The 2010 World Cup came to an end on Sunday with Spain taking home the ultimate prize. The game wasn't particularly fun to watch so I decided to bypass a game summary and go in a different direction.
I was telling my wife the other day that one of the reasons I was loving the World Cup was because of all the cool soccer terms. She responded with a skeptical, "like what?" Of course I could only come up with 1 or 2 under pressure. So here is my list after having some time to think about it.
Diving Header- A good combination of excitement. Scoring with a goal with your head is enough to amaze me, but diving at the same time is extraordinary.
Crackling shot- You here this one occasionally when a ball is well struck.
Counter Attack- An exciting play when the advantage suddenly shifts from the attacking team to the team that was defending but now has an opportunity to score.
First Touch- The critical ability of a player to control the ball in a variety of different ways the moment it reaches their foot.
Golden Boot- Awarded to the top scorer in the World Cup.
The Pitch- I like when words have completely different meanings when used in different sports.
A smashing drive- Similar to a "crackling shot."
Offside (not offsides)- This is the first critical rule to understand when beginning to watch soccer.
What a lovely ball- Usually reserved for a cross in front of the goal or a pass that otherwise sets up an opportunity to get a good shot on goal.
Bicycle Kick- It is rarely successful or practical, but cool none the less.
Put it in the upper 90- When a striker puts the ball in one of the top corners of the goal.
The Wall- Fun to look at and fun to say. The Wall.
Onion Bag- You gotta love when someone puts the ball in the back of the onion bag.
Stoppage Time- "The one thing in soccer that makes sense" according to my wife.
Cards- This is more of a cool concept than a cool term. I recently suggested to my co-workers that we start bringing red and yellow cards to our weekly meetings. They could be used when someone says something ridiculous or out of line (since that happens somewhat frequently). Two yellow cards and you have to sit out the next meeting. One red card and you are immediately required to leave the meeting.
Here are a few other things that I have loved about the World Cup:
-I love the start of the game. When both teams come out together and stand side by side as each team sings along with their National Anthem. I love that moment.
-I like that players go crazy when they score a goal. If the celebration is among team mates and they aren't showing up the other team, I think it is great.
-I also love the end of the game. The exchange of jerseys as a sign of respect is a tradition that I would love to see carried over to other sports.
-Speaking of cool traditions; I've been following Everton FC, so I'm not a Liverpool fan, but I have to admit that they have a pretty awesome tradition. The singing of "You'll Never Walk Alone" gives me chills. Enjoy.
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ReplyDeleteOkay, let me try again.
ReplyDeleteTwo thoughts:
1. Wouldn't handing out flags and kicking people out of meetings encourage the behavior you're trying to eliminate? (I know a lot of meetings people would love to be disqualified from attending).
2. The singing is great! I think it shows how people want to be part of something bigger than themselves and community (whether it is soccer, a gang, or church), provides that.
Keep up the good work.
-I think that our meetings may be an exception. They are usually an excuse for all of us to crawl out from our piles of work to make jokes together for a few minutes. Come to think of it, maybe that is our way of being a part of something bigger than ourselves and our individual tasks.
ReplyDelete-I thought the singing clip was pretty cool. You usually don't see things like that at sporting events in America.