Being the internationalist <wink> that I am, it should come as no surprise to you that my favorite sport to play and watch is soccer. But, one has to understand the game to enjoy watching it. The same is true of baseball. And, knowledge also enhances the enjoyment of football and basketball as well, even if they are a little easier to appreciate.
I think soccer is the ideal "first sport" for children: 1. It strengthens the cardio-vascular system 2. Children rarely leave a game feeling like they have failed, personally. 3. It teaches the importance of cooperation and teamwork like no other sport I know. As for the chances for injury: low at the recational level; moderate compared to American football; on par, probably, with basketball and baseball. Translation: if a kid plays the sport competitively, sooner or later he will suffer a serious injury. I also appreciate the the refereeing practices. As a rule, fouls and violations are only called if 1) the foul itself gives one team the advantage over its opponent ( if the player with the ball is fouled but maintains control and continues on unimpeded, the foul would not be called); 2) the foul was clearly dangerous. I dislike the "offsides" rule -- a rule adopted because the U.S. insisted on it back in the 1930s, after it had won the World Cup -- although a slower team, like the U.S. was then, can use it to mount an effective defense. RBS ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --^---------------------------------------------------------------- This email was sent to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] TOPICA - Start your own email discussion group. FREE! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/create/index2.html --^----------------------------------------------------------------
