Let me preface this by stating I am not a soccer player. I played competitively when I was 9 and indoor intramural a few times in my 20s. However, I do not understand all the rules nor do I follow the sport regularly (or even at all). However, I have been watching a lot of World Cup.
Vuvuzela
While I do think it’s rather stupid to blow a horn for an entire 90 minute soccer game, I do not think they should be banned because they bother some spectators. If the athletes have an issue with them, then maybe I’d consider it.
Draw/Tie
This just shouldn’t be allowed in sport. And the World Cup takes it a step further and even awards 1 point to each team. Neither team succeeds in what they set out to do (win), and yet both teams are rewarded? If you do not pass go, you should not collect $200.
Flopping, whining & grimacing
This isn’t the only sport where it happens. Some NBA stars are notorious for it too. But I have zero respect for players who fall down, pretend to get tripped, roll on the ground grimacing in pain from a wimpy tackle and stop playing because they swore that guy was offsides.
If you want to be a cry baby, I heard Huggies has a new denin diaper with your name on the back.
Offsides
I’m pretty sure I understand the rule. I’m just not sure why the rule was created. If you do it in basketball, you still get the points. You might be labeled a cherry-picker, but the basket counts.
When you have you same number of players on your team, shouldn’t you be rewarded if you escape your defender? If the defense forgets to guard you, who cares if you are behind them or not. I call that a “good job,” and I would reward it with a goal that counts.
Celebration
Again, not the only sport where this takes place. However, I think many soccer players take it to the extreme.
I know there aren’t many goals scored in the average soccer game, but come on guys. Act like you’ve been there before. It’s like they immediately turn into a 5-year-old at Chuck E. Cheese as soon as the ball hits the net. Shirts come off. Arms turn into airplane wings. Grown men aimlessly fly from one side of the field to the other, only to be tackled by their teammates.
Be excited. Be happy. Pump up the crowd. Regain the momentum. But please keep the airplanes in the hangar.
Pushing & shoving on free kicks
I saw so much pushing & shoving on every free kick near the net in the last game I watched. If it continues to happen like that, it’s only a matter of time before someone pushes off, scores the winning goal, and everyone starts talking about instant replay.
The long, pointless goal kick
When your team is down, and time is running out, why give up possession by kicking the ball 3/4 of the way down the field, creating a jump ball situation? Wouldn’t you be much better off keeping possession? This might work every now and then, but I’ve probably seen 80-90% of them end up in possession for the opposing team.
If you have any others, or disagree with anything I’ve said, I’d love to open up the discussion.