The Beautiful Game, Part I
This is my first attempt at describing the best sport in the world: football, fuβball, fútbol, futebol, voetbal...and of course soccer. This game is often called "the beautiful game" and if you've ever seen a match involving the Brazilian national team, you'll know just how beautiful the game can be. I grew up on the "American" sports: baseball, basketball, football. Soccer was never known or discussed in my house or my city.
I never really considered sports as providing an outlet for artistic creativity, but the more I watch and play the more I'm convinced that soccer is an art form. The instincts required to play nearly require an artistic mind. When done correctly, I think soccer can probably be played blindfolded. You can feel the movement of the players, know how they are going to react, where they are going to be, and how the ball is going to bounce. The game can be played with straight-up skill, sharp passing, ball control, all of that, but that's not what makes it beautiful. It's the cross-overs, bicycle kicks, nutmegs, volleys, half-volleys, give-and-goes through defenders, and juggling. Just last weekend, I was watching the Man U game, and the left back hit a long ball into the right side of the box...Allan Smith was running down the right side then into the box, picked the ball out of mid-air with his right foot, knocking it over the defender toward the center of the box, took two steps to the left and fired a first-time half-volley with his left foot. The shot was saved, but the creativity involved was amazing! He could have made it easier by just trapping the ball and trying to make a move, but he decided to infuse some creativity with the skills involved, and it was truly awesome. Very few players, even at that level, can think fast enough to make these types of things work. I think this is why I've become so hooked on soccer...there are these moments and flashes of brilliance all the time and I just can't get enough. I sat front row at midfield when Real Madrid came to Chicago and was blessed with the most brilliant display of artistic expression I've ever seen live, and being that close made me appreciate it even more.
Cheers!
I never really considered sports as providing an outlet for artistic creativity, but the more I watch and play the more I'm convinced that soccer is an art form. The instincts required to play nearly require an artistic mind. When done correctly, I think soccer can probably be played blindfolded. You can feel the movement of the players, know how they are going to react, where they are going to be, and how the ball is going to bounce. The game can be played with straight-up skill, sharp passing, ball control, all of that, but that's not what makes it beautiful. It's the cross-overs, bicycle kicks, nutmegs, volleys, half-volleys, give-and-goes through defenders, and juggling. Just last weekend, I was watching the Man U game, and the left back hit a long ball into the right side of the box...Allan Smith was running down the right side then into the box, picked the ball out of mid-air with his right foot, knocking it over the defender toward the center of the box, took two steps to the left and fired a first-time half-volley with his left foot. The shot was saved, but the creativity involved was amazing! He could have made it easier by just trapping the ball and trying to make a move, but he decided to infuse some creativity with the skills involved, and it was truly awesome. Very few players, even at that level, can think fast enough to make these types of things work. I think this is why I've become so hooked on soccer...there are these moments and flashes of brilliance all the time and I just can't get enough. I sat front row at midfield when Real Madrid came to Chicago and was blessed with the most brilliant display of artistic expression I've ever seen live, and being that close made me appreciate it even more.
Cheers!
13 Comments:
At 2:20 PM,
KULA said…
I'm always happy when I find other people who have such appreciation for the game.
I play soccer at least once a week, most of the year. It is quite an art (maybe not the way I play), and a good work out.
At 3:14 PM,
Rocco said…
I've always played tennis, baseball, and basketball, but after watching so much soccer, I finally took it up a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, I'm still at the beginner level, but it's definately a fun sport to play. I'm with you...it's not very artistic when I play either!
At 6:34 PM,
KULA said…
I was just being modest - I rock this world :)
Ok, maybe not. I started playing when I was young. I also played tennis and basketball growing up. I'm at a beginner level in softball though.
I don't know if you're actually in Chicago, but you should go to Fire games, they're fun! Well, it's the playoffs, but hopefully they'll beat DC United tomorrow and will advance to the next playoff round.
At 12:47 AM,
Rocco said…
Yeah, I'm in Chicago, and I have season tickets to the Fire, but my favorite team is DC UNITED! So it looks like we'll be pulling for opposite teams tomorrow.
At 3:20 AM,
KULA said…
Uh oh... we're on opposite side... well, me and a friend we'll be watching the game, and I guess you and I will be cheering for different teams... why are you cheering for DC United?
This was hard to type, after all the partying!
At 10:13 AM,
Rocco said…
DC's always been my favorite team since the MLS started. They were always on TV, got to learn the players names, and they won alot. I wasn't in Chicago at the time and besides, Chicago didn't have a team yet.
At least you got an extra hour of partying due to the time change!
At 12:21 PM,
KULA said…
Getting an extra hour of partying wasn't that great actually. Trust me, my head is telling me so with all the pounding!
At 7:10 PM,
Rocco said…
My head is pounding after watching the poor display of DC United against the Fire. BOOOOOOOO. Oh well, on the bright side, I've got tickets to watch another game this season!
At 1:13 AM,
KULA said…
Ok, I was being nice and didn't rub it in. What game are you talking about? I didn't think they were coming back here. I thought the semi-finals are only one game, and it's going to be in New England?
At 6:49 AM,
Rocco said…
Sure 'nough, I guess I read the schedule wrong. It looks like I'm a Revs fan for this week...
At 8:33 AM,
KULA said…
Why can't you cheer for the Fire now that your team is out? You should want them to win the whole thing now, so you can say "oh, my team lost to the eventual champ, so it wasn't too embarrassing to lose 4-0."
At 10:10 AM,
Rocco said…
Cheering for the Fire is like cheering for the Cubs...I just can't bring myself to do it!
At 10:50 AM,
KULA said…
Oh god, you're killing me! I will pretend I didn't just read that.
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