Random Amateur Soccer Observations - Page 2

I've been playing soccer for 15 years now (I'm 22). My favorite sport to love (although not to watch).

I hate the flop artist and I agree with you on certain ethnicities being prone to flopping.

This is the case in most of the games I play. Be it in Las Vegas or even up at school. It's kind of crazy to find decent white players that don't think it's a sprint meet - kick the ball upfield and chase it. In my experience whites tend to pass the ball only upfield, rather than knock it around and use positioning to their advantage. It results in quick turnovers and a lot of racing up and down.

Then you have the soccer equivalent of "bros" - the ones who think they're Ronaldinho at his prime, trying to run through six or seven and then becoming despondent and frustrated when they inevitably lose the ball trying to do knee-juggles past a wall of defense. These are usually Latins with a chip on their shoulder.

My favorite guy to play with is actually a Korean studying here. He understands the pace of the game and how to shift play across the field, rather than the ball bouncing up and down a single sideline. Plus he's not afraid to put his foot through yours.

I think overall though, I prefer play with Latins than Whites because of the skill needed as opposed to pure physical prowess.

Just for reference I'm white. I see the opposite though. Alot of players around here try for perfect goals like they see on TV. They play with the ball way to much and try moves that they can't handle. The players who I see commit this the most are other ethnicities...mexicans especially. I think we have alot of soccer "bros" around me

What you're observing is simply a product of low-skilled play. I guess it's just our different perspectives but from mine, my latest competitive play was college club but I was with ODP for 5 years, there is basically no difference in how races play, at least none worth talking about. Coaches on the other hand...

The Beautiful Game!


*BTW, tackled = "checked"

Now that you've played it some, does it make watching any better/worse?

well, a tackle is an attempt to dispossess (i.e. other guy has the ball) - he can fall down or not. bumping into opposing player as you both are going for the ball is not a tackle (but it's not a 'check' either) - i think shoulder charge? or the highly technical but underutilized phrase "bumping into the other guy"...

'check' is for hockey or chess

I got into an actual fight in my last soccer match after I called this hispanic guy a puta after he dove like he was shot by a sniper when I barely brushed his shoulder.

I'm curious, what type of footballs do you use? Has anyone handled the Jabulani?

It feels great and has an incredible touch, even better than the previous FIFA balls imo. It does, however, go a bit wild on free kicks for some people. Apparently it's ultra-round, or something, so it dips and moves around when you kick it with no spin. Every ball will do it but the Jubalani does it more extreme because of the ultra-roundness. There really is no difference between the Jubulani and any other premium ball except for when you kick it with no spin, and that is minimal.

Personally, I think an older Brine ball ($50-90) is the way to go if you're on a budget

I was able to play with a real Jabulani once. I think I psyched myself out more because I knew it was the real deal, what with all the micro-grooves and whatnot. But it did seem to fly further and behave a little better in passing. Touch was a bit easier, I think.

Normally we play with a step down from those hi-end nike/adidas balls. The Match Replicas that still are decent, but aren't $150 a pop.

the basic idea of defending is stay on your feet, check the players you are marking stride for stride and nick the ball away. Most basic idea is to push him wide and to his weaker feet. Been playing this game since i was a teen but too bad , my knees aren't that good anymore