Football Vs Soccer - How They Are Related, and How They Are Not
By: Wellington Wetwater
Two of the most beloved sports Football and Soccer have much in common.
Lately, many are wondering why there is such an international pull for soccer
while football remains an American sport. This articles intent is to bring out
some of the similarities and differences between soccer and football based on:
history, team size, and fan size.
History: Football vs. Soccer
Football is actually a relative from soccer. Though the date is unsure of
when the sport was first known to be played, there were many professional teams
starting to spring up in the late 1800s. It was not that much different from its
closer cousin rugby, but was showing some far different plays from soccer
already.
Here is an interesting fact. Soccer or "football" as is as known in most
European and South American Countries is actually the founder of both rugby and
football. The major disconnections occurred when the rules for soccer changed to
a "no hands" rule. At this point rugby was born. Later as rugby split into two
different kinds of play: traditional rugby which allows drop kick goals and more
footwork, and American football which has kickoffs and field goals (reminiscent
of its soccer days) tackling and hand offs (similar to rugby) and forward
passing, options, and other additions.
Soccer on the other hand has a long history, according to the Munich
Ethnological Museum there is a Chinese text dated around 50 B.C. talking about
"soccer" games in china. Though it is unsure how similar these games were to
what we know as soccer today.
Team Size: Football vs. Soccer
There is a tremendous size difference between football and soccer. In
football you not only have players that make up a team, but you have specific
teams within your team. There are three major teams that consist of a football
team: The offense, the defense, and special teams. Each one has a specific
objective. The offense with a quarterback, receivers, and guards' objective are
to score touchdowns, while the defensive team's job is to stop the opposing team
from scoring by tackling the quarterback, runners, or blocking passes. Special
teams deal with punts, field goals, and kickoffs. All in all there are anywhere
from 30 - 60 players that combine to make a football team.
Soccer is a continuous sport. Meaning unlike football where you have set
plays and an offensive and defensive team, in soccer the ball is always going.
That being the case there are still offensive and defensive parts to the play of
soccer. One can tell whether a team is on the offensive or defensive by where
the ball is on the field. If the ball is on your side of the field then you are
on defensive, if it is on your opponent's side then you are on the
offensive.
Fan Size: Football vs. Soccer
Determining which sport has a greater or more loyal fan base is difficult.
Here in the United States American football by far has the larger fan base.
However, outside of the United States (and perhaps Canada) you do not hear much
about football, only soccer. Entire cities have been known to shut down for the
world cup, and yet the most watched event was last year's super bowl. One thing
is a fact. Both soccer and football have loyal fans that are not going
anywhere.
Conclusion
Soccer or Football? Well when it comes right down to it, you are choosing
between two very popular sports that will continue to gain momentum in the years
to come.
By: Wellington Wetwater
Two of the most beloved sports Football and Soccer have much in common.
Lately, many are wondering why there is such an international pull for soccer
while football remains an American sport. This articles intent is to bring out
some of the similarities and differences between soccer and football based on:
history, team size, and fan size.
History: Football vs. Soccer
Football is actually a relative from soccer. Though the date is unsure of
when the sport was first known to be played, there were many professional teams
starting to spring up in the late 1800s. It was not that much different from its
closer cousin rugby, but was showing some far different plays from soccer
already.
Here is an interesting fact. Soccer or "football" as is as known in most
European and South American Countries is actually the founder of both rugby and
football. The major disconnections occurred when the rules for soccer changed to
a "no hands" rule. At this point rugby was born. Later as rugby split into two
different kinds of play: traditional rugby which allows drop kick goals and more
footwork, and American football which has kickoffs and field goals (reminiscent
of its soccer days) tackling and hand offs (similar to rugby) and forward
passing, options, and other additions.
Soccer on the other hand has a long history, according to the Munich
Ethnological Museum there is a Chinese text dated around 50 B.C. talking about
"soccer" games in china. Though it is unsure how similar these games were to
what we know as soccer today.
Team Size: Football vs. Soccer
There is a tremendous size difference between football and soccer. In
football you not only have players that make up a team, but you have specific
teams within your team. There are three major teams that consist of a football
team: The offense, the defense, and special teams. Each one has a specific
objective. The offense with a quarterback, receivers, and guards' objective are
to score touchdowns, while the defensive team's job is to stop the opposing team
from scoring by tackling the quarterback, runners, or blocking passes. Special
teams deal with punts, field goals, and kickoffs. All in all there are anywhere
from 30 - 60 players that combine to make a football team.
Soccer is a continuous sport. Meaning unlike football where you have set
plays and an offensive and defensive team, in soccer the ball is always going.
That being the case there are still offensive and defensive parts to the play of
soccer. One can tell whether a team is on the offensive or defensive by where
the ball is on the field. If the ball is on your side of the field then you are
on defensive, if it is on your opponent's side then you are on the
offensive.
Fan Size: Football vs. Soccer
Determining which sport has a greater or more loyal fan base is difficult.
Here in the United States American football by far has the larger fan base.
However, outside of the United States (and perhaps Canada) you do not hear much
about football, only soccer. Entire cities have been known to shut down for the
world cup, and yet the most watched event was last year's super bowl. One thing
is a fact. Both soccer and football have loyal fans that are not going
anywhere.
Conclusion
Soccer or Football? Well when it comes right down to it, you are choosing
between two very popular sports that will continue to gain momentum in the years
to come.