Compare soccer in Brazil and football in America - Essay Example

Subsequently, rugby originating from England’s rugby school crossed the Atlantic to America, and developed into the sport of American football. The purpose of this paper is to compare different aspects of Brazilian soccer and American football. Comparison of Brazilian Soccer and American Football According to Bellos (2009), the world-famous game of Brazilian soccer is significant for the immese skills of its individual players, which surpass team tactics. Rather than physical challenges or long-distance passes, dribbles and flicks are preferred, and players’ techniques have all the elements of dance.

Thus, Brazilian soccer is made up of a combination of athletes and artists. Not only the rest of the world, but Brazilians also define themselves by their Soccer. Bellos (2009) observes that the game symbolizes racial harmony, flamboyance, youth, innovation, and skill, and is also a microcosm of the country itself, including its contradictions. American football is an all-action team sport, states Gifford (2009). The development of the National Football League of professional players, did not affect the popularity of college football throughout the United States.

The teams in major colleges have considerable fan following, and the game is played in very large stadiums, thereby providing financial support for the game. Both sports have eleven players on each side. The most apparent difference between soccer and American football is that in soccer the ball is kicked by the players who are not allowed to use their hands for playing; while only the goalkeeper is allowed to handle the ball (Goncalves, 1998). Jeromski (2010) supports this, stating that “in soccer the hands are strictly forbidden from touching the ball, while in American football they are an integral part of ball movement”.

Thus, American football permits the throwing of the ball. A lot of practice is required for throwing the ball successfully. (Gifford, 2009, p.16) explains that “the thrower steps forward, turning his hips and shoulders to face the target. The ball is released with a flick of the wrist to help it spin and travel smoothly towards its target”. Further, soccer balls are round in shape; while American football uses oval-shaped balls. In soccer, a goal is scored by putting the ball into a net made up of two posts and a crossbar, and is worth one point (Woods & Owen, 2011).

Similarly, in American football, a touch down is scored at the end zone, over a touch-line. Thus, when a receiver catches a ball from a quarterback, he avoids getting tackled, and runs into the end zone. This touchdown is worth 6 points, and is the score that the players aim for. According to Gifford (2009, p.8), “despite its name, a touchdown does not mean that the ball has to touch the ground. To score, a player must carry the ball into the end zone or catch it in the end zone”. Further, in a soccer game, the play is open, fluid and continuous; on the other hand in a game of American football, “the teams move down the field in increments, one play at a time” (Jeromski, 2010).

A soccer game extends for a total of over 90 minutes (Goncalves, 1998), and is divided into two halves. On the other hand, a game of American football lasts for a total of just 60 minutess, and consists of four 15-minute-long quarters. However, the full game may extend to three to four hours, if overtime is played between teams