Soccer Tips
for New Fans
Like any sport, soccer is confusing to watch
if you never played it yourself or you didn’t
grow up watching it. Here are a few things you
can do to learn more about the game.
1. Read about the basics.
Here are a few sites you should visit to learn
more about the game:
-1a.Online:
SportSpectator Fan’s
Guide to Soccer: Our 10-minute guide to soccer
basics.
Wikipedia
Soccer Write-up: Good wiki community write-up
on soccer.
-1b. Consider buying one or several of the following
books:
Soccer
for Dummies
The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Soccer
2. Watch televised games. The
commentary makes the game much easier to follow
and will help you pick up the lingo. Commentators
use the language and provide analysis that will
help you learn. Watching games live at the stadium
or on the field is a slower learning process.
Soccer runs throughout the year on cable television.
MLS runs April-November. You can also follow the
men's or women's national team by checking out
the national
team schedule.
3. Pick a team and follow its progress.
Games are much more fun to watch when you have
“your team” and you know the players,
record, etc. Major League Soccer (MLS) is the
men's professional league. Visit the MLS
site to learn more about the 12 MLS teams or visit
US Soccer
to read about the national team. Local newspapers
will also provide good coverage of local teams
(usually high school, college, and pro.).
4. Watch a game with a player
(current or former). At a tournament, there is
plenty of time to watch games with coaches or
players. Watch a competitor's game while you have
a break. Also, at high school games, there are
usually multiple levels (frosh soph, j.v., varsity)
that play on the same day. Come early or stay
late and watch the game with someone who can answer
your questions.
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