# Soccer ... \*YAWN\* **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [June 21, 2018, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505 "2018-06-21T13:38:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/21 "2018-06-21T15:25:37Z")
A good soccer game is entertaining if there’s nothing else on. Like…golf or curling, maybe badminton. For me it’s like hockey. I don’t understand the game, so I don’t know where to look for the entertainment. Playoff hockey, where everyone involved is top tier and just plain exciting to watch, is good with me though. American football I have played and understand, so I really enjoy watching it played well but I can see why someone might think it’s boring. It’s gotta be right up there with baseball in terms of a low action/standing around ratio. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/22 "2018-06-21T15:27:35Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > Ah, thank you,\*\* Jasmine\*\*! > > The every-four-years thread was late this time. I don’t think we’ve had the “I, who knows nothing about the game, propose some really ill-thought-out rule changes” one yet. Plenty time for it yet though 😉 ---
**Author:** ![flip-68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e99b99/32.png) [@flip-68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flip-68)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/23 "2018-06-21T15:31:13Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > No, no; **foot** ball is the game you play mostly with your hands, and soccer is the game you play mostly with your feet. 😃 **foot** ball is a game where you kick a ball with your **foot** - you’re thinking of another game entirely, handegg or something 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/24 "2018-06-21T15:38:52Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > No, **foot** ball is the game of 130kg fatties who need 40kg of protective gear to play rugby since they are worried they may crack a nail. > [@flip-68](#): > > **foot** ball is a game where you kick a ball with your **foot** - you’re thinking of another game entirely, handegg or something 🙂 On a _proper_ football team there are two players, the punter & the placekicker, whose primary job is to kick the ball…with their foot. Of course, the player’s weight is measured in lbs. When you measure in kgs, the weight conversion makes it an entirely different game. It’s one of those space/time continuum things. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/25 "2018-06-21T15:49:56Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Does anyone besides me find soccer to be boring as hell? It always mystifies me when people proudly announce their ignorance on a subject. I’m not a soccer fan. I also find it boring to watch. But it is the most popular sport in the world, with 4 billion fans. So I have to conclude that it is not intrinsically boring. It’s just that I don’t know enough about it to see the things that make it interesting. I watch soccer mostly during the World Cup (because I would like to understand it better), or when Panama has a critical game in some tournament (so I know why the people around me are elated or depressed:)). The last time around, watching some of the key games, I did begin to get an inkling of the strategy, and what the different players were doing, and why it might be interesting and exciting even when a goal wasn’t imminent. Fine if you don’t like baseball, or basketball, or chess, or ballet, or on-line gaming, or whatever. But announcing the fact to the world seems pretty pointless. I actually think it’s defensiveness. Confronted by the fact that one doesn’t understand the appeal of something that others find interesting, it’s easier to attribute it to some intrinsic feature of the activity rather than one’s own ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/26 "2018-06-21T16:08:39Z")
I’ve got a list a mile long of things I find boring and pointless that other people find interesting. You know what I don’t do? Start threads about topics that I find boring and pointless. If I thought watching soccer was boring and pointless (and full disclosure, I absolutely do), I’d ignore threads about soccer and I wouldn’t start threads on soccer. Now, back to the discussion of whether the Glorfindel from Fellowship of the Rings is the same Glorfindel from the Silmarillion, or a different elf with the same name. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/27 "2018-06-21T16:15:43Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > It always mystifies me when people proudly announce their ignorance on a subject. And it always mystifies me when someone makes an assumption/judgment of their own, assigns it to another person, and then criticizes them for it. It’s much akin to a “Strawman Argument”. I said that _I_ find it boring as hell. Compared to the action of the NFL, NHL, and NBA, it’s dead to me. That’s the way I feel about the sport. I didn’t say it was worthless and should be expunged from the planet just because _I_ don’t like it. By the way, many of the countries that embrace soccer never had another major sport to embrace or compare it to. It became king by default. The reason soccer has not become huge in this country is that we DO have other major, established sports to which to compare it. Evidence would indicate that it palls in the comparison. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/28 "2018-06-21T16:19:19Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Does anyone besides me find soccer to be boring as hell? If you find soccer boring, I _really_ suggest you skip the Cricket World Cup next year! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/29 "2018-06-21T16:20:37Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I’ve got a list a mile long of things I find boring and pointless that other people find interesting. You know what I don’t do? Start threads about topics that I find boring and pointless. > > If I thought watching soccer was boring and pointless (and full disclosure, I absolutely do), I’d ignore threads about soccer and I wouldn’t start threads on soccer. > > Now, back to the discussion of whether the Glorfindel from Fellowship of the Rings is the same Glorfindel from the Silmarillion, or a different elf with the same name. Was this the Glorfindel who played stiker, or the wide receiver one? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/30 "2018-06-21T16:22:13Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > I said that _I_ find it boring as hell. Compared to the action of the NFL, NHL, and NBA, it’s dead to me. That’s the way I feel about the sport. I didn’t say it was worthless and should be expunged from the planet just because _I_ don’t like it. I suppose this forum is for the Mundane and Pointless, so I guess you’re entitled to post your opinion here.😉 I just don’t understand the motivation. > [@](#): > > By the way, many of the countries that embrace soccer never had another major sport to embrace or compare it to. It became king by default. The reason soccer has not become huge in this country is that we DO have other major, established sports to which to compare it. Evidence would indicate that it palls in the comparison. Although you denied it, here you are claiming there is something intrinsic about soccer that makes it less appealing than any other sport. By this argument, American football should never have become established against baseball in the US. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/31 "2018-06-21T16:23:55Z")
> [@GreenWyvern](#): > > If you find soccer boring, I _really_ suggest you skip the Cricket World Cup next year! 😃 _crickets_ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/32 "2018-06-21T16:24:12Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > By the way, many of the countries that embrace soccer never had another major sport to embrace or compare it to. It became king by default. The reason soccer has not become huge in this country is that we DO have other major, established sports to which to compare it. Evidence would indicate that it palls in the comparison. Really? Give me examples! ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/33 "2018-06-21T16:26:56Z")
What makes soccer boring to me is the passing. Wide open player A kicks ball to wide open player B, who then kicks it to wide open player C. No opposing player is even nearby to block or intercept. Every other similar sport there’s a constant fight for control of the ball. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/34 "2018-06-21T16:27:03Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I suppose this forum is for the Mundane and Pointless, so I guess you’re entitled to post your opinion here.😉 I just don’t understand the motivation. OP did start a separate thread, rather than threadshitting a football thread - that’s the classy way to do it if you do feel the urge. ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/35 "2018-06-21T16:30:01Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > What makes soccer boring to me is the passing. Wide open player A kicks ball to wide open player B, who then kicks it to wide open player C. No opposing player is even nearby to block or intercept. Every other similar sport there’s a constant fight for control of the ball. That’s the defense holding their shape. If a defender runs out of position it creates a hole in the defense which can be exploited. In the last few minutes of a match if a team is behind they might swarm the ball because its worth the risk of giving up a counterattack goal to take the ball away and attack. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/36 "2018-06-21T16:31:33Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Does anyone besides me find soccer to be boring as hell? > > Yesterday’s World Cup results: > > Portugal 1, Morocco 0 > > Uraguay 1, Saudi Arabia 0 > > Spain 1, Iran 0 > > Up the field and down the field and up the field and down the field and up the field and … ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ Wow! Three major blow-outs in one day! ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/37 "2018-06-21T16:34:34Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Wow! Three major blow-outs in one day! The old Papacy vs Sultanry wars being refought in the 21st century. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/38 "2018-06-21T16:35:50Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > By the way, many of the countries that embrace soccer never had another major sport to embrace or compare it to. It became king by default. The reason soccer has not become huge in this country is that we DO have other major, established sports to which to compare it. Evidence would indicate that it palls in the comparison. If you want to stick to your personal opinion that it’s boring, no problem. But now you’re trying to use convoluted logic to argue that it’s _objectively_ a worse sport, which is just silly when it’s by far the most popular sport in the world by viewership. Are you suggesting that the sport’s 4 billion global viewers are unconsciously harboring a desire to watch American football instead, if only they had the chance? Perhaps if we set up a series of tubes, to allow everyone to watch the Superbowl live, it would turn things around? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/39 "2018-06-21T16:36:37Z")
I once had an attitude like the OP. Then I became friends with a bunch of people who were really into it. Their enthusiasm didn’t really have much of an effect on me, until they brought over a copy of FIFA 99 or 2000 for Playstation and I inexplicably kicked their asses, all day long. The point is, you won’t like soccer, or anything else for that matter, until you find an angle that makes it interesting to _you_. For me, it was videogames. Frankly, I still occasionally find watching soccer to be a bit tedious, like I couldn’t watch more than one game in a sitting, but even so, I _get it_. Granted, there may not be such an angle for everyone. As much as I played the shit out of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 on the Wii, you still couldn’t pay me to watch golf on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2018, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505/40 "2018-06-21T16:37:13Z")
> [@sciurophobic](#): > > What makes soccer boring to me is the passing. Wide open player A kicks ball to wide open player B, who then kicks it to wide open player C. No opposing player is even nearby to block or intercept. Every other similar sport there’s a constant fight for control of the ball. It was much worse before the goalkeeper back-pass rule, when a team could just kick to their own goalie all day long. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soccer-yawn/816505.md?page=3)