Dear Dear Sports Fan Fan,
In the next week and a half, before the Women’s World Cup begins, I’m going to be releasing several email correspondence courses designed to help the beginner, intermediate, or expert soccer fan get more out of watching and following soccer. I’d love your input on what should be included. Here is my first draft of the contents. Let me know what I need to add, take away, or shift around! You can leave comments at the bottom of this page or send me email at dearsportsfan@gmail.com
Soccer 101
- Why do people like soccer?
- How do the basics of soccer work?
- How does the World Cup work?
- How do fouls in soccer work?
- Why do soccer players dive so much?
- Why do soccer teams spend so much time passing the ball backwards?
Soccer 201: Positions and Logistics
- What are goalies and what do they do in soccer?
- What are defenders?
- What are midfielders?
- What are strikers?
- How do substitutions work?
- What is stoppage time?
- How does overtime work?
Soccer 202: Culture
- Why do soccer fans whistle?
- Why is soccer so liberal?
- Why do players blame the ball?
- Playing good vs. playing well
Soccer 203: Crime and Punishment
- What is a penalty kick?
- What is a shoot-out?
- What are red and yellow cards?
- What is advantage?
- How does the offside rule work?
- What is a set piece?
- What kind of set pieces are there?
Soccer 204: Events/Leagues
- How does European club soccer work?
- How does the Champions League work?
- Why is Major League Soccer like a New York City co-op?
- What is El Clasico?
Soccer 301
- How does the away goals tie-breaker work?
- What is a nutmeg?
- What are some common soccer formations?
Thanks for your help,
Ezra