Why is wendyball so popular?

in the same vein, why were the Olympics so popular? as I keep getting told every time I have the audacity to complain about the procession of heroes *sniff* “each to their own”

Sorry Molgrips, you’re wrong – the structured nature, need for stricter rule enforcement and greater definition of roles within the team ( in rugby) mean that although initially appearing simple, footy is a far more complex game.

I am not so sure about that. Do you have deep experience of both?

American football is a funny one. Following the game is pretty simple, but very few people seem to understand the actual tactics and plays, and the commentators don’t really talk about it either. I’ve watched a fair bit now, and I keep asking people about the plays but even long term hardcore fans don’t seem to know. Which I find rather odd.

Generally that one point will the the result of a mishap, or fowl/penelty or whatever, and maybe it should have been called off-side, maybe it shouldn’;t have been….. so the score won’t necessarily reflect who the better team was. That makes the results are endlessly, endlessly, endlessly debatable and controversial. Ad Nausium.

I think you’ll find that comes under “we wuz robbed” 😉

Possibly because the very basics are so easy.

My not yet two year old loves kicking a ball, comes running up to me at the front door, when I get home from work, “Football” he shouts…. He’s got a sweet left foot, which is great as he’ll always get in the school/club team.

I might add that I have in no way pushed him in this direction, think he has picked it up from he’s 4 year old cousin.

Two little lads can kick a ball at each other but can’t really play catch.

See, most of the guys I know who play football are into a range of sports/activities and don’t spend large amounts of time watching/reading about it.

Well if you want inclusive… I worked with a few guys who were really handy. Played semi-pro, trials with top clubs etc, who, without a moments hesitation, would phone me up and say “Binners, such-and-such has dropped out. Do you fancy filling in? ”

Even though I’m a fat biffer who couldn’t hit a barn door with a shovel! they just want to play!

Imagine applying that principle, in spirit, to the sport we all know and love. Which is more inclusive? 😉

Juan, tu pêche à la traîne, mon vieux? Si oui, chapeau mon brave!

Molgrips, do you? 😉

My observations come purely from the perspective of someone who played both regularly and very, very badly for a few years.

I’m no expert, but football seems by far the more complex game, with greater possibility for self expression.

No, that’s why I asked 🙂

But there are many more variables in rugby, it seems far more intricate to me. I don’t know as much about football tactics but I do concentrate when watching it to try and figure it out.

I’m no expert, but football seems by far the more complex game

Honestly can’t see what you mean!

Juan, tu pêche à la traîne, mon vieux? Si oui, chapeau mon brave!

Yes, I would imagine he is.

T’es courant, Neal?

😉

Because like religion, kids are brainwashed into it at a young age (parents, PE teachers, RE teachers.) But some of us realise when we’re old enough to make our own decisions that both are a load of sh*te and at the top level run/played by ne’er-do-wells.

Of what ?

Juan est un singe effronté.
Et Marie Clare est dans le jardin avec Pierre.

Courrament…

Tablet typing fail on my part!

A – I’m sure he is.

B – Dark outside, but the security lights aren’t on, so I wouldn’t have thought so.

Because like religion, kids are brainwashed into it at a young age (parents, PE teachers, RE teachers.)

You may be right….

King James I of England’s Book of Sports (1618) however, instructs Christians to play at football every Sunday afternoon after worship.

Bloody Christians!
🙂

Courrament…

Not really, I can read more than I can speak.

Ah, d’accord!

La plume de ma tante est sur la table de mon oncle.

Because like religion, kids are brainwashed into it at a young age (parents, PE teachers, RE teachers.)

You wot?

PE teachers are paid to introduce you to sports and general fitness, and RE teachers would be instantly sacked for trying to actually promote any religion.

Ah, d’accord!
La plume de ma tante est sur la table de mon oncle.

🙂 good to know.

RE teachers would be instantly sacked for trying to actually promote any religion.

Have things changed since my Catholic School days then ?

I don’t even especially like football, but this can hardly be called the product of brainwashing…

I think it’s because it’s such a simple game – both the physical pieces of ‘kit’ you need to put a knockabout game together, as people have said above, and the rules of the game.

…and the people who play it and support it.

I hate football . Played rugby for my school and haven’t played a team sport other than paintball since I was 16 . I bet i’ve spent more time playing football than any other physical game in my 46 years . It is it’s accessibility that makes it so popular. I can if forced to watch it and feel qualified to criticize the abilities of the overpaid emotionally stunted stars of the premier league.

Crickey you’ve been reported as I don”t like to be insulted. There is some very touchy people on here. I don’t think the excuse of the “you can play with a sac of string” really works. Same could be said for handball and dodgeball. Three kids kicking a ball in the backyard isn’t really playing football is it? And why isn’t running even more popular as you didn’t even need the sac of string to play?

As others have already mentioned football’s accessibility is a huge factor in its popularity. It is an extremely democratic sport in that you don’t necessarily need to be a 6,4″ muscular person to play it well (Messi for example). It is easy to enjoy at novice level, can be played alone or with two, 10, 22 people etc, it can be played with minimal equipment and on a variety of surfaces.

Football is a very expressive sport, different players and teams can all have their own interpretations. There is a huge variety of goals, passes, moves and just when you think you’ve seen it all a player will come up with something new. It is also very spontaneous and free flowing in comparison with other sports.

Three kids kicking a ball in the backyard isn’t really playing football is it?

yes it is

And why isn’t running even more popular as you didn’t even need the sac of string to play?

because even runners find it boring 🙂

just when you think you’ve seen it all a player will come up with something new.

Occasionally, they come up with something new. On the other hand, the game of rugby changes quite dramatically over a few seasons, and has been doing so since professionalism.

Playing football is quite simply really good fun.

Watching it on TV is less fun.

Listing the names of men and the names of cities and amounts of money is even less fun than that.

I think handball is the only other one that can so easily be Played on all surface.

I suPPose footy is more PoPular because it was develoPed first.

why was it develoPed first I imagine it because kicking a ball is good fun.

Who ever said parents are lazy has not spent the last 7 years taking a small boy to training every week and then matches every Sunday afternoon ,as well as running the line and helping out at the parent senior club

Fudging hate all team sports pretty much. Closest I get is badminton doubles. Wendyball is the epitomy of everything I dislike about team sports! 🙂

A – I’m sure he is.

He’s been here long enough to know the score ( 😉 ), so yes
Weak effort IMO, no better than a RLJ thread – and using “wendyball” is just pathetic (and I’m sure a recently departed member might suggest it’s veiled misogyny too)
Two thumbs down and a 🙄 from me

Why not rugby or handball or basket ball

You wouldn’t want to touch the ball at some of the places where I played as a lad!

Fudging hate all team sports pretty much. Closest I get is badminton doubles. Wendyball is the epitomy of everything I dislike about team sports!

Does that include the team sprint and pursuit?

Nope I was not I was quite interested as apparently plenty of people here prefer football to cycling. I still don’t get it. Even from the demographics, every child does play daddy and mummy, or doctor, but not all of them get married and have kids. All play hide and seek but not all end up as silent assassins do they? As for wendyball, well how else would you define a sport where player are made of sugar and each time they get push a little too hard they fell on the floor and cry because they are hurt.

as apparently plenty of people here prefer football to cycling

I’ve never seen anyone say that.

But so what if they do.

There are lots of things I prefer to cycling, does that mean I’m not allowed here ?

As for wendyball, well how else would you define a sport (etc etc )

I call it “Football”

But that’s because I’m not trying to be devilishly witty and clever.

juan
Why not use Wiki and look up all the sports you mention,read the posts on here then have a think and you should be able to find the answer. 😉

Juan – are you being deliberately obtuse or just trolling?
Go and play a game of five-a-side at the local sports field and see how many people are made of sugar. Who knows you might just get why people like it.