Soccer is boring

[jemathonical]

Ok I just saw about 5 minutes of a professional soccer game in the Olympics between Cameroon and Italy. Now you would think that a game of this standard would be some of the best soccer around. But I sat there for 5 minutes and watched the 4 defenders slowly kick a ball around, not even looking for a way to score. It bored me.

 

I used to play soccer as a youngin' before the town comp died out and it is the funnest game to play and at the moment I'd rather go and watch a junior game then a professional game.

 

 

 

The players are paid way too much to not play soccer. I'd love to get paid 3 million dollars a year to kick a ball around. I think the rules of soccer need to change. Have a shot clock or something. Something to break the monotony. It is no wonder the fans riot, I would too if I paid good money to sit and watch them kick the ball around.

[Alex_Ewan_1]

Some people enjoy different sports to others.

 

 

 

You do not like football(soccer). This is fine, but let others enjoy it in peace.

[jemathonical]

Some people enjoy different sports to others.

 

 

 

You do not like football(soccer). This is fine, but let others enjoy it in peace.

 

 

 

I enjoy soccer, just that some things need to change to make it a high scoring game, and some better entertainment

[Johannas]

Soccer in the olympics is very poor, the best action in the game would come from the "Euro" tournament which is held every 2 years and the "World cup" which is held every 4 years.

 

It's a very interesting game actually, and i love the way the style of play variates in different countries.

 

Unfortunately the game is ruined in many aspects, but it's still a generally exciting sport to watch.

 

In England, some players are payed well over double your estimated figure which is one aspect of the game that ruins it. It would be nice to have a good international team here in England - but we never will, because all of our top teams bring in foregin players that have priority over the younger players that we should be building up to be in our international squad.

 

 

 

Fans riot because of hate for other teams, not for the "monotony" of soccer as you call it. The idea of changing the rules is silly aswell, just before you watch 5 minutes of soccer and critisize the game, watch 4 or 5 seasons of soccer and then maybe your opinion will change.

[Korla]

Soccer at the Olympics is NOT some of the best soccer around. Traditionally international teams do not send their top players, and the best international clubs do not let their best players leave even if they for some reason felt they wanted to. This has changed a little bit just this year, with Brazil and Argentina suddenly deciding they wanted to bring their best teams, but other than from those two countries I don't think you'll see some of the game's finest.

 

 

 

That being said, I can understand how it sometimes seems boring, but it's a tactical part of the game to force the losing team to put a high pressure on the defenders controlling the ball, so that the opposing team has to move forward. I'd even be so bold as to claim that the reason football (I'm european) has such an incredible dynamic, is the LACK of a shot-clock or so, and if there ever was an open debate as to wether to add one or not, I'd be very much against it.

 

 

 

See, the difference between football and some other sports, basketball and handball come to mind, is the way offensive play can arise in so many ways. The quick counter-attack from an overextension of the offensive play, the steady build-up from great midfield passing, and even the sort of handball attacks where you roll the ball on the opposing field and force the defenders into bad positions.

 

 

 

Now, with a shot-clock, however, the best way to defend would be to just fall back with 11 men. Just pile them up, meaning all the technical, tactical and physical excellence needed right now would be echanged with a bunch of brutes trying to force the ball into goal. That's my opinion.

 

 

 

So, if you want to watch some great, dynamic, fast-paced football, go watch the English Premier League, or perhaps the Spanish Primera Division. There you'll see the best players in the world and the best teams, not the Olympics which always has been a tournament to which countries send their U-21 teams.

[Returned3]

Whoever told you that a soccer match in the Olympics would possibly be some of the "best soccer around"?

 

 

 

The Soccer Olympics are usually left for newer stars who will build their career and are mostly under 23. You would definitely not see guys like Ronaldo, Henry or even Zidane at an Olympics soccer as soccer in the olympics dosent really mean anything to them. Countries usually use their "weaker" players to gain experience for the "Big Leagues" such as Euro or World Cup.

 

 

 

If you wanna watch an entertaining soccer match, I'd advise watching leagues such as the EPL (Which starts this Saturday btw) or La Liga etc. Heck, you could even wait 2 years to watch the World Cup 2010, theres where you will truly see all the stars come and shine.

 

 

 

Bottomline: If you expect to watch a soccer match in the Olympics and come out satisfied, I'd suggest you not watch it. Soccer just isnt meant to be in the Olympics...

[Ginger_Warrior]

Firstly, you aren't actually paid to compete in the Olympics, other than to cover training (etc.). Representing your country is a just reward.

 

 

 

Football at the Olympic Games has never been as good as football in the Premier League or any of the other European leagues. That's always been the case. It's two teams going out to defend so they don't lose, and score a goal on the counter. Makes for a dull game. same goes for the World Cup and the EURO cup.

 

 

 

Personally, I can't see why football is even in the Olympic Games. There's no set criteria for an event to be included, but football receives more than its fair share of media attention and global publicity. Compared to a sport like Archery which has practically no attention, it simply does not need the Olympics to survive. Plus we have a World Cup, which frankly makes the Olympics redundant. :?

 

 

 

There are more exciting sports out there. But a Liverpool vs. Man Utd derby at Old Trafford can hardly be described as dull.

 

 

 

If you're talking actual rules: bring substitutions back down to 2, and only have 2 spare players on the bench. That'll get rid of the 'tactical' play that chokes this game. Reduce the amount of players to make more space to play the ball.

[BlueLancer]

Firstly, you aren't actually paid to compete in the Olympics, other than to cover training (etc.). Representing your country is a just reward.

 

 

 

Everything gets rewarded in the olympics; Even target shooting 3rd places pay up to tens of thousands of dollars. It's probably a much bigger sum for the 3 best olympic soccer teams due to the sports' popularity.

 

 

 

But it's true you don't get anything for "just being there". If your team doesn't play well or win anything, you get paid squat. Free experience though.

[jemathonical]

If you're talking actual rules: bring substitutions back down to 2, and only have 2 spare players on the bench. That'll get rid of the 'tactical' play that chokes this game. Reduce the amount of players to make more space to play the ball.

 

 

 

I think it would be worth a try to bring in a variation of soccer, like maybe 8 players with little subs - to make for a more free flowing game. Kinda like what was done with cricket when they brought in the Twenty20.

[Ginger_Warrior]

If you're talking actual rules: bring substitutions back down to 2, and only have 2 spare players on the bench. That'll get rid of the 'tactical' play that chokes this game. Reduce the amount of players to make more space to play the ball.

 

 

 

I think it would be worth a try to bring in a variation of soccer, like maybe 8 players with little subs - to make for a more free flowing game. Kinda like what was done with cricket when they brought in the Twenty20.

 

It's also worked well with Rugby 7s (which perhaps would even make a better event than football in the Olympics). That's certainly made Rugby Union more exciting. I don't see why not.

 

 

 

Try persuading the FA, the managers, the clubs, the players and the fans that though. The amount of conservatism in football makes any change near impossible. Everyone's already up in arms about the 'Respect' for referees campaign and it's only had one game! :roll:

[misterxman]

The sport I think is boring to watch is American Football.

 

 

 

Here's how it went when I last tried to watch it:

 

 

 

5 minutes of watching guys set up on the field with sports commentary.

 

15 seconds of actual play and trying to figure out where the ball went.

 

5 minutes of "recap commentary" while the new set up is made, with close zoom shots of the coaches and random players walking around the field.

 

Repeat.

[BlueLancer]

The sport I think is boring to watch is American Football.

 

 

 

Here's how it went when I last tried to watch it:

 

 

 

5 minutes of watching guys set up on the field with sports commentary.

 

15 seconds of actual play and trying to figure out where the ball went.

 

5 minutes of "recap commentary" while the new set up is made, with close zoom shots of the coaches and random players walking around the field.

 

Repeat.

 

 

 

I still don't understand how Superbowl is watched by like 40% of the entire american population when it's aired. Watching american football on TV must be the most boring thing you can use a television for.

 

 

 

Watching live is somewhat bearable though. Soccer has nothing on AF in terms of boredom; At least in soccer you have to keep the ball moving all the time, and a goalkeeper can even get yellow/red carded for keeping the ball for longer than some 10-15 seconds.

 

 

 

I'm actually rooting for some teams (would make a few bucks with Colts/NE Patriots winning this year), it's just that you're dead on. I can't stand watching it on TV either.

[Faux]

Soccer has nothing on baseball. I've been to a couple of games and the most interesting part is probably... [bleep] I can't even come up with one.

[Furah]

Some people enjoy different sports to others.

 

 

 

You do not like football(soccer). This is fine, but let others enjoy it in peace.

 

 

 

I enjoy soccer, just that some things need to change to make it a high scoring game, and some better entertainment

 

 

 

light the soccerball on fire? that will have an entertainment value

[BlueLancer]

Soccer has nothing on baseball. I've been to a couple of games and the most interesting part is probably... [bleep] I can't even come up with one.

 

 

 

Heh, you should've been watching this game last night.. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/boxscore?gid=280812102

 

 

 

Friggin' insane. Red Sox made 10 runs just in the first inning. Some crappier teams in MLB don't get 10 runs in 5 *matches*.

[Faux]

I can't watch baseball on TV. The only reason why I can stomach it is if I'm with my friends down in the stadium.

 

 

 

One of the games I went to was an Oakland game and the game went on for some extra innings because they kept matching each others 0 or 1 runs.

[The Observer]

I find that ice hockey is full of action. When you watch NHL games, you'll see plenty of hits, shots, and more. Those sports need to be kind of more like that.

[warren211]

I was never a big fan of soccer (or most TV sports for that matter, besides the Olympics. They bore me) but soccer is rather fun to watch even for me. Even if the US isn't playing, I don't care who's winning, I cheer for both teams. Whether its Olympic or Euro soccer, it's great fun to watch. Maybe personal opinions differ, but I have no problem with whatever tactics they use. Maybe they're tired from all the running and use a slower play to cool off?

[angryjoe]

Just watched China-Brazil on the BBC website and it was a decent game to watch tbh.

[hellbellz]

The sport I think is boring to watch is American Football.

 

 

 

Here's how it went when I last tried to watch it:

 

 

 

5 minutes of watching guys set up on the field with sports commentary.

 

15 seconds of actual play and trying to figure out where the ball went.

 

5 minutes of "recap commentary" while the new set up is made, with close zoom shots of the coaches and random players walking around the field.

 

Repeat.

 

Don't know where the ball goes? Damn.

 

 

 

I'm in love with (American) football, it used to be my life. People love the sport because they love the drama and excitement. This year's Superbowl, the Giants were down by 4 points with 1:15 left on the clock, at the Patriots 17. That means Eli Manning had to get that ball 83 yards down the field in that small amount of time. Sorry to get off topic, but I just had to give an example to tell you Europeans how exciting that game is. :]

[1_man_army]

Soccer in the olympics is very poor, the best action in the game would come from the "Euro" tournament which is held every 2 years and the "World cup" which is held every 4 years.

 

 

 

 

The Euro's are every 4 years as well, it works so there is one or the other every 2 years ie. Euro 2008 the World Cup 2010.

[RichieMcD]

I think the amount of money involved has ruined soccer completely. It seems every time a player scores a goal he spends half the next minute running around the pitch jumping on half the team, why can't he just highfive some of his teammates and get his [wagon] back to the halfway line and play on like they do in a lot of sports where little money is involved?

 

 

 

I've been turned off Soccer by the amount of showboating and lack of professionalism involved, if a person is getting twice the average yearly wage of the common person per week I want to see them acting with some goddamn professionalism.

 

 

 

I played Soccer for the last 6 years, it's good fun to watch and play when no money is involved, but I refuse to watch any major tournaments now like the Champions League / Premiership / Seria A / La Liga etc etc.

 

 

 

Rugby is so much more interesting of a game to watch IMO.

[BlueLancer]

 

I've been turned off Soccer by the amount of showboating and lack of professionalism involved, if a person is getting twice the average yearly wage of the common person per week I want to see them acting with some goddamn professionalism.

 

 

 

 

Sure, everyone "wants" to make good money like 80,000$ per week... But a lot of pro-footall players are almost kids. Some professionals even in Serie A or Premier League are just 17 to 21 years old. You can't expect them to be steel-tough professionals, they have a lot of emotion involved and can be unstable sometimes.

 

 

 

They're practically coerced into joining a good team by a manager, even if they DID want to continue with a worse, local team. They will be told how big of a mistake they're making by not moving in, that they will waste their life & sports career etc... Players don't dictate those salaries, the clubs who desperately need young new talent practically shove it down their throat.

[Kenshinjapan]

Firstly, you aren't actually paid to compete in the Olympics, other than to cover training (etc.). Representing your country is a just reward.

 

 

 

Football at the Olympic Games has never been as good as football in the Premier League or any of the other European leagues. That's always been the case. It's two teams going out to defend so they don't lose, and score a goal on the counter. Makes for a dull game. same goes for the World Cup and the EURO cup.

 

 

 

Personally, I can't see why football is even in the Olympic Games. There's no set criteria for an event to be included, but football receives more than its fair share of media attention and global publicity. Compared to a sport like Archery which has practically no attention, it simply does not need the Olympics to survive. Plus we have a World Cup, which frankly makes the Olympics redundant. :?

 

 

 

There are more exciting sports out there. But a Liverpool vs. Man Utd derby at Old Trafford can hardly be described as dull.

 

 

 

If you're talking actual rules: bring substitutions back down to 2, and only have 2 spare players on the bench. That'll get rid of the 'tactical' play that chokes this game. Reduce the amount of players to make more space to play the ball.

 

 

 

True you aren't being paid, but is that the only reason that these people play? The Olympics calls the best athletes in the world to gather every 4 years in 1 place. By doing so, the best of the best are determined. Well, I'm confused as to why these players wouldn't want to be considered the best players of the sport.

 

 

 

Also, why bother putting sports like soccer and and basketball in the Olympics when they already have their own tournaments to decide the best teams every year? Just baffled my family when these were implemented a few olympics back.

[deloriagod]

The sport I think is boring to watch is American Football.

 

 

 

Here's how it went when I last tried to watch it:

 

 

 

5 minutes of watching guys set up on the field with sports commentary.

 

15 seconds of actual play and trying to figure out where the ball went.

 

5 minutes of "recap commentary" while the new set up is made, with close zoom shots of the coaches and random players walking around the field.

 

Repeat.

 

 

 

I still don't understand how Superbowl is watched by like 40% of the entire american population when it's aired. Watching american football on TV must be the most boring thing you can use a television for.

 

 

 

 

I don't understand how anyone watches the Superbowl either. I go to Superbowl parties but I only go to hang out with friends or whatnot.. I could care less about the game. Actually, the only sport I can stand to watch is basketball and the only time I watch that is if our high school team goes to state. :-k