccer is a fair sport and has been for awhile and must due to its large fan base.

2: Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?
The Scocceroos :P it must be scoccer if a team has it in there name. I support them because they are Australia's national team and i love sticking it to people when we rarely win, the most i have watched of there scoccer game is about 10 min all they do is pass around in triangles, i would rather watch cricket and in that case i did.

3: What is the future of football - how is it going to move forward?
I dont see how it can move forward its one of the worlds largests sports with the largest fan base.

Pertokeyo
offline
Pertokeyo
9 posts
Nomad

Thanks for the response.

Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?

wolf1991: This is, in my opinion, a poor question. Calling soccer (football) an unfair sport opens up the door to call any sport unfair.


There are fairer sports. Tennis players can challenge a decision a limited number of times and in rugby a forth official can be consulted. Why can't football have some sort of fallback system to improve accuracy?

Lastly I understand that soccer is not largely popular in NORTH America, so for the majority of users please feel committed to discussing about American Football.

It's growing in popularity. I'd much rather watch a soccer game then a hockey game. Soccer has a great flow to it and a great atmosphere.


This highlights both one of the incredible aspects and one most concerning. Football provides a lot of enjoyment. There is a lot of core physical skill involved and it inspires teamwork in schools and colleges.

However football has been tainted by the overwhelming price on the names of clubs and certain players. And the biggest worry is that hooliganism must stream from something far more serious than recreational motive.

Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?

The Scocceroos :P it must be scoccer if a team has it in there name. I support them because they are Australia's national team and i love sticking it to people when we rarely win, the most i have watched of there scoccer game is about 10 min all they do is pass around in triangles, i would rather watch cricket and in that case i did.


Games vary a lot in football. Sometimes the players on both teams don't put enough effort in and then no spark is lit.
wolf1991
offline
wolf1991
3,437 posts
Farmer

There are fairer sports. Tennis players can challenge a decision a limited number of times and in rugby a forth official can be consulted. Why can't football have some sort of fallback system to improve accuracy?


So what? You cannot challenge a play in hockey does that make hockey an unfair sport?

However football has been tainted by the overwhelming price on the names of clubs and certain players. And the biggest worry is that hooliganism must stream from something far more serious than recreational motive.


Just like any other major sport. This is not just in soccer as you seem to believe.
nevetsthereaper
offline
nevetsthereaper
641 posts
Nomad

how does this fit into this category, should it not be in the tavern? just asking, not really up to speed on the rules of that nature.

AnaLoGMunKy
offline
AnaLoGMunKy
1,573 posts
Blacksmith

1: Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?

What do you classify as a game. I count tag or hide and seek as a game.

2: Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?

No, I dislike foozball for what its become

3: What is the future of football - how is it going to move forward?

Teams are already loosing regional and national identity. Its already turned into a massive money making market and will continue to do so as long as there are thick people to drink beer and start fights with another colour of shirt?!?

The future of foozbaw will be no bounderies. Doesnt matter what country your from or live in, the name of the team will mearly be a tag. How many of you see Man U (Manchester United) as a place. Its a real place. They are meant to be from manchester. But most players are prolly not. In fact look at any premier team and you will find the regional teams with non regional players i.e. players not from manchester etc...

should it not be in the tavern?


I dont think it should be, its more than just a general topic with no direction. Sorry to sound boring but it has political and social ramifications.
Asherlee
offline
Asherlee
5,001 posts
Shepherd

I'm just going to chime in on the mechanics of the game. Because I have a lot of experience in this realm. I've been playing since I was 3. I continued on at a University and even to semi-pro teams.

So, my opinion is directed right at the refs. I really think there should be 4 referees. 2 on the field, 2 on the sidelines. The sideline ref job would stay the same, but he 2 on field would work together to make a call.

Now, here is the problems I see with fixing the mechanics. There are no time out, it is a fluid 2 halves. The ref has a matter of seconds to make the call and move on. So, would you say that is what gives the game it's charm?

wolf1991
offline
wolf1991
3,437 posts
Farmer

Now, here is the problems I see with fixing the mechanics. There are no time out, it is a fluid 2 halves. The ref has a matter of seconds to make the call and move on. So, would you say that is what gives the game it's charm?


I too have played soccer for a long time. Roughly 14 years. It's what I've always enjoyed about the game, the lack of down time. I enjoy the fluid movement of the game and it's speed. Sure refs make bad calls but everything is subject to error.
DoctorHouseNCIS
offline
DoctorHouseNCIS
304 posts
Nomad

Soccer is played world wide. Period.

Football (not fútbol) is mainly based in the U.S.

Hockey is played somewhat around the world, but not nearly as much as Soccer

Volleyball is played around the world as well, more than Hockey, much less than soccer

Soccer brings and shares so much to communities everywhere.

Pertokeyo
offline
Pertokeyo
9 posts
Nomad

wolf1991: Just like any other major sport. This is not just in soccer as you seem to believe.


Soccer has the largest element of tribalism than in any sport (due to the popularity and culture surrounding it).

Football "can" provide an illusion of community for groups of individuals, and they make it their duty to destroy other teams on and off the pitch.

AnaLoGMunKy: What do you classify as a game. I count tag or hide and seek as a game.


This question baffled me too. Wikipedia has no clear definition of a game. Some believe that games can be counted as work, while others believe that a game is a certain goal where the rival players can directly interfere with it.

Asherlee: Now, here is the problems I see with fixing the mechanics. There are no time out, it is a fluid 2 halves. The ref has a matter of seconds to make the call and move on. So, would you say that is what gives the game it's charm?


This is the optimistic view that would be true during a game with good sportsmanship, but more and more players are resulting to pathetic delaying tactics and performing fake injuries to break up the flow of the game.

Let's take this year's world cup final, Holland broke up the game constantly with their bad tackles.

DoctorHouseNCIS Soccer brings and shares so much to communities everywhere.


Yes it does. Football has provided social and personal inspiration for all kinds of people, from young troubled infants to prisoners. It's something nearly everyone can play without explanation or in depth rules.
DoctorHouseNCIS
offline
DoctorHouseNCIS
304 posts
Nomad

It is such a simple sport, I wonder where it started (discussion indicator)

ulimitedpower
offline
ulimitedpower
1,739 posts
Nomad

1: Do you believe that football is a fair sport, or has enough fixed mechanics for it to actually be classed as game?


You can cheat in all sports and activities.

If done right, soccer can be controlled for most things. It depends on how good your ref is, and how fair the players are.

A big problem is slide tackling: It is very hard to tell when a foul related to it is on purpose and deserves a card. It has even been considered banning it, and I feel it should, because I've been fouled pretty dirtily too.
It is such a simple sport, I wonder where it started (discussion indicator)


LOL, weird thing to say. We discuss what we want. It started in England, although they had a similar (massacre) game in Italy at the same time...

2: Do you support a football team in your country, and if so how much and why?


I sooooo support Germany. This just wasn't one of our best years...
3: What is the future of football - how is it going to move forward?


I hope FIFA and other big soccer tournaments start using cameras for game fairness. Many don't understand why they don't do it (I don't either).
SosolidClaws
offline
SosolidClaws
251 posts
Nomad

I am definitely the hugest soccer fan in the whole of Armorgames, i devote any free time in my life to football.

My team is Galatasaray, from Turkey.

Football is the best sport in the world. No questions asked. No unfairnes involved.

Anyone who has a problem with it or disagrees with me can fo firetruck themselves.

Deth666
offline
Deth666
653 posts
Nomad

I've never understood the fascination with soccer. I don't consider it physical enough, in the sense that all you can do is knock the ball away from the guy and/or trip them. I say that from first hand knowledge not from watching it on TV. I have and do occasionally play soccer but i much prefer Hockey or Football because they're a lot more physical.

Referees seem to mess up just about any sport. Many times my Super Bowl hopes were crushed by a myriad of horrible calls.

I have no idea if there is a Pittsburgh soccer team. So, no i suppose i don't support them.

In regards, to the future of Soccer, I'm thinking about getting metal legs. It's a risky operation, but it'll be worth it.

AnaLoGMunKy
offline
AnaLoGMunKy
1,573 posts
Blacksmith

I don't consider it physical enough, in the sense that all you can do is knock the ball away from the guy and/or trip them. I say that from first hand knowledge not from watching it on TV. I have and do occasionally play soccer but i much prefer Hockey or Football because they're a lot more physical.


I dont get how its not physical enuf. Its just as physical as most sports out there bar real contact sport like rugby, american foozball and aussie rules etc...
Showing 1-15 of 22