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I'm new to the sport and would like to use this thread to ask some questions (Hence the title).

Question #1: It seems like teams don't try to get the ball to their best offensive player enough. Like during the Shalke VS R Madrid, Madrid didn't seem to give the ball to Ronaldo enough. That's just one example. Why is this? Is it just the way the game is structured, or is there some other reason?

It's hard for even the best players in the world to dribble past his defender, let alone a whole line of defence. This gets even harder when the defence sits deep and stays compact. Good passing is usually what unlocks the defence, and that's more about feeding the right player at the right time than forcing the ball to your star player and telling him to create something out of nothing. That said, if there was a soccer-equivalent of USG%, Ronaldo would probably lead it.

perfectly explained by 5DOM.

soccer is really different from, let's say basketball, because the field is much wider, there are a lot more players and the position your star player is playing is also important. if your star is a midfielder it is easier for him to have the ball more often, but he probably won't be the player to attack the goal the most. then there are players (strikers) who just wait for that one pass to score the ball, but don't get the ball all that often overall.

aside from insane goals like from maradonna or messi, where one player goes from the midfield, dribbles around 5 - 6 opponents and then scores, this just doesn't really happen all that often.

As 5DOM said, passing is crucial in the game of soccer.

Thanks for the answers! Here's another question: WTF is the deal with the officiating? What constitutes as a foul? Do all players flop? It seems to me like soccer has worse officiating and flopping than event the NBA (which is saying something).

5DOM summed it up nicely. I would just add the following.

5DOM wrote:Good passing plus off the ball movement is usually what unlocks the defence,

Giving the ball to Ronaldo or Messi outside the box and hoping they create something is akin to isolating LeBron or Kobe at the top of the key. It would probably be even less efficient.

PockyCandy wrote:Thanks for the answers! Here's another question: WTF is the deal with the officiating? What constitutes as a foul? Do all players flop? It seems to me like soccer has worse officiating and flopping than event the NBA (which is saying something).

An overwhelming majority of players flop, most of them dive, and lately, some of them have taken to leaving their legs or feet out unnaturally in order to draw contact they wouldn't otherwise draw from defenders. Referees exacerbate the problem by very often not calling a foul if a player does not fall, thus encouraging exaggeration. Most managers won't acknowledge a dive when it's a player of their own for fear of losing the dressing room.

FIFA's rulebook is surprisingly concise on fouls, which leaves much to interpretation. They usually deliver the interpretation to referees via lectures and seminars and such. As you become familiar with the game, you will comfortably get a handle on what is supposed to be called and what is not. It's easier to follow than say, the NFL, in that sense. However, they get less support from technology and tend to make unjustifiable calls in error more often.

I'd be fine with the flopping if all they did was flail around. But I find it to be ridiculous when a player is writhing on the grass in agony after a tough foul like his ankle has been broken, and then 20 seconds later is running around like nothing happened.

PockyCandy wrote:Thanks for the answers! Here's another question: WTF is the deal with the officiating? What constitutes as a foul? Do all players flop? It seems to me like soccer has worse officiating and flopping than event the NBA (which is saying something).

well no one flops more in any sport than james harden so a bit unfair to soccer.

really though, the problem is that there are a ton of refs because there is such a huge amount of games played around the world, and many of them are ****. Much like in basketball where theres only a few good ones who dont get the same recognition as the bad ones. it just seems worse in soccer becuase its happening on a grander scale. soccer probably does have a higher % of flopping though simply because its much easier to get away with it, the pitch is simply too big and theres too much going on for a ref to see everything at every angle, and for whatever reason the refs behind the goal are useless.

PockyCandy wrote:I'd be fine with the flopping if all they did was flail around. But I find it to be ridiculous when a player is writhing on the grass in agony after a tough foul like his ankle has been broken, and then 20 seconds later is running around like nothing happened.

well they do this because often they can trick the ref into giving out cards see: oscar vs. zlatan. its disgusting really.

you should also forget any other american sport when looking at soccer, they are really nothing alike. maybe hockey is i dont know ive never watched. like stars in basketball compared to stars in soccer are just completely different animals with completely different types of impact, dont try to translate what youre seeing into an american sport equivalent you will just confuse yourself. come at it with a fresh perspective and i promise you will enjoy the game a ton more.

Doormatt wrote:you should also forget any other american sport when looking at soccer, they are really nothing alike. maybe hockey is i dont know ive never watched. like stars in basketball compared to stars in soccer are just completely different animals with completely different types of impact, dont try to translate what youre seeing into an american sport equivalent you will just confuse yourself. come at it with a fresh perspective and i promise you will enjoy the game a ton more.

I've never watched hockey, but I do LOVE basketball. You are right that I should stop comparing the players of the two sports, I keep trying and it just confuses me.

Now for question 3: I'd like to find a team to root for, preferably from Premier League, since their on TV the most. I'd like it to be a team that scores a lot of goals, counter-attacks a ton, and plays very little\no defense. My google search skills suck, so I couldn't find a good answer online.

If you want to ignore the part about scoring a lot of goals and counter attacking, Villa are for you.

If you actually did find a team that plays no defense in the EPL you'd likely be watching them in the Championship the next season. Don't go for a big 4 team (Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, United) you'll be lumped in with all of their bandwagoners, Arsenal are probably on the fence in that respect too. I reckon someone like Tottenham, Southampton, Everton would suit you.

PockyCandy wrote:Now for question 3: I'd like to find a team to root for, preferably from Premier League, since their on TV the most. I'd like it to be a team that scores a lot of goals, counter-attacks a ton, and plays very little\no defense. My google search skills suck, so I couldn't find a good answer online.

Spurs are excellent for a new fan acclimating to the EPL, assuming you're okay with a bit of heartbreak too. We have the youngest starting line-up in the league but are still in fairly good position for a top four run, with two of the most exciting young players in the league with Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane. We've also conceded the most goals in the top half of the table.

As blkout said, Southampton and Everton are pretty good choices too, though Everton are struggling this season.

PockyCandy wrote:Now for question 3: I'd like to find a team to root for, preferably from Premier League, since their on TV the most. I'd like it to be a team that scores a lot of goals, counter-attacks a ton, and plays very little\no defense. My google search skills suck, so I couldn't find a good answer online.

I would not recommend picking a team based on style of play because that will inevitably change over time. With most teams it will change every year or two.

Also, a team which is not necessarily defensive in nature yet capable of counter-attacking with regularity is quite rare. In order to have space to move into quickly, you must give the ball up and draw the opponent into your half. Last year's Liverpool team is the only example i can think of.

Given your parameters, i'd say Manchester City's style would be most enjoyable to you at the moment.

So it sounds like Spurs (Tottenham?) is the choice. I really think that it would be boring to be a fan of a perennial powerhouse.

Question 4: Is soccer/football/whatever you want to call it the bigger in a country like England or Spain than (American) Football is over here?

PockyCandy wrote:So it sounds like Spurs (Tottenham?) is the choice. I really think that it would be boring to be a fan of a perennial powerhouse.

Question 4: Is soccer/football/whatever you want to call it the bigger in a country like England or Spain than (American) Football is over here?

It's like a religion for many people over here.

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Lol. You curse at me i don't care but if you curse at my team, i will destroy you.

It sounds like SEC college football down here in the south. It's been called a religion too.

I've heard that the soccer crowds will attack opposing fans, is this true?

PockyCandy wrote:It sounds like SEC college football down here in the south. It's been called a religion too.

I've heard that the soccer crowds will attack opposing fans, is this true?

Lmaoooo almost every time

DD12 wrote:

PockyCandy wrote:It sounds like SEC college football down here in the south. It's been called a religion too.

I've heard that the soccer crowds will attack opposing fans, is this true?

Lmaoooo almost every time

Oh my........

This thread just reminded me of myself like 8 months ago! I got caught up in the 2014 World Cup and since then I just couldn't stop watching soccer again.(stopped following it since 2011)

Now it's like I don't care that much about the NBA, at least this season (Bulls fan).

Contributing to the favorite team/favorite player topic, the players I liked the most in the World Cup were Hazard, James Rodriguez, Isco and Griezmann. Once the season started I just dedicated myself to follow them individually and that way I got to know more about their teams and what was going on between the leagues. What I'm trying to say is don't just settle for a particular team on your road to know more about soccer, watch some games every now and then and just get to know everything about it from the clubs' players to their team philosophy, that way you will end up identifying yourself with what you'll become a fan of! El futbol is a beautiful sport even with a 0-0 result.