soccer experience essay

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How to Write a Killer College Essay About Soccer

By Eric Eng

Ah, soccer essays. The subject of much debate in the world of college admissions. We know what you’re thinking. “How could something as seemingly insignificant as a college essay about soccer be the subject of controversy?”

Well, with over a decade of experience in this field, AdmissionSight can confidently say that this is a heated topic. To be fair, soccer essays aren’t really the direct focus of this disagreement, but rather an unfortunate recipient. The real issue revolves around sports essays in general and whether or not they’re a suitable subject for a college essay.

There’s one camp that is adamant about advising students against sports-related college essays because they’re too cliche and generic. Instead of even bothering with the issue and running the risk of turning in a below-average essay, these people recommend applicants to avoid the topic altogether.

On the other side of the fence, there are some people who – while still admitting that the topic is often trite – say that it can be done properly. As a result, this second camp doesn’t swear off it but simply tells applicants to be careful about the potential trap that this subject so often sets.

So, who’s right? Is a college essay about soccer or any other sport doomed to fail? Or is there a potential that this essay can work in your favor when applying to a prestigious school? Well, they’re both correct in their own way. They both acknowledge the potential for a sports-related topic to come across as banal.

The primary difference is that one group of people don’t recommend it to students out of principle while others say that it can be done but should be approached with caution. This latter approach is where we find ourselves. For the right students, a college essay about soccer can be an excellent topic with a strong impact.

How To Write a College Application Essay About Sports

Here, we’ll provide a few tips for writing an effective essay about soccer or any other sport you want.

Avoid the cliche.

The general isn’t going to favor you in this essay prompt. There are likely thousands or even tens of thousands of students applying to the same university as you who have had similar experiences on the soccer field. Assuming at least a small percentage decide to write about the same topic, you’re going to have a tough time standing out from the crowd with a more generic response. A great way to filter out these unusable topics is to run each idea through a filter as you’re brainstorming. You can ask yourself:

• Is there a chance that other people have had this same experience?
• Did many people react the same way I did to the situation?
• Is it a predictable topic on a college essay about soccer?

Make sure you’re honest in your responses as they’re crucial for determining whether or not the topic is usable. If you find out it’s too generic, move on to the next without getting too attached.

Make it unexpected.

As an incredibly common topic, sports essays are generally recommended against. One of the main reasons for this advice is because it’s hard to stand out from other applicants when your essay is expected. What do we mean? Well, thousands and maybe even tens of thousands (depending on where you’re applying) of applicants are sending in essays. If you choose a generic topic such as sports, one of the first things that will undoubtedly pop into an admissions officer’s head when reading your essay is “Oh, I know what’s coming…”

Now, this setup can either work in your favor or against you. If your college essay about soccer ends up being what was expected, your application is going to suffer a major blow. It’s never a good sign when your essays are predictable since that means similar essays have been seen by the college countless times before. However, if your essay is totally unexpected and doesn’t meet the reader’s previously held expectations, you’re setting yourself up for success. Surprise is always a good reaction to have on your essay.

As a result, you should try to write a response that’s not predictable or expected. Obviously, that’s easier said than done. It’s smart to avoid the first idea that pops into your head. And maybe the second, third, and fourth. Make sure to write them down as you can always come back to them. But waiting to see what other ideas pop up can make it more likely that you’ll stumble upon something truly exceptional that no admissions officer will see coming no matter how experienced they are.

Be personal in your essay.

Another great rule of thumb to use when writing a college essay about soccer is to determine if another applicant could put their name at the top of your piece. Would anything change? Is there anything within your piece that makes it undeniably unique to you? Or is it so general that anyone could pass it off as their own without anyone knowing? This is like a litmus test for the uniqueness of your essay. Ideally, your topic is so personal and one-of-a-kind that you are the only applicant who could possibly write it. This ensures your story will successfully stand out amongst the crowd of applicants and increase your chances of getting noticed.

Think about ancillary events.

What happens on the soccer field during a game is more or less the same every time. Although each game takes on a life of its own, there are only a few variables that can change in order to create a different outcome than the rest. What’s the purpose of pointing this out? Well, since the experiences players have on the field are more or less limited, this is difficult territory for finding a unique angle on a college essay about soccer. Although one of the highlights of any player’s experience is playing on the field during a game, you don’t want to end up getting bogged down in topic ideas that are too common to work.

A great way to come up with some topic ideas that are more unique is to think about what’s happened off the field. If you think about it, the vast majority of your time spent “playing soccer” hasn’t really taken place on the field during a game. Between drills, practices, watching the film, working out, and other everyday activities, you’ve actually had more soccer-related experience take place off the field. Thinking about these events is a great way to start coming up with more unique ideas. Not only will fewer applicants writing a college essay about soccer consider these seemingly ancillary events, but you’ll also have a better chance of avoiding cliche topics.

Create a unique title.

As we’ve mentioned before, writing a college essay about soccer or any sport for that matter is like wandering through a minefield of cliche. It’s more than possible to write a compelling, unique, and effective soccer-themed essay, but you have to work extra hard to maintain the attention of admissions officers. However, before you can even worry about holding their attention, you have to capture it in the first place. That’s where a great title comes into play. If you want to hook the reader right away – as you’ve heard time and time again in English class – you need to have a catchy, unique, and unexpected title.

Here are some more general title examples that you’ll want to avoid along with similar variations:

• How Soccer Changed My Life
• Why I Love Soccer
• What I Learned Playing Soccer
• Why Soccer Is My Favorite Sport

As you can see, none of these titles are particularly captivating. None pulled you in as a reader and had you demanding more. And that’s exactly what you want to avoid when writing a college essay about soccer. Even though admissions staff will read your essay, either way, having a fascinating title will prime them for an equally amazing essay which you should also deliver!

Real College Soccer Essay Examples

“Simply put, I love soccer. I love being part of a team of girls who go out there and give their all, heart and soul, in every game. We truly are a family in our team. I love being a part of that family and taking a leadership role, both on and off the field. Soccer has also helped me be a better leader in student organizations and classwork, where I take a proactive role. Whether it is a good defensive block or scoring the winning goal, soccer is an empowering part of my life, and I would not be the person I am today without it.”

What’s bad about this essay:

Overall, this college essay about soccer falls short of where it would need to be in order to be competitive in an Ivy League setting. Here are some of the problems we were able to identify:

• The writer used repetitive language. For example, the essay uses “I love” three different times. Furthermore, the concepts of leadership and family are mentioned twice. Not only is this too much repetition given the essay’s relatively short length, but the writer also didn’t write for the target audience: well-educated admissions officers.
• The piece is too nebulous. Instead of simply mentioning a “leadership role” or “proactive role”, the writer should have provided a description of what these phrases mean in this specific case. This leaves the essay too vague and generic to stand out.
• It feels unfinished. Despite being a short essay, there should still be a complete thought fleshed out within the piece. Unfortunately, this writer wrote as though there would be another hundred words of further explanation. When she says that soccer ended up making her the person she is today, the reader has no idea what that means. It’s a good attempt at being personal but ends up being too vague.
• The language is too cliche. You’re probably tired of hearing this, but we want to drive the point home. In order to succeed when writing a college essay about soccer, you have to avoid coming off as cliche or too general. With phrases like “the winning goal” and “heart and soul”, this writer is falling right into the trap. These ideas are found in way too many sports essays that do not count against her.
• The response is too short. Yes, it’s true that the word-limit was considerably short at just 150 words. However, you’ll want to make use of every single word on these shorter essays. This writer only used 108 words of the total, and it shows in the writing. Even without counting the words, the reader is able to feel that something is missing.

“Soccer has been my passion ever since I was a little kid. I grew up with a soccer ball in my bed. Soccer has in many ways been my outlet, my escape from the stresses of school. Soccer has taught me so many wonderful, powerful lessons like never giving up and always believing in myself. I recall a time when I missed in a shootout. I had let my team down. I was so upset. And yet I picked myself back up and practiced my shot for the next three weeks. The next time I had to participate in an OT shootout, I didn’t miss.”

• The sentence structure isn’t varied. The writer uses the simple “I + verb” structure in nearly every sentence. This makes the piece very boring and unexciting.
• The language is too simple. The nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and verbs used in this essay were too basic for an Ivy League application. In order to really catch the attention of admissions officers, the writer would have to write at a collegiate level at least.
• The topic is too cliche. Similar to the essay above, the subject of this piece is too generic. The theme of sports isn’t the problem. Rather, it’s the sub-topic. Too many students have experienced the same in sports for it to be considered unique.
• It’s too short. Again, this essay doesn’t make use of the full word count. While you might be able to get away with not making use of all the space allotted on longer essays, ones with a few hundred words are another story. You’ll want to make the most of these.

How we would recommend improving these essays:

• The sentences would be much more interesting and engaging with varied sentence structures.
• Instead of simply listing out ideas, the writer could weave together an interesting short narrative.
• The topics discussed should be a bit more unique. As we mentioned before, if someone else can put their name on the essay without it changing a thing, you should change the topic. Neither passed this test.
• The writers should make use of every word available when the essay has such a short word count. Leaving empty space is losing out on opportunities you have to flesh out your ideas. Don’t waste it!

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Story of Being a Soccer Player, Essay Example

Pages: 6

Words: 1544

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Two years ago, soccer was not just a hobby, it was like my girlfriend.  And my story of being a soccer player in this sense is something like a relationship that has developed over time.

I was a little bit rebellious when I was young. I was playing everywhere, inside the house, in the street. I always bothered my neighbors and they were mad at me, arguing with my family everyday about my behavior, as though there was nothing else to talk about except my annoying act. We have a basement floor in my house and I spent all my time playing soccer there when I was not outside.  Once, while I was playing with my brother and my sister, I broke the arm and leg of some masterpiece sculpture which my mother loved and I remember that she got really upset about that. She took me out of the house that day and told me: “don’t you dare break one of the incredible things that I love, if you want to play, play outside the house!”

Eventually it got to the point that she talked with her friend about my behavior. Fortunately, her husband is a soccer coach for the Yarmok team from Kuwait, my country, and she told my mom that if I am interested in this particular sport she would talk to her husband about me in order to let him know that there is a new player who would like to join the team. After that my mom talked with me about joining Yarmok, but also emphasized that I should be assiduous in my school work because my performance in soccer was much better than my performance in school. I went to her husband and eventually he tested my skills over with some new players in order to find out how good a player I was and where my strengths were. Yarmok at the time had many quality players and he wanted to determine if I was a player good enough to join the team.

I had been playing with Yarmok for quite some time, when there was an extremely important match between my team and one of the highest ranked team in Kuwait. This particular match would take place in two months and I looked at it as an opportunity, thinking that I would have the change to prove myself in front of everybody, especially Kuwait Soccer Association. I was really practicing hard with my team and our coach gave us a lot of wonderful exercises that would be useful for the match. My concentration was steady during this time, and I honed my skills with my teammates in the soccer yard, following closely the instructions of our coach. Our team at the time was the weakest club in Kuwait, so I was looking forward to joining an excellent and one of the famous teams in my country and in the world at the same time, if my play was good enough.  I thought that by winning the match I could draw the attention of Kuwait Soccer Association or even the team that we would compete with because they would admire what I am capable of, for example, my skills in controlling the ball.  That was really my desire, to move forward and be part of a good team, I wanted my team to win every match. When I talked with the coach about this, he told me that I would have to attend training everyday and not miss a single practice. Finally, he said, “the ball is in your court.” I listened to his advice very carefully.

The big day arrived, the day that everybody has been waiting for.  The public believed that our opponents would defeat us just as easy as any other team, but we felt differently. We thought we were going to confront this team and, personally, I felt that I was going to show everybody that I was better than even my own teammates, so that I would be able to join a better and stronger team.

The match was about to start and all the players were prepared for it, even though there was an important player on my team who was absent due to an illness that he has been through. The atmosphere was exciting, as we put on our shoes, getting ready for the warm up that all teams perform before the match so as not only to avoid injuries, but to also be even more active, forceful, and energetic in the match. My ambition was to achieve two goals in a single moment, not only winning the match, but also joining the Kuwait national team, which I had always dreamed about.

The match started, the long sound of the whistle, the audience filling up all the seats and my family was there too, which made me more motivated, helping me towards a good performance in the match.  I played the best I could trying to show my skills and be fitter and more disciplined than anyone else on the field.

Towards the end of the game, with approximately 6 minutes and additional time remaining, an opposing player suddenly became very spiteful to me. He pushed me in an deliberate and calculated manner in order to take me out of the game, but as a result got a red card from referee. Unfortunately, I received a series injury and could not complete the rest the match. I remember clearly as a small car with two physiotherapists took me off the field so that they could examine what happened with my leg. They immediately began initiating some sort of natural therapy while I told them I have to complete the last four minutes of the match. They said, “we will do the best we can to kill the pain or treat the injury a little bit”, but they could not. I felt a sharp and constant pain in my leg, but because I was determined to continue, they also sprayed my leg with anesthetic spray. But that also did not help.  I was terribly upset about what was happening and my coach told me to not resume the match in order to not incur further injury to my leg and I reluctantly obeyed him.

We won the game, and the score was 1-0, a shocking result. It was truly a memorable game that I could not forget it and it remains present in my mind. It was a special moment and a truly wonderful memory also on a personal level, because the Kuwait national team chose me to be one of its members and to get the opportunity to know the new players who I was going play alongside. At that moment specifically, I could not believe what had happened: “is that true, is it true that I am one of the Kuwait national team players?”, I said to myself. In addition, they rewarded me as the best player in the game, we all received a gold medal and I hoisted the victory cup up in front of the audience and my family who were cheering me with their applause.

I could not believe that I had achieved all my goals, goals for which I had been suffering for, and it was amazing to think that I had finally accomplished them. My coach told me that my hard work was the reason why I achieved my goal, telling me that although I was an ambitious player but I would have to work hard, work dilligently, and be engaged. My family was very excited that we won the match and that I was also the best player in that match, although they were also concerned about my injury. I did not know that there is some sort of risk in this sport, but I learned this after my injury and I think every sport has its own type of danger. Typically, in soccer, the most hazardous area is the leg because of the pressure and force that is exerted upon the player’s legs during a match. After a long time of playing soccer, I can see soccer from another angle. I used to admire people who play soccer and playing soccer myself led me to injuries, but for me it was worth it, because that is what I love, and that’ is what I adore.

However, this is not only a story about soccer. This is a story about learning something, regardless of what your skills or your abilities are. It is also about unique experiences which the individual goes through. I would not have had the experiences I did if I did not set on the path that was offered to me. Certainly, some of these experiences will be negative, such as with the injury I received. However, these negative moments do not define the experience itself, they are only one part of the experience. There is a risk to every endeavor we take. But this risk does not determine our relationships to the things we love doing. If you have a favorite hobby, such as sports or anything you happen to be proficient in, even though the riskiness is there, it will not matter for you anyway, because the love for what you do is stronger than any element of risk.

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• Essay Editor

Playing Soccer Game: Personal Experience Essay

1. introduction.

Hello, my name is Jim, and I am a soccer player. Since I was six years old, I have learned and played soccer. It's a game I love and have great passion for. I have played soccer in many different competitions, ranging from youth level to elite amateur level, and I believe I have a deep understanding of the game of soccer. I feel that I have a good insight and appreciation for the game, and that my skills and understandings are second nature to me. I do not remember the exact day I started to play soccer; however, I remember the feeling I got when I first kicked the ball. It was a great rush. The feeling in my heart at that moment, I believe, is what got me hooked onto the game of soccer. It's an overwhelming sense of excitement and happiness. When I was first presented with the assignment of writing an experience essay for my English class, I was extremely excited to write about this experience. It was a great time in my life, and I felt I could express my thoughts and emotions through my writing. That's exactly what I have done here. This experience helped me to start considering a career coaching soccer in the future. Everything I learned from the experience has benefited me in some way either learning how to maintain my composure under pressure or applying that same method to helping my team win a game.

2. Benefits of Playing Soccer

Skills from soccer are useful in most sports. You'll become more agile and have great balance. Your stamina will increase and you'll have greater flexibility. Coordination will improve as well, as you'll learn to keep control of the ball while dribbling through a crowd of defenders, for example, or when taking a shot at the goal. Whether you're a defender, midfielder, or a forward, all positions on a soccer field require a burst of speed at some point. Oftentimes, that burst is the difference between getting a step on a defender and the ability to create space for a shot or a cross. Speed is the element that can separate great players from good players. And how do these players work on their speed? By running in a straight line as fast as they can, or by doing a series of drills which may or may not apply to the way they will actually need to run in a game. But if you're training for soccer, then you'll get your sprint work in by chasing a ball, and the change of direction on a number of soccer moves can really work the legs in ways that you might not experience in any other types of sprinting drills. With soccer, there's no speed work that's not applied to real activity, and sprinting with the ball will make your legs faster, stronger, and more agile in ways that simple running never will. And you'll have fun doing it, so it won't feel like work.

2.1 Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is one of the major positive benefits of participating in soccer. Although soccer is an intermittent activity with bursts of running, jogging, walking, sprinting, and also changes in direction where your body is in continuous motion, it still can be a great workout and a lot of fun. It can also be modified to an exercise for anyone, from its professional level to starting to play walking soccer to the older generation. Playing soccer involves every muscle in the body, from the lower limbs to the upper limbs. It improves strength, muscle tone, and endurance. Playing soccer also increases flexibility of the body. It involves agility and also multidirectional movements from the player. Through this, it increases the range of motion of your body joints. Such movements include cutting and changing direction (a very quick shift from one movement to another). This results in improved flexibility, especially of the lower limbs and hip region. It can also prevent the risk of muscle strains and joint sprains in performing the similar movements in everyday life situations. This is important for older men and women as it can prevent the risk of getting muscle strains when cleaning or even picking up objects off the floor. Through increased flexibility, the performance of everyday tasks improves to an easier and higher level. This is also very important for the young generation as flexibility is a key factor in the prevention of injuries in the later stages of life. Static stretching exercises are important in increased flexibility and these can be performed pre-game to warm up and post-game to warm down. Suggested static stretches include quadriceps, hip flexor, hamstring, groin, shoulder, and lower back stretches for full body effectiveness.

2.2 Teamwork and Communication

Soccer is a team sport and, as such, it requires the players to use effective tactics in order to win. The tactics are only able to be effective if there is a clear plan and good communication between the players. Soccer teaches players about the importance of setting a goal and working towards it. This can be useful in life as having a goal will give you a clear direction and this will help you to stay focused. In modern society, communication is becoming progressively important, especially with recent developments in technology. It is no longer good enough to leave school with a clutch of academic qualifications as many employers will be looking for people with good communication and interpersonal skills. Being able to listen and speak coherently is a very important factor in many people's careers, and learning to do so from an early age is an important asset. Soccer can also promote teamwork. With the unemployment rate being so high in many countries, it is extremely important that young people learn teamwork as it is a vital part of being able to keep a job and is also transferable to many other aspects of everyday life. Having to work as part of a team towards a common goal is an essential part of participation in today's society, whether it is in the working environment, in a political sense, or as a member of a community organization. Understanding how to be a team player puts people at an advantage, and it is a lesson which can be learned through participation in team sports.

2.3 Mental Agility

Playing soccer involves the development of mental agility. Soccer demands a high level of mental agility among its players for the many varying demands of the game. Decision-making is vital, as players must decide what moves to make or what tactics to use while they have or do not have possession of the ball. A player's decision-making must be based on the level of pressure (if at all) that is being exerted upon them by opponents. Quick thinking is required as there are split-second decisions. Improving concentration and attention to detail is an integral part of soccer. Players must concentrate for long periods of time and take in a large amount of information from the game. Players need to have concentration to execute skillful maneuvers and to concentrate on tactics. Mental agility is also developed via a player's ups and downs throughout a soccer game. Players make a series of mistakes and successes throughout the game; they play from one extreme to another over the duration of the game. This requires an emotional rollercoaster. Players will need to develop mental agility to control their emotions and focus on the task at hand, being the best they can. Control over emotions and a strong sense of resilience are the results of developed mental agility. Overall, soccer is a great stimulus for the brain, which coincides with helping to fight off mental illness in the future. The development of mental agility is arguably the most important component of a soccer player's relative to their personal life, thus the most important benefit of playing soccer.

3. Challenges Faced in Soccer

Challenges faced in soccer: It is known that soccer is a game in which we are in contact with the other players during the entire game, so it is obvious that there will be physical fatigue and other kinds of physical demands on our body when we prepare ourselves to face that contact. The main physical aspects of this game are collisions and tackles, which can take a toll on anybody's body and leave the player possibly injured after the rough encounter. You have to be prepared to incur injuries when playing this game, and the best way to handle it is to stay focused and treat an injury as fast as possible. I have had knee injuries while playing soccer, but I could easily trace it to a lack of focus or slight cockiness as I was the one making tackles that I should have avoided for the sake of preserving myself for later in the game when I actually might have needed to make such a tackle. Another way to prepare for the impact that soccer often presents is to condition one's body to better handle it. On days I knew were going to be rough, I tended to wear out and mentally prepare myself for what was coming.

3.1 Physical Demands

Physical demands in soccer are extreme because it is a high-intensity sport. Players must have aerobic and anaerobic fitness in order to play and put up with the demands of the game. Aerobic fitness is vital and is the cornerstone of fitness in soccer. It is the base to which all other forms of fitness can be built around. Aerobic fitness allows players to play for the entire duration of the game at their own top-level performance and recover fast when the ball is won or lost. The average outfield player can travel up to 12km in a 90-minute game. A midfielder can travel up to 15km or more. The game also involves frequent short bursts of exertion and recovery. Sprinting is a common attribute of play and is performed when the players are attempting to get into a good position, closing down an opponent, or running into open space or onto a through pass. It is high-intensity running in the form of interval training. Interval training is fitness that is then based around the ability to perform repeated high-intensity efforts and/or recover quickly using the same muscle groups for the duration of play. Anaerobic fitness occurs when the body cannot supply enough oxygen to meet the demands of the activity and an oxygen debt is built up. This causes lactic acid to form and is what creates the fatigue and burning in the muscles. Lactic acid system training involves performing high-intensity efforts for around 90 seconds, which is the average duration of play for each ball. The game of soccer also involves much physical contact and contest from the players to win and keep possession of the ball. It has been shown that elite-level soccer has 50% more high-intensity collisions than rugby league. The body must then be able to stand up to impact and encounter with minimal risk of injury. Muscle strength is vital to prevent injury and to provide stability around the joints. It is also important to have good flexibility in order to move through the full range of motion about the joint. Specific joint stability is also vital and is best achieved through core strength training. The game of soccer involves running, turning, and jumping. This puts players at risk of knee ligament injury. The best prevention of knee injuries has been shown to be through strength and proprioception training of the thigh muscles. Finally, foot-eye coordination is crucial as the game involves much skill in ball handling and well-directed passing. Step one in preventing head/neck/face and upper limb injury is to encourage fair play and minimize deliberate and foul play between opponents. Head and neck injury can be prevented with improved neck muscle strength. Upper limb and trunk muscle strength is also vital to minimize impact at collisions. Currently, there are no particular trunk or upper limb injury prevention exercises for soccer. This would have to be something addressed in the future.

3.2 Competitive Pressure

Rivalry rehearsals are particularly demanding. Despite the fact that my performance during soccer matches was just as good as training, my attitude and perspectives towards the game changed. I felt that my performance during games was essential to the amount of playing time I got, hence leading to increased pressure towards winning the competition. This lack of independence caused by the coaches can be frustrating for some players, especially if they feel their efforts in training will never be adequately appreciated. Also, the coach's constant pursuit of results is often communicated to players, creating an attitude that success in competition is the only sign of progress and the main reason for playing the game. This has the effect of shifting the focus from mastery of skills to a focus on winning games. As players focus on succeeding at the game, instead of learning and improving, the joy associated with playing soccer is often replaced by anxiety and fear of failure. One of the worst mental pains for young players is the fear of making mistakes and the resulting fear of criticism from coaches, parents, and spectators. Concerning competition results, one of the worst mental conditions a player can develop is the development of an ego-oriented goal orientation. Players with ego-oriented goals seek to prove themselves superior without actually confirming it through their performance. Ego-oriented players often see their performance as an opportunity for social evaluation regarding their effectiveness in securing the support of their allies. While success may lead to increased self-esteem, it is often temporary and followed by a drop in confidence when performances are criticized. This reliance on confidence based on results rather than the foundation of confidence in one's abilities is a major cause of fluctuation in confidence for players during competition. Confidence waivers are particularly significant during failure and serve to affect the focus and work ethic of a player, often to the detriment of their game. Ego-oriented players have a tendency of losing confidence in their abilities, based on their sole success, and therefore stop trying to win games through bettering their team overall. This negative mental state can lead players to abandon team-centered principles and seek to further their own interests by attempting to perform plays beyond their scope of ability.

4. Conclusion

Throughout my soccer career, I have experienced lots of things, whether they were good or bad experiences. At the end of the day, the most important thing is what we learn from those experiences. When winning the game, that's not important to me. Just playing with all of our ability, effort, and never giving up is the important thing. Because without doing that, we will never taste the real meaning of winning. Playing a soccer game has also taught me how to be a good team player and leader. I will strive to improve this ability and lead my team to victory. Playing a soccer game is not just about winning or making a beautiful play. It's about building our character, mentality, and increasing our social skills. From the smallest to the biggest things that happen on the field, I've learned a lot. I've tasted the bitterness of defeat and the sweetness of victory. Those kinds of experiences are the real prize that we get from playing a soccer game. Maintaining a good attitude, no matter if we win or lose, is a valuable experience that is really difficult to get from other things. So overall, I really enjoy every experience playing a soccer game. No matter if it's a good or bad experience, it teaches me a lot of things about how to deal with life. I will always strive to be better and play with all my ability because the real failure is when we give up on the things that we are pursuing. Playing a soccer game is full of ups and downs. But for me, it's not important when the last time we played. No matter how old we are, it will never be too late to play a soccer game because soccer is a beautiful game.

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How to Write a Non-Cliche College Essay About Sports + Examples

What’s covered:, what makes a sports essay cliche.

• How To Make Your Sports Essay Unique

Great Examples of College Essays About Sports

Where to get your college essay edited for free, or by an expert.

You’ve been brainstorming essay topics for your college applications, and you think you’ve finally found the right one: an extended metaphor likening your experience on the field with overcoming personal struggles. The problem: many other students have this same thought. 

The purpose of a college essay is to make yourself stand out as a unique individual, but when students write about sports, they often blend in. Because of that, students are usually advised to pick a different topic.

That being said, it is possible to write a non-cliche college essay about sports if you put in a little extra effort. Read along to learn how to make your sports essay different from all the other sports essays.

Sports essays are cliche when they follow a standard trajectory. Some of these trajectories include writing a story about:

• An agonizing defeat
• Forging bonds with teammates
• Overcoming adversity
• Overcoming an injury
• Refusing to quit
• Victory during a big game

Because sports essays have very similar themes and “lessons learned,” it can be difficult to make your story stand out. These trajectories also often focus too much on the sport or storyline, and not enough on the writer’s reflections and personality.

As you write your essay, try to think about what your experience says about you rather than what you learned from your experience. You are more than just one lesson you learned!

(Keep in mind that the sports essay is not the only college essay cliche. Learn about other essay cliches and how to fix them in our complete guide).

How to Make Your Sports Essay Unique

1. focus on a specific moment or reflection..

The college essay is a way for students to humanize themselves to admissions officers. You do not feel human if you are describing yourself as just another player on the field!

One important way to make your essay about you (not just about sports) is by focusing on a specific moment in time and inviting the reader to join you in that moment. Explain to the reader what it would be like to be sitting in that locker room as you questioned the values of the other players on your team. Ask your reader to sit with you on the cot in the trainer’s room as your identity was stripped away from you when they said “your body can’t take this anymore.” Bring your reader to the dinner table and involve them in your family’s conversation about how sports were affecting your mental health and your treatment of those around you.

Intense descriptions of a specific experience will evoke emotions in your reader and allow them to connect with you and feel for you.

When in doubt, avoid anything that can be covered by ESPN. On ESPN, we see the games, we see the benches, we even see the locker rooms and training rooms. Take your reader somewhere different and show them something unique.

2. Use sports to point out broader themes in your life.

The main risk when writing about sports is neglecting to write about yourself. Before you get started, think about the main values that you want to express in your sports essay. Sports are simply your avenue for telling the reader what makes you unique. 

As a test, imagine if you were a pianist. Would you be able to talk about these same values? What if you were a writer? Or a chemist? Articulating your values is the end, and sports should simply be your means.

Some values that you might want to focus on:

• Autonomy (you want to be able to set your mind to anything and achieve it on your own)
• Growth (you seek improvement constantly)
• Curiosity (you are willing to try anything once)
• Vulnerability (you aren’t afraid to fail, as long as you give it your all)
• Community (you value the feedback of others and need camaraderie to succeed)
• Craft (you think that with deliberate care, anything can be perfected)
• Responsibility (you believe that you owe something to those around you and perhaps they also owe something to you)

You can use the ESPN check again to make sure that you are using sports as an avenue to show your depth.

Things ESPN covers: how a player reacts to defeat, how injuries affect a player’s gameplay/attitude, how players who don’t normally work well together are working together on their new team.

Things ESPN doesn’t cover: the conversation that a player had with their mother about fear of death before going into a big surgery (value: family and connection), the ways that the intense pressure to succeed consumed a player to the point they couldn’t be there for the people in their life (value: supporting others and community), the body image issues that weigh on a player’s mind when playing their sport and how they overcame those (value: health and growth).

3. Turn a cliche storyline on its head.

There’s no getting around the fact that sports essays are often cliche. But there is a way to confront the cliche head-on. For example, lots of people write essays about the lessons they learned from an injury, victory, and so on, but fewer students explain how they are embracing those lessons. 

Perhaps you learned that competition is overwhelming for you and you prefer teamwork, so you switched from playing basketball to playing Dungeons & Dragons. Maybe, when your softball career ended abruptly, you had to find a new identity and that’s when you became obsessed with your flower garden and decided to pursue botany. Or maybe, you have stuck with football through it all, but your junior-year mental health struggle showed you that football should be fun and you have since started a nonprofit for local children to healthily engage with sports.

If your story itself is more cliche, try bringing readers to the present moment with you and show why the cliche matters and what it did for you. This requires a fair amount of creativity. Ensure you’re not parroting a frequently used topic by really thinking deeply to find your own unique spin.

Night had robbed the academy of its daytime colors, yet there was comfort in the dim lights that cast shadows of our advances against the bare studio walls. Silhouettes of roundhouse kicks, spin crescent kicks, uppercuts and the occasional butterfly kick danced while we sparred. She approached me, eyes narrowed with the trace of a smirk challenging me. “Ready spar!” Her arm began an upward trajectory targeting my shoulder, a common first move. I sidestepped — only to almost collide with another flying fist. Pivoting my right foot, I snapped my left leg, aiming my heel at her midsection. The center judge raised one finger. 

There was no time to celebrate, not in the traditional sense at least. Master Pollard gave a brief command greeted with a unanimous “Yes, sir” and the thud of 20 hands dropping-down-and-giving-him-30, while the “winners” celebrated their victory with laps as usual. 

Three years ago, seven-thirty in the evening meant I was a warrior. It meant standing up straighter, pushing a little harder, “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am”, celebrating birthdays by breaking boards, never pointing your toes, and familiarity. Three years later, seven-thirty in the morning meant I was nervous. 

The room is uncomfortably large. The sprung floor soaks up the checkerboard of sunlight piercing through the colonial windows. The mirrored walls further illuminate the studio and I feel the light scrutinizing my sorry attempts at a pas de bourrée, while capturing the organic fluidity of the dancers around me. “Chassé en croix, grand battement, pique, pirouette.” I follow the graceful limbs of the woman in front of me, her legs floating ribbons, as she executes what seems to be a perfect ronds de jambes. Each movement remains a negotiation. With admirable patience, Ms. Tan casts me a sympathetic glance.   

There is no time to wallow in the misery that is my right foot. Taekwondo calls for dorsiflexion; pointed toes are synonymous with broken toes. My thoughts drag me into a flashback of the usual response to this painful mistake: “You might as well grab a tutu and head to the ballet studio next door.” Well, here I am Master Pollard, unfortunately still following your orders to never point my toes, but no longer feeling the satisfaction that comes with being a third degree black belt with 5 years of experience quite literally under her belt. It’s like being a white belt again — just in a leotard and ballet slippers. 

But the appetite for new beginnings that brought me here doesn’t falter. It is only reinforced by the classical rendition of “Dancing Queen” that floods the room and the ghost of familiarity that reassures me that this new beginning does not and will not erase the past. After years spent at the top, it’s hard to start over. But surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become. In Taekwondo, we started each class reciting the tenets: honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet. 

The thing about change is that it eventually stops making things so different. After nine different schools, four different countries, three different continents, fluency in Tamil, Norwegian, and English, there are more blurred lines than there are clear fragments. My life has not been a tactfully executed, gold medal-worthy Taekwondo form with each movement defined, nor has it been a series of frappés performed by a prima ballerina with each extension identical and precise, but thankfully it has been like the dynamics of a spinning back kick, fluid, and like my chances of landing a pirouette, unpredictable. 

Why it works:

What’s especially powerful about this essay is that the author uses detailed imagery to convey a picture of what they’re experiencing, so much so that the reader is along for the ride. This works as a sports essay not only because of the language and sensory details, but also because the writer focuses on a specific moment in time, while at the same time exploring why Taekwondo is such an important part of their life.

After the emotional image is created, the student finishes their essay with valuable reflection. With the reflection, they show admissions officers that they are mature and self-aware. Self-awareness comes through with statements like “surrendering what you are only leads you to what you may become” and maturity can be seen through the student’s discussion of values “honor, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, courage, humility, and knowledge, and I have never felt that I embodied those traits more so than when I started ballet.” These are the kinds of comments that should find their way into a sports essay!

“Advanced females ages 13 to 14 please proceed to staging with your coaches at this time.” Skittering around the room, eyes wide and pleading, I frantically explained my situation to nearby coaches. The seconds ticked away in my head; every polite refusal increased my desperation.

Despair weighed me down. I sank to my knees as a stream of competitors, coaches, and officials flowed around me. My dojang had no coach, and the tournament rules prohibited me from competing without one.

Although I wanted to remain strong, doubts began to cloud my mind. I could not help wondering: what was the point of perfecting my skills if I would never even compete? The other members of my team, who had found coaches minutes earlier, attempted to comfort me, but I barely heard their words. They couldn’t understand my despair at being left on the outside, and I never wanted them to understand.

Since my first lesson 12 years ago, the members of my dojang have become family. I have watched them grow up, finding my own happiness in theirs. Together, we have honed our kicks, blocks, and strikes. We have pushed one another to aim higher and become better martial artists. Although my dojang had searched for a reliable coach for years, we had not found one. When we attended competitions in the past, my teammates and I had always gotten lucky and found a sympathetic coach. Now, I knew this practice was unsustainable. It would devastate me to see the other members of my dojang in my situation, unable to compete and losing hope as a result. My dojang needed a coach, and I decided it was up to me to find one. 

I first approached the adults in the dojang – both instructors and members’ parents. However, these attempts only reacquainted me with polite refusals. Everyone I asked told me they couldn’t devote multiple weekends per year to competitions. I soon realized that I would have become the coach myself.

At first, the inner workings of tournaments were a mystery to me. To prepare myself for success as a coach, I spent the next year as an official and took coaching classes on the side. I learned everything from motivational strategies to technical, behind-the-scenes components of Taekwondo competitions. Though I emerged with new knowledge and confidence in my capabilities, others did not share this faith.

Parents threw me disbelieving looks when they learned that their children’s coach was only a child herself. My self-confidence was my armor, deflecting their surly glances. Every armor is penetrable, however, and as the relentless barrage of doubts pounded my resilience, it began to wear down. I grew unsure of my own abilities.

Despite the attack, I refused to give up. When I saw the shining eyes of the youngest students preparing for their first competition, I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was. The knowledge that I could solve my dojang’s longtime problem motivated me to overcome my apprehension.

Now that my dojang flourishes at competitions, the attacks on me have weakened, but not ended. I may never win the approval of every parent; at times, I am still tormented by doubts, but I find solace in the fact that members of my dojang now only worry about competing to the best of their abilities.

Now, as I arrive at a tournament with my students, I close my eyes and remember the past. I visualize the frantic search for a coach and the chaos amongst my teammates as we compete with one another to find coaches before the staging calls for our respective divisions. I open my eyes to the exact opposite scene. Lacking a coach hurt my ability to compete, but I am proud to know that no member of my dojang will have to face that problem again.

In the beginning, you might think this is another cliche sports essay about overcoming adversity. But instead, it becomes a unique statement and coming-of-age tale that reads as a suspenseful narrative. 

The author connects their experience with martial arts to larger themes in their life but manages to do so without riffing off of tried-and-true themes. Through statements like “I knew I couldn’t let them down. To quit would be to set them up to be barred from competing like I was” we learn about the students values and their desire to be there for those who depend on them. 

The student also brings it full circle, demonstrating their true transformation. By using the “Same, but Different” ending technique , the student places themself in the same environment that we saw in the intro, but experiences it differently due to their actions throughout the narrative. This is very compelling!

“1…2…3…4 pirouettes! New record!” My friends cheered as I landed my turns. Pleased with my progress, I gazed down at my worn-out pointe shoes. The sweltering blisters, numbing ice-baths, and draining late-night practices did not seem so bad after all. Next goal: five turns.

For as long as I can remember, ballet, in all its finesse and glamor, had kept me driven day to day. As a child, the lithe ballerinas, donning ethereal costumes as they floated across the stage, were my motivation. While others admired Messi and Adele, I idolized Carlos Acosta, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet. 

As I devoted more time and energy towards my craft, I became obsessed with improving my technique. I would stretch for hours after class, forcing my leg one inch higher in an effort to mirror the Dance Magazine cover girls. I injured my feet and ruined pair after pair of pointe shoes, turning on wood, cement, and even grass to improve my balance as I spun. At competitions, the dancers with the 180-degree leg extensions, endless turns, and soaring leaps—the ones who received “Bravos!” from the roaring audience—further pushed me to refine my skills and perfect my form. I believed that, with enough determination, I would one day attain their level of perfection. Reaching the quadruple-pirouette milestone only intensified my desire to accomplish even more. 

My efforts seemed to have come to fruition two summers ago when I was accepted to dance with Moscow’s Bolshoi Ballet at their renowned New York City summer intensive. I walked into my first session eager to learn from distinguished ballet masters and worldly dancers, already anticipating my improvement. Yet, as I danced alongside the accomplished ballerinas, I felt out of place. Despite their clean technique and professional training, they did not aim for glorious leg extensions or prodigious leaps. When they performed their turn combinations, most of them only executed two turns as I attempted four. 

“Dancers, double-pirouettes only.” 

Taken aback and confused, I wondered why our teacher expected so little from us. The other ballerinas seemed content, gracing the studio with their simple movements. 

As I grew closer with my Moscow roommates, I gradually learned that their training emphasized the history of the art form instead of stylistic tricks. Rather than show off their physical ability, their performances aimed to convey a story, one that embodied the rich culture of ballet and captured both the legacy of the dancers before them and their own artistry. As I observed my friends more intently in repertoire class, I felt the pain of the grief-stricken white swan from Swan Lake, the sass of the flirtatious Kitri from Don Quijote, and I gradually saw what I had overlooked before. My definition of talent had been molded by crowd-pleasing elements—whirring pirouettes, gravity-defying leaps, and mind-blowing leg extensions. This mindset slowly stripped me from the roots of my passion and my personal connection with ballet. 

With the Bolshoi, I learned to step back and explore the meaning behind each step and the people behind the scenes. Ballet carries history in its movements, from the societal values of the era to each choreographer’s unique flair. As I uncovered the messages behind each pirouette, kick, and jump, my appreciation for ballet grew beyond my obsession with raw athleticism and developed into a love for the art form’s emotive abilities in bridging the dancers with the audience. My journey as an artist has allowed me to see how technical execution is only the means to a greater understanding between dancer and spectator, between storyteller and listener. The elegance and complexity of ballet does not revolve around astonishing stunts but rather the evocative strength and artistry manifested in the dancer, in me. It is the combination of sentiments, history, tradition, and passion that has allowed ballet and its lessons of human connection to become my lifestyle both on and off stage.

This essay is about lessons. While the author is a dancer, this narrative isn’t really about ballet, per se — it’s about the author’s personal growth. It is purposefully reflective as the student shows a nice character arc that begins with an eager young ballerina and ends with a reflection on their past. The primary strength of this essay is the honesty and authenticity that the student approaches it with.

In the end, the student turns a cliche on its head as they embrace the idea of overcoming adversity and demonstrate how the adversity, in this case, was their own stereotypes about their art. It’s beautiful!

“Getting beat is one thing – it’s part of competing – but I want no part in losing.” Coach Rob Stark’s motto never fails to remind me of his encouragement on early-morning bus rides to track meets around the state. I’ve always appreciated the phrase, but an experience last June helped me understand its more profound, universal meaning.

Stark, as we affectionately call him, has coached track at my high school for 25 years. His care, dedication, and emphasis on developing good character has left an enduring impact on me and hundreds of other students. Not only did he help me discover my talent and love for running, but he also taught me the importance of commitment and discipline and to approach every endeavor with the passion and intensity that I bring to running. When I learned a neighboring high school had dedicated their track to a longtime coach, I felt that Stark deserved similar honors.

Our school district’s board of education indicated they would only dedicate our track to Stark if I could demonstrate that he was extraordinary. I took charge and mobilized my teammates to distribute petitions, reach out to alumni, and compile statistics on the many team and individual champions Stark had coached over the years. We received astounding support, collecting almost 3,000 signatures and pages of endorsements from across the community. With help from my teammates, I presented this evidence to the board.

They didn’t bite. 

Most members argued that dedicating the track was a low priority. Knowing that we had to act quickly to convince them of its importance, I called a team meeting where we drafted a rebuttal for the next board meeting. To my surprise, they chose me to deliver it. I was far from the best public speaker in the group, and I felt nervous about going before the unsympathetic board again. However, at that second meeting, I discovered that I enjoy articulating and arguing for something that I’m passionate about.

Public speaking resembles a cross country race. Walking to the starting line, you have to trust your training and quell your last minute doubts. When the gun fires, you can’t think too hard about anything; your performance has to be instinctual, natural, even relaxed. At the next board meeting, the podium was my starting line. As I walked up to it, familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Instead of the track stretching out in front of me, I faced the vast audience of teachers, board members, and my teammates. I felt my adrenaline build, and reassured myself: I’ve put in the work, my argument is powerful and sound. As the board president told me to introduce myself, I heard, “runners set” in the back of my mind. She finished speaking, and Bang! The brief silence was the gunshot for me to begin. 

The next few minutes blurred together, but when the dust settled, I knew from the board members’ expressions and the audience’s thunderous approval that I had run quite a race. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough; the board voted down our proposal. I was disappointed, but proud of myself, my team, and our collaboration off the track. We stood up for a cause we believed in, and I overcame my worries about being a leader. Although I discovered that changing the status quo through an elected body can be a painstakingly difficult process and requires perseverance, I learned that I enjoy the challenges this effort offers. Last month, one of the school board members joked that I had become a “regular” – I now often show up to meetings to advocate for a variety of causes, including better environmental practices in cafeterias and safer equipment for athletes.

Just as Stark taught me, I worked passionately to achieve my goal. I may have been beaten when I appealed to the board, but I certainly didn’t lose, and that would have made Stark proud.

This essay uses the idea of sports to explore a more profound topic—growing through relationships. They really embrace using sports as an avenue to tell the reader about a specific experience that changed the way they approach the world. 

The emphasis on relationships is why this essay works well and doesn’t fall into a cliche. The narrator grows not because of their experience with track but because of their relationship with their coach, who inspired them to evolve and become a leader.

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118 Soccer Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is one of the most popular sports globally. With millions of fans and players worldwide, soccer has become a universal language that brings people together. Whether you are a die-hard fan, a player, or just someone who enjoys watching the game, there is no doubt that soccer has a special place in many people's hearts.

If you are a student looking for soccer essay topics for your next assignment, you've come to the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of 118 soccer essay topic ideas and examples to help you get started on your writing journey. From the history of the game to its impact on society, there are plenty of interesting angles to explore when it comes to soccer.

• The history of soccer and its origins
• The evolution of soccer rules and regulations
• The impact of technology on soccer
• The role of referees in soccer matches
• The psychology of soccer players
• The influence of soccer on culture and society
• The economics of professional soccer
• The importance of teamwork in soccer
• The role of coaches in developing soccer players
• The impact of injuries on soccer careers
• The rise of women's soccer
• The controversy surrounding the FIFA World Cup
• The role of fans in soccer matches
• The influence of social media on soccer
• The psychology of penalty shootouts in soccer
• The relationship between soccer and politics
• The role of soccer in promoting diversity and inclusion
• The impact of globalization on soccer
• The history of soccer hooliganism
• The role of soccer academies in developing young talent
• The significance of soccer rivalries
• The impact of sponsorship deals on soccer clubs
• The rise of soccer analytics and statistics
• The influence of soccer on national identity
• The role of soccer in promoting physical fitness
• The impact of climate change on soccer matches
• The rise of soccer in the United States
• The relationship between soccer and gambling
• The history of soccer stadiums
• The role of soccer in promoting peace and unity
• The impact of social media influencers on soccer culture
• The ethics of diving in soccer
• The role of video assistant referees in soccer matches
• The impact of travel on soccer teams
• The influence of music on soccer culture
• The role of nutrition in soccer performance

As you can see, there are countless soccer essay topics to choose from. Whether you are interested in the history of the game, the impact of technology, or the influence of social media, there is no shortage of angles to explore when it comes to soccer. So, pick a topic that interests you and start writing your next soccer essay today!

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Home Essay Samples Sports

Essay Samples on Soccer

The soccer discourse community: passion, identity, and global connection.

Soccer, known as football to most of the world, is more than just a sport; it is a universal language that transcends geographical borders and cultural differences. Within the realm of this beloved game lies a dynamic and tightly-knit soccer discourse community. This essay explores...

• Discourse Community

The Issue of Racism in Soccer: Causes, Effects, and Ways to Combat

Introduction Picture yourself as a person of color, having to confront racism in the profession you cherish. Wouldn't you long to release all that anger and frustration? Unfortunately, this is the reality for the black community and people of color in the realm of sports,...

Soccer as My Hobby and How It Shapes My Life

Hobby is an activity, habit or favorite choice of a human, who regularly performs in leisure or extra time for pleasure, relaxation and enjoyment. Everyone has different hobbies that he or she would like to do to have fun or relax. They can be physical...

• About Myself

Soccer Vs Basketball: The Uniqueness Of Each Sport

Playing sports is an emotional, physical, and mental adventure. You have the opportunity to know whether you are a team player or a maverick. Soccer and Basketball are two of the most popular sports that are played by people around the world. The purpose of...

Bend It Like Beckham: Exploring the Differences with One Hobby

Bend It Like Beckham at first glance is a lighthearted film about two young women who bond over their love of soccer. However, the use of comedy thinly veils the important issues about different cultures existing together, and the difficulties faced by minority cultures in...

• Bend It Like Beckham

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The Joy Soccer Brings to Me and Many Others

Joy is an essential feeling for us human beings. It is basically the feeling you get when you are doing something you love. Joy has long been identified as an important feeling for humans. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Aristotle, and Plato believed that...

• Favorite Sport

How Rules in Soccer Make the Game Entertaining

Soccer is a pretty simple game to play and succeed in if you know the rules of the game and how it works. Soccer has many parts, rules, boundaries, strategies, positions, tactics, and overall guidelines. Each of those things are crucial to understand and learn...

• Competitive Sports

On the Soccer Field: A Shared Language, Knowledge, and Values

Soccer is a sport that is beloved by millions of people around the world. It brings people together and provides a sense of community and belonging. However, the soccer field is not just a physical space where people play the game. It is also a...

The Creation and Unification of the Game of Soccer

Humans has created a lot of ball games, since antiquity. It is known that this sport existed both in the culture of the Mediterranean Sea and in America. The oldest and most revealing finding dates back to a relief from Ancient Greece 400 BC, where...

Overview of Physical Requirements and Rules of Soccer

Soccer, commonly known as either ‘football’ or ‘association football’, is an internationally recognized sport. It traces back to almost two thousand years ago from Ancient China but much debate has risen within many countries proclaiming the sport was actually originated by them. During the 19th...

Usage of Analytic Data and Devices in Soccer

Introduction The game of soccer or football has historically been reluctant to accept changes of any kind. It is one of the least quantified team sports, it is not a game of numbers; it’s low-scoring, features few individual statistics and lacks the figures that many...

Report on the Improving Success of Malton Soccer Club

The Pickering Soccer Club has been informed as well as many other clubs have been informed, Malton Soccer Club is struggling. Pickering Soccer club would like to help Malton Soccer Club improve the club and receive better reviews. This report will look at the benefits...

Best topics on Soccer

1. The Soccer Discourse Community: Passion, Identity, and Global Connection

2. The Issue of Racism in Soccer: Causes, Effects, and Ways to Combat

3. Soccer as My Hobby and How It Shapes My Life

4. Soccer Vs Basketball: The Uniqueness Of Each Sport

5. Bend It Like Beckham: Exploring the Differences with One Hobby

6. The Joy Soccer Brings to Me and Many Others

7. How Rules in Soccer Make the Game Entertaining

8. On the Soccer Field: A Shared Language, Knowledge, and Values

9. The Creation and Unification of the Game of Soccer

10. Overview of Physical Requirements and Rules of Soccer

11. Usage of Analytic Data and Devices in Soccer

12. Report on the Improving Success of Malton Soccer Club

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, is writing about sports in my college essay too cliche.

Hey guys, I've been super involved in soccer throughout high school and it's a big part of who I am. I can think of a few good stories to tell, but I've heard that sports essays are overdone. Thoughts? Should I still go for it or try to find a more unique angle?

Absolutely, you should write about your experiences with soccer if they have played a significant role in your life. It's true that sports can be a common essay topic, but what makes your essay stand out is the unique perspective and personal insight you bring to it.

Focus on a specific aspect or moment in your involvement with soccer that sparked personal growth or taught you a valuable lesson. The key is to delve into how this experience shaped you rather than simply recounting events. You also generally want to try to avoid common storylines, such as overcoming an injury or winning a big game after a tough season. You can find more info here: https://blog.collegevine.com/cliche-college-essay-topics

For example, a student I worked with chose to write about the leadership skills they developed as a team captain and how it empowered them to initiate community service projects within and beyond the team. Your stories could offer a similar depth, reflecting on the aspects of perseverance, collaboration, or integrity you've cultivated through soccer. In your essay, ensure that you're reflecting on your soccer experiences in a way that reveals your character, values, and potential contributions to a college campus.

Ultimately, no topic is too cliché if you can present it in a way that is authentically you and if it aligns closely with the message you want to convey to admissions officers.

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Essay on Soccer Game

Students are often asked to write an essay on Soccer Game in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Soccer Game

Introduction to soccer.

Soccer is a popular sport played worldwide. It involves two teams, each with 11 players. The game’s objective is to score more goals than the opposing team within a set time.

The Gameplay

Players move the ball across the field by striking it with any part of their body except their arms and hands. The team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.

The Importance of Soccer

Soccer is more than just a game. It teaches teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. It’s a fun way to stay active and make new friends.

250 Words Essay on Soccer Game

Introduction.

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is more than just a game; it’s a global phenomenon. Its simplicity, accessibility, and universal appeal make it the world’s most popular sport, transcending cultures, languages, and borders.

The Essence of the Game

Strategic complexity.

Despite its apparent simplicity, soccer is a complex game that requires strategic thinking. Coaches and players must constantly adapt their strategies based on the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents, the current state of the game, and even the weather conditions.

Role of Teamwork

Teamwork is vital in soccer. Each player has a specific role, and the team’s success depends on how well these roles are executed. From the forwards who score goals to the defenders who protect their own goal and the goalkeeper who is the last line of defense, every player is important.

Soccer’s Global Impact

Soccer has a profound social and cultural impact. It brings people together, fosters a sense of community, and promotes values such as teamwork, discipline, and fair play. Major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup are watched by billions, demonstrating soccer’s unifying power.

In conclusion, soccer is more than just a game; it’s a strategic and social activity that promotes teamwork and unity. Its global popularity is testament to its universal appeal and its ability to transcend cultural and social barriers.

500 Words Essay on Soccer Game

The history and evolution of soccer.

Soccer, also known as football in many parts of the world, is a sport that has existed in various forms for over two millennia. The modern game we recognize today was formalized in England in the mid-19th century, but its roots trace back to ancient civilizations like China, Greece, and Rome. The universal appeal of soccer lies in its simplicity, requiring only a ball, a field, and two teams ready to compete.

The Rules and Structure of the Game

Strategy and tactics in soccer.

Soccer is not just a physical game but a cerebral one as well. Teams employ various strategic formations, like the 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or the 3-5-2, to maximize their strengths and exploit the opposition’s weaknesses. Tactics can vary from fast, direct play to a slower, possession-based approach. Managers and coaches play a pivotal role in devising these strategies, making soccer a fascinating blend of individual skill and collective strategy.

The Cultural Impact of Soccer

Soccer has a profound cultural impact worldwide. Major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup unite nations and create a sense of shared identity. Soccer clubs often reflect the character of their local communities, and players can become national heroes or symbols of cultural pride. The sport has also been a platform for social change, tackling issues like racism and inequality.

The Future of Soccer

In conclusion, soccer is a complex and vibrant sport that transcends beyond the boundaries of the playing field. Its simplicity, strategic depth, cultural significance, and promising future ensure its position as the world’s most popular sport. As we look forward, we can anticipate soccer continuing to evolve, captivate, and unite people across the globe.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Essays on Soccer

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Different Positions in a Soccer Team

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Soccer is a Team Game

A specific sport like soccer, types of training to increase the efficiency of the soccer player, help to permanently injured soccer players, the inequality in men and women's soccer in spain and the usa, review of the history and benefits of soccer, factors that lead to the success of a football career, personal writing: improving my talent as a football player, evaluation of whether footballers are overpaid, a look at leadership by a football player, the first world cup, race towards the goal, personal experience of connecting with my football team, developing the spirit of football in africa, fifa 19: top 5 overrated players, the risk of concussions in professional football, review of our last game against watford, the premier league on american television, the professional soccer career of bastian schweinsteiger, overview of the history of soccer in africa.

Soccer is a team sport played with a spherical ball between two teams of 11 players.

The two teams compete to get the ball into the other team's goal (between the posts and under the bar), thereby scoring a goal. Players are not allowed to touch the ball with hands or arms while it is in play, except for the goalkeepers within the penalty area. Players may use any other part of their body to strike or pass the ball and mainly use their feet. The team that has scored more goals at the end of the game is the winner; if both teams have scored an equal number of goals, either a draw is declared or the game goes into extra time or a penalty shootout, depending on the format of the competition.

Hook Examples for Soccer Essays

World cup fever hook.

""The world unites every four years in a frenzy of excitement and passion known as the FIFA World Cup. Join me as we kick off our exploration of soccer, a sport that transcends borders and brings people together.""

The Beautiful Game's Global Impact Hook

""Soccer isn't just a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon that influences nations and inspires generations. Explore the profound impact of soccer on societies, politics, and identity.""

From the Streets to the Stadium Hook

""For many, soccer starts as a simple game on the streets or in dusty fields, but it can lead to dreams fulfilled on grand stadiums. Delve into the journeys of players who rose from humble beginnings to international stardom.""

Passion and Loyalty in Soccer Hook

""Soccer fans are known for their unwavering passion and loyalty to their teams. Analyze the unique bond between supporters and their clubs, exploring the chants, rituals, and the electric atmosphere of soccer matches.""

The Artistry of Soccer Hook

""Soccer is not just about scoring goals; it's about the poetry of movement, the artistry of passing, and the precision of tactics. Join me in exploring the elegance and creativity that define the game.""

Soccer's Role in Social Change Hook

""Soccer has the power to drive social change and break down barriers. Investigate how the sport has played a role in addressing social issues, promoting inclusivity, and advocating for equality.""

The Thrill of the Penalty Kick Hook

""In the high-stakes world of soccer, the penalty kick is a moment of intense pressure and drama. Join me as we dissect the psychology and strategies behind this exhilarating aspect of the game.""

Diego Maradona, Michel Platini, Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Lionel Messi, etc.

No one knows exactly when soccer was created, but the earliest versions of the game can be traced back 3,000 years. Soccer is the most popular game in the world. In many countries it is known as “football”. In England, soccer was formed when several clubs formed the Football Association about 150 years ago.

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218 Football Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

In your paper, you can talk about famous soccer players, or you could discuss the physics involved in a standard game. Our team came up with 130 football topics to write about in this article to help you find the right idea.

🏈Top 10 Football Research Topics

✅ most interesting football topics to write about, 🏆 best football topic ideas & essay examples, 👍 unique football topics to write about, 🔎 good research topics about football, ⚽ interesting football essay topics, ❓ football research questionss.

• The differences between American football and rugby.
• The history of football.
• Controversial football scandals.
• Corruption in the football business.
• How football and soccer became different games.
• Psychological strain of losses in football.
• The medicine of soccer training.
• What is Gaelic football?
• Economic impact of football championships.
• Recovery from trauma in rugby players.
• Football and Soccer: Differences and Similarities The team usually consists of eleven players and the game is played on a field that has goals on either end of the field.
• Playing Soccer Game: Personal Experience During the game, I paid the main attention to team strategy and the configuration of players around the point of action.
• Manchester United Football Club The outcomes are measured in the line of success in financial management, performance at the pitch, the number of games won and lost, the number of trophies won within certain duration of time and also […]
• The Problem of Racism in Brazilian Football Skidmore describes it as the relationships that could result into conflict and consciousness and determination of the people’s status in a community or a particular group. In football, racism damages pride of the players and […]
• How governments and global processes influence football The involvement of government in football activities basically seeks to: promote public order; maintain the health fitness through promotion of the sport; promote the prestige of a community or nation; create and promote a sense […]
• Which Is More Profitable, Baseball or Football? There are other sports which are more profitable than the two but the argument here boils to which sport between the two is more profitable. In regard to the ticket price, baseball becomes more profitable […]
• Real Team Football Club’s Business and Marketing Plan Our mission: “Through commitment, Innovation, and Creativity to raise and sustain the brand of football success on the field by providing moral, physical and psychological support and ensuring financial stability of the group and the […]
• Project Charter for Construction of Football Pitch at Coventry University The main purpose of the project is to construct a high-tech football pitch for use of the students at Coventry University, which shall minimize the cost of renting playgrounds and avail easy access of the […]
• The Usage of VR Technologies in Football In sports, VR is on its way to becoming one of the essential tools for a sports organization that aims to acquire a competitive advantage.
• Football Fundraising Charity Project As for the first one, namely the establishment of the tournament, it is planned to gain profit from selling tickets to see the match.
• How Football Has Impacted Our Society in Many Ways To observe this, it is best to take a look at the current National Football League system and how it became the most profitable sports league in the U.S.
• Planning for an Intramural Soccer Event The same goes for the organization of games, recruitment of referees, and raising the money required to hold the event. The operational plan was a significant determinant of the success of the event.
• The Offside Rule Concept in Football An offside position is a situation when a player of the attacking team is closer to the opponent’s goal than the ball and the opponent’s last player except for the goalkeeper during passing.
• Personal Experience and Impressions of Watching a Football Match This restricts Manchester United’s players from accessing the last quarter of the area to Aston Villa’s goal post. The goal of the match was scored by Agbonlahor who shielded off Manchester United’s Wes Brown.
• International Relations, Development and the Football Industry The paper is proposed to be divided into two parts: first will deal with football and its usage in political diplomacy will be discussed along with football as a means of creating national identity in […]
• Football Impact on England’s Culture This paper will study the various impacts of football both on the social life of people and on the economy of the country.
• FC Barcelona: Achievements and Impact The team also boasts of Lionel Messi who is arguably the best player of the current generation of footballers in the world.
• The Social Media Effects on Football Clubs Throughout the season, the English Premier League uses its social media channels to connect with fans, share updates and highlights, and promote the league and its teams.
• Arsenal Football Club PESTEL Analysis Finally, advertising using the new technologies in the market has helped Arsenal Football Club to reach a large portion of football fans.
• Amateur Football Club Database Design For the enhancement of data management, a local amateur football club needs database program to keep personal data of its member in order to have the record of attendance of the club member, best club […]
• Football and Nationalism in Argentina Among the most popular sports in Argentina is football with Boca Juniors and River Plate as some of the best-performing clubs hailing from the country. Despite political turmoil, Boca Juniors and River Plate transformed the […]
• Football in Ghana and Its Relationship With the Rest of the World Due to the formation of the first regulating body of soccer in England, 1866 would prove to be one of the most crucial years in the sport’s history.
• Senior Management: Soccer Tournament It is chosen as the central deliverable because the successful organization of the tournament is the most desirable outcome of the project.
• Federation International Football Association Management Specifically, in a later section, the paper will highlight issues such as poor governance, the flouting of various ethical principles, and mismanagement of the organization’s resources as key elements that triggered the need for leadership […]
• Impediments to Football Development This could not be attributed to the standard of the game in the leagues but probably other factors within the administration and the players and fans. Of importance is the structure of the administration of […]
• The Lack of Soccer Popularity in the U.S. Lack of soccer popularity can be traced from historic events as well as the lifestyle of Americans.”American children grow up with the mentality that soccer is to be played for fun which is not an […]
• 2014 FIFA World Cup Analysis Thus, the given essay will focus on various effects that this event had on Brazil and the challenges that the nation faced while hosting the given international tournament.
• Football Industry as a Socially Responsible Business The process extends much beyond the mandatory rules and regulations and is more of giving back to the society in which the organisation operates and using resources in a responsible and sustainable manner.
• Soccer in America: Its History, Origin, Evolution, and Popularize This Sport Among Americans The coverage of the history of this game which is also popularly known as soccer is quite diverse and different ideas have been put across as to where the game originated and its evolution to […]
• Real Madrid Football Club: Business Model On the whole, it is difficult to assess who has more power: the players of the club of Real Madrid, or the club itself as an organization.
• American Football’s and Soccer Comparison It is possible to say that the thirst to be better than the rest of people and to be the winner is in the nature of human being.
• FIFA World Cup The aim of the sport was to direct a ball towards a miniscule hole with players being allowed to touch the ball with any part of part of their body but the hands.
• Football and Rugby The first one is in the measurements of the playing field. Moreover, two rows are marked to run parallel to the side lines and are close to the middle of the field.
• Inter Families’ Football Competition Event Based on my analysis, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the inter families football competition, the most important and interesting event in my community.
• Manchester United – Football and Finance Football is a game that is played all across the globe; millions of fans watch the game each day and enjoy the experience of watching it.
• UEFA Cup Football Competition Winners and Histor With the merging of the UEFA Cup Winner’s Cup to the UEFA Cup in 1999, domestic cup competition winners could now enter the UEFA Cup competitions.
• Football History and Rule-Based Management The sport is governed by 17 laws that are contained in the official Laws of the Game published by the International Federation of Association Football.
• South Africa World Cup and Destination Marketing The host had to create an African impression in every aspect from architectural designs of the stadiums to the opening ceremony because the event was to be held in Africa.
• Cranial Brain Injury Implications for a Football Player In the case of a severe blow to the back of the head, the brain performs concussive movements between the back and front walls of the skull.
• Rhetorical Modes to Use When Discussing Soccer The advancement of urbanization and industrialization led to a reduced leisure period coupled with constant violence that undermined and slowed the game’s development. The team that outscores the rival is the winner, while scoring the […]
• Medical Examination Before Joining a Football Team To detect any cardiac issues that may exist but are not manifested in the boy’s daily life, the school uses a stress test or exercise tolerance test can help record the heart’s activity and how […]
• Is Headgear Necessary in Football? Indeed, it is essential to consider the consequences of wearing headwear in football to understand whether it can be mandatory or not.
• The Scandal during the Soccer Match between Brazil and Tunisia Such incidents interfere with cohesion in society and the state because there is a division between supporters and sympathizers. People and organizations sanction those at the center of the scandal, which, from a sociological point […]
• Innovations and Culture of British Football Consisting of some of the best clubs and with a significant number of fans, this football league is an example of sport as entertainment.
• Statistical Analysis: Soccer Premier League Because all of the data used in this project were of the quantitative type, it was relatively easy to calculate the values of the central tendency measures for them.
• Sport Management: Analysis of Roy Keane – Football Player In the case of Roy Keane, playing perfectly well was his priority when he joined Nottingham Forest, as that was the only way for him to realize his dream.
• The National Football League Tailgating Rituals The social activities associated with fun that fans enjoy serve as a motivator for members to show their loyalty to the team by attending or watching all of the team’s matches.
• The New Orleans Saints Football Club’s Social Activity The name of the team is a reference to the legacy of New Orleans jazz music. Against this background, the relations of the charitable sector with business and organizations began to develop in a completely […]
• Soccer Participation Issues in New York City My goal today is to describe the problem we as a soccer community face, discuss some of the solutions that would help resolve it, and the projections for the future with the benefits for a […]
• Commercialization of College Football in the United Kingdom The author offers to focus specifically on college football in that it is one of the most popular sports in the United Kingdom.
• Aspects of Intercollegiate Football In the United States, this type of intercollegiate athletics football is supported by many collegiate sports associations, including the NCAA, the NSAIDs, the NCCAA, and the USCAA.
• Football Association of Ireland’s CSR and Sustainability Strategy Analysis The debate over the issue of corporate social responsibility has started in the 1950s and its definition has been changing in practice and meaning since then.
• Player Performance Metrics in National Football League One of the key business issues in regards to the selected sport is the evaluation of player performance metrics, which is especially critical in regards to quarterbacks, who are responsible for scoring touchdowns.
• Emirian Football Fundraising Charity’s Fund-Raising Project Therefore, the project charter for the Emirian Football Fundraising charity project will cover the scope of the goals and the people that will be involved in meeting the project milestones.
• Bobby Bowden, the Greatest College Football Coach Unfettered by his successes as one of the most triumphant college coaches in the history of football, Bowden said his relationship with Jesus was more significant than any of his accomplishments as a player and […]
• The Soccer Industry: Overview Soccer has become a major actor in the business sector around the globe today. In fact it has become a major industry worth billions of dollars a year.
• Fifa Football Organization: Marketing Strategy Prospective marketing partners are categorically divided as, FIFA partner, FIFA world cup sponsor and national supporter.
• Strategies of Football and Tennis Coaches in the UK To identify the coaching leadership styles used by football and tennis coaches To compare the motivations for using coaching leadership style in football and tennis To uncover the effect of the coaching leadership styles on […]
• Plyometric Training for Female Soccer Players Jump performance capabilities were confirmed to improve in all the studies except the one by Ramirez-Campillo et al, who found the implementation of plyometric training is not associated with the extra impacts on female soccer […]
• Quality of Customer Experience in Football It should be mentioned that Yoshida’s determination of the listed encounters, quality dimensions, and attributes in the sport will be utilized to investigate the phenomenon of the quality of customer experience in football.
• Geometry Web Quest for Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Golf, Volleyball and Pool Field for golf is the biggest and made of grass, sand and water and is the biggest and it has no fixed shape. Soccer field is made of grass or synthetic material and is the […]
• Brain Injury While Football Playing The main reason for conducting this research is to understand the dependency of the head injuries got in childhood after the development and changes in the human brain in adulthood.
• Academic Economics in International Football Business The contribution of the academic economists is that they help in the integration of the labor impact of football business to the households.
• Legislations and Their Contributions to Football Safety This was largely as a result of a collision between two sets of people who were leaving and entering the stadium; these fans were reacting to the activities going on in the field and most […]
• FIFA’s Public Image: Issues and Mitigate the Damage It is strongly recommended that the president does everything in their power to assist the FBI and any other authorities in reviewing the conduct of FIFA’s executives.
• Ernie Davis as a Football Role Model He was an exceptional player born ahead of his time, as he stood out on the football field as the first African American to win the Heisman trophy in 1961, and to be chosen for […]
• Soccer Articles About Kings of Diving Further, it is intriguing to realize that not only is it a commonplace practice, but it is utilized by some of the top players in the league.
• History of the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League The AFL admitted the Raiders partly due to the lobbying of the Los Angeles Chargers owner, effectively inheriting the draft picks of the Minneapolis club.
• FIFA 10 Football Simulation Video Game A lack of consistency is evident in the various versions of this game as FIFA 10 played on a PC lacks the realism that is exhibited when the game is played on XBOX 360 and […]
• FIFA: The World Football Governing Body This paper examines an article on how FIFA, the world football governing body is successful in marketing activities.”The Federation International de Football Association, an organization that was founded in 1904 by a few cosmopolitan football […]
• Economic Climate Impact on Football Clubs in the UK This raises the question of the impact of the present and future economic trend of the UK on football clubs of the country.
• Soccer and National Identity The jubilation and merry that is evident during the topmost soccer challenge in the world commonly referred to as FIFA world cup is testimony to the immense love that fans have for this game as […]
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• Gaming Industry: FIFA 09 Analysis The advertisement which will be analyzed in this paper is of FIFA 09, the game is a sequel to the FIFA series which is released by EA sports each year.
• The Development of Soccer Analysis The fifth chapter is devoted to the analysis of interesting and relevant issues of the reasons of low popularity of soccer in the United States where other sports like baseball and basketball are dominant.
• The History of Alabama Football: The Stadium, Team and Passion Before the home game began there was a video that was sent showing the famous play from Alabama history which had the voice of the founder of this team that is the bear Bryant and […]
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• Relation Between Money and Football In the English league, clubs have been spending millions to sign up a player in the hope that the player will turn the fortunes of the company for the good.
• Canadian Women’s Soccer Team’s Sport Marketing This paper identifies the best sponsor for the Canadian Women’s Soccer Team and how the two can collaborate to deliver positive results.
• National Football League’s Digital Media Strategy Louis and the Riders to Oakland, as well as the creation of the Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars, increased the sport’s popularity.
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• The First Aid Knowledge of Youth Soccer Coaches To establish the interrelationship between the years of work and success in the First Aid Assessment test, a Pearson Product Correlation was used.
• Soccer Influence on Sociopolitical Aspects of WWI During this period, many footballers and athletes were tempted or encouraged to join the militaries of their respective countries and become part of the ongoing war.
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• The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, it will take place in the Middle Eastern region.
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• National Football League’s Social Performance The success of NFL is also attributed to the ‘survivalist’ mentality of the organization. Community members are very significant and influential to the operations of NFL.
• The Australian Football League Expansion The Australian Football League is the most competitive professional competition in the sport of Australian Rules football. The final marks the end of the season and the winning team is crowned as ‘the ‘premiers.
• Total Quality Management in the EU and Football Association The European Commission and the council of the European Union are the chief institutions of the EU. In addition, the court of Justice of the European Union is a key legal institution of the EU.
• Football in Saudi Arabia: The Soccer Al Nasser Club The sport was introduced to the Kingdom following the relations between the Europeans and the Saudis in the 20th century. The club has many supporters in Riyadh and the rest of the country.
• The Developement of Soccer in the Past Century The side that will have put in the most goals at their opponents’ side by the ending of the game is the winner.
• Melbourne Football Club Marketing Analysis Members and supporters of the players want to see an overhaul of the operation and management of the Club. Rationale The Demons need to rebuild their brand by making changes to the club and marketing […]
• The Use of Technology in Soccer Additionally recent events starting from the 2010 world cup where England’s midfielder Frank Lampard was denied a goal and Chelsea being awarded a goal that the ball had not crossed the line attest to the […]
• Price of Football Players The theory of marginal revenue product of the players demonstrates that the price of a product or marginal revenue of a product depends on the price of the last good that was sold and on […]
• Virtual Reality in Soccer Training The following work will focus on the analysis of the use of Virtual Reality in the training of soccer players with the evaluation of the practices adopted by particular soccer teams.
• Negotiation Beetween the National Football League and the National Football League Players Association NFLPA has players and the board to represent in this negotiation. The parties must redefine and broaden the problem to make it tractable.
• Football and media in the UAE The UAE government has been putting in a lot of effort to promote good media relations between stakeholders in the game and the media.
• Soccer player – Karl Henning His marketing strategy will also help him increase his customers of the age of 6 to 10 who have a low level of awareness.
• Brazil’s Bid’s to Host the 2014 FIFA World Cup The main purpose of this section is to elucidate the internal strengths and weaknesses of the FIFA World Cup event which, in the view of the Brazil bidding board, could substantially influence the trajectory and […]
• The International Federation of Football Association In addition, FIFA has six components that oversee the progress of football activities in all continents and act as a link between FIFA and other nations of the world. FIFA is an association that has […]
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Soccer: The World’s Most Popular Sport

Reading comprehension – football (soccer), comprehension:.

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On Soccer With Rory Smith

The enduring appeal of ronaldo, soccer’s original phenomenon.

The Brazilian striker’s lasting power lies not so much in a deep trove of highlight clips, but in what he showed was possible.

By Rory Smith

It is not, by any means, Ronaldo’s most significant goal. That title, by virtue of the status of the stage on which it occurred, must go to his second in the 2002 World Cup final , the one that steered with geometric precision past Oliver Kahn to restore Brazil to the pinnacle of global soccer and to crown his personal journey to redemption.

Nor is it his most beautiful. It is not, for example, the equal of the thunderbolt that completed his hat-trick at Old Trafford in 2003; or the elastic double shimmy that left Luca Marchegiani, the Lazio goalkeeper, clawing at air in the 1998 UEFA Cup final; or the blend of drive and delicacy that allowed him to barge through the entire Valencia defense in 1996.

In mitigation, the list of great Ronaldo goals is an unusually packed field, best illustrated by the fact that none of those already mentioned are regarded as Ronaldo’s masterpiece, either. That honor, instead, goes to the moment when he sprinted from the halfway line, the ball at his command and the entire Compostela team in his wake , during that year at Barcelona when it seemed he could do almost anything.

El martes volverá @Ronaldo al Camp Nou, ahora como presidente del Valladolid. 🔝⚽ ¿Es este su mejor gol con el Barça? HILO 👇👇👇 pic.twitter.com/VdI98YMoWo — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) October 26, 2019

That may be the goal that best explains the enduring appeal of the player who, in recent years, has come to be known variously as the “Brazilian Ronaldo,” the “original Ronaldo,” or even, particularly in Italy, as “Ronaldo Fenomeno.”

The goal truly worth remembering is a fairly typical sort of a strike. In the second half of a UEFA Cup match between his Inter Milan team and Spartak Moscow, on a bitterly cold afternoon in April 1998, Ronaldo picks up the ball from a Luigi Sartor throw-in, bounces off one challenge, exchanges passes with Iván Zamorano, slips through three more defenders, and slots his shot into a corner of the goal . He wheels away, arms outstretched, crucifix bouncing on his chest.

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Age is but a number for 23-year-old Lafayette Jeff girls soccer coach Cassie Dispennett

LAFAYETTE — Lafayette Jeff girls soccer coach Cassie Dispennett hasn't skipped a beat since playing her last college game less then a year ago at Indiana University Kokomo.

Dispennett, wearing white boots, received the ball at her feet, two quick moves before delivering a sharp and short touch to one of her players during drills while preparing for her team's match against rival Harrison last Thursday.

"She pushes us really hard and I see why," Lafayette Jeff freshman defender Arleth Teran said. "We've improved so much since the beginning and since she's pushing us, we are finding that confidence within ourselves and finding a new part of ourselves."

Dispennett returned to alma mater of Lafayette Jeff after graduating in 2019. She has brought with her fresh experience as a now former college player.

A year ago, Dispennett was still playing defender and started in all 22 games for the Cougars in her final season.

Now she's back in Lafayette and took the head varsity coaching role with having any previous coaching experience.

More: How Harrison soccer manager Aldo Robles overcame brain tumors and being cut from varsity

"I knew I definitely wanted to be a coach someday for Lafayette Jeff and come back to my high school but I didn't think it would come this fast," Dispennett said. "I'm totally happy that it did."

She was recommended for the job by former Bronchos coach Alyssa Mitchem who ran the program from 2020-23.

"I knew the athletic department very well and so they gave me the confidence to do it to run this team," Dispennett said.

Dispennett believes the age gap she shares with the players ranging from 14-18 has allowed her to be more relatable to the current players, in addition to being a former Lafayette Jeff player herself.

"I feel like I'm one of the high school girls," Dispennett said. "I feel like I have a great relationship with them and I love getting on the field with them. Practicing with them, scrimmaging them and its been awesome."

Lafayette Jeff has a program built for the present and future with 26 of the 36 players being underclassmen.

It's a strong underclassmen group led by freshman forward Piper Burke along with Teran and sophomore midfielder Cypress Collaco.

Burke scored 10 goals and Collaco scored nine goals as of Tuesday while Teran is proving capable of defending top forwards in the Lafayette area.

Lafayette Jeff (6-3-2) has four shutout wins and scored four or more goals four times to boot.

The Bronchos have strung together five consecutive winning seasons and won two sectional championships in their history in 2004 and 2010. Dispennett is hopeful she can bring an end to Lafayette Jeff's 14-year postseason drought with her class of young talent.

More: Cast your vote for Journal & Courier Athlete of the Week for Sept 9 - Sept. 14

"It makes me excited because I remember playing at Lafayette Jeff and we had to learn the foundation skills before learning the actual soccer," Dispennett said. "Getting a person fresh out of that and I get to keep expanding off of that instead of working on the foundation skills, I get to build them into the next level they can actually meet."

Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached at [email protected] , on Twitter at  EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson .

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Why I take at least 1 night off parenting every week

We mark the days on the calendar, treating them like essential, non-negotiable appointments.

When was the last time you took a weeknight off from parenting? Not a date night, not running errands , but a night purely for yourself.

If you’re like most parents, the answer is probably “before my kids were born.”

That was my answer, too. For years, I believed that spending every evening with my children was just what parents did. But the reality of balancing my career with the demands of parenting two toddlers just a year apart in age pushed me to the edge. 

At some point last year, I found myself perpetually exhausted, and, yes, admittedly snapping every so often at my kids and husband. I was running on fumes and reached a point where I needed a break — or else I’d break. 

That’s when my husband and I decided to try an experiment that on the outset seemed simple, but that we soon learned would be life-changing and life-giving: We would each get one or two nights “off” per week.

Initially, I had a hard time sticking to it. It felt too easy to default to our old ways, and I felt guilty for leaving my kids and for saddling my husband with their care. The idea of stepping away, even for a night, felt selfish. But as an introvert desperate for solitude and time to recharge, I realized that without some time off, I wouldn’t be able to give my family the best version of myself (or — if I’m being honest — even a semi-human version). 

So, my husband and I made a pact: Every week, we’d both have a night off to do whatever nourished our souls — no questions, no guilt. We marked these days on the calendar, treating them like essential, non-negotiable appointments.

Having a designated night off has felt like fresh air after years of holding my breath.

Once we did that, the impact was immediate and profound. Having a designated night off has felt like fresh air after years of holding my breath. Some nights, I’ve taken a solo hike or enjoyed a quiet dinner alone; other times, I let myself roam without a plan, savoring the rare and delicious freedom of unstructured time. 

It wasn’t long before I noticed a transformation in my parenting, too. I’ve become happier, more patient and joyfully present with my children. The time away isn’t just a luxury — it is a lifeline. Taking a break and having time to recharge is a necessity for my well-being, and thus for theirs.

When I started sharing our new routine with other parents, I noticed that many of them found the idea highly unusual and hadn’t ever considered taking this kind of time for themselves. (Before I tried it, I had never imagined it either!) And, living in a culture that glorifies self-sacrifice, especially for mothers, that makes sense. 

However, a few shared that they’ve taken similar “breaks” from parenting. Kelly Hubbell, founder of Sage Haus, an outsourcing platform for busy parents, has carved out a similar routine with her husband. He swims with friends on his nights off; she enjoys yoga or a moms’ night out on hers.

“It’s a necessary break to be more patient, kind and fully present, both with each other and our children,” she tells TODAY.com. “This rhythm has become essential for maintaining our sanity and nurturing our relationship.”

While having a partner certainly makes the approach a bit easier, fractional CEO and sales consultant Dora Rankin has always prioritized her own well-being, even as a single mom to two daughters.

“When the mothership goes down, everything goes down,” she tells TODAY.com. By taking regular weekends away with friends, she shows up as a stronger and more present mother. “My girls showed up just as strong, independent and self-sufficient too,” she adds.

Taking time off from parenting might seem counterintuitive, but it’s by far one of the best decisions we’ve made for our family. These breaks recharge us, enabling us to be more present, loving and fulfilled. As a result, every moment we spend with our kids feels richer and more meaningful.

It has also taught us a vital lesson: There are no strict “rules” to parenting. The more we give ourselves permission to break away from societal expectations and focus on what truly replenishes us, the higher the chances are that we can lead a life that feels truly aligned, even during these intense years when we’re dedicating so much of ourselves to our children. It’s easy to fall into default patterns — or frankly have so much on our plates we don’t come up for air to consider that there might be another way — but I’m living proof that this approach is a fast track to burnout. Thankfully, by stepping away from what we’re “supposed” to do, we’ve created a happier, healthier home for everyone.

For anyone feeling overwhelmed or burnt out, I encourage you to consider your own version of a night off. I know it’s easier said than done, and that even considering a night off requires a certain amount of privilege, but I also know how important it is to see alternative versions of what life could look like. Whether it’s scheduling solo time, hiring a babysitter or setting up a system with a partner, co-parent or friend, the key is to identify what you need on an ongoing basis, and not only give yourself permission to do so but to make it a priority. 

Your needs can’t always come last, because it’s only when we’ve taken care of ourselves that we can take care of others. In that sense, it’s the most selfless thing we can do for our families.

Gesche Haas is the founder of Dreamers & Doers , a highly curated community for extraordinary women entrepreneurs and leaders. She lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with her two toddlers, husband, and dog.