Soccer Informative Speech

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How many of you have ever played a sport competitively or considered yourself a crazed sports fan? Sports are a huge part of our culture in both the U.S. and around the globe. Soccer is considered the most popular sport in the world and is known for its fanatic fans. Today I’m going to tell you a little about the history of soccer, the importance of the world cup, and the impact of soccer on youth. No one really knows the origin of soccer; however there are many theories to where the sport actually began. Ancient military documents found in China discovered that they invented a sport called Cuju. This sport was played around the second century B.C. It wasn’t exactly soccer but the rules were similar. Players kicked a leather ball through…show more content…
The tournament is comprised of 32 nations that had to go through highly competitive qualifying matches to earn a berth in the World Cup. In total, 76 nations have participated in the world cup since it began in 1930. The World Cup was first televised in 1954 and is now the most widely viewed and followed sporting event in the world, even exceeding the Olympic Games. John Carlin asks in his article The Global Game, I quote “How did the world cup become our species' favorite pastime?” Some people take the sport very seriously, and think soccer and the world cup are not just a game. No other sporting event has the same impact as the World Cup. Entire countries grind to a halt to watch games; but no more so than Brazil where shopping and banking hours are completely altered throughout the tournament month and many just take an official month-long holiday. John Carlin asks in his article The Global Game, I quote “Why do people spend more time watching or playing soccer than they do engaging in any other social activity, with the possible exception of eating and drinking?” Sometimes fans get brutally crazy and their actions get extreme. A majority of the time it’s because their team or favorite player did not perform well in the World Cup. Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga was a very popular Colombian soccer player who was shot and killed when he returned home from the World Cup. It is…show more content…
Soccer is very beneficial and reduces health risks associated with obesity and inactivity. Just recently there has been a major growth in soccer popularity in the U.S. The sport encourages kids to turn off the T.V., get off the couch and get some exercise. Kids may also decide to play other sports which leads to a more active lifestyle. Kids who play sports are more likely to learn how to eat properly and to think in terms of which foods will benefit them the most. According to the article of Sports Pundit, The Benefits of Soccer, I quote “Athletes are often more careful about taking care of themselves and avoiding habits that can detract from their game.” Children who play soccer may also enjoy watching the game. Not only will they be able to learn more about the game but they may find excellent role models as well. These are habits that result in healthier living as a child grows older. When kids play soccer they learn discipline and how to get along with others which also promotes self-esteem. Soccer is a game that is equally fun for boys and girls. Kids who play soccer in small towns or begin playing when they are young are often part of coed teams. When boys and girls learn to work together as equals, lessons are being learned that will serve both sexes well in their future to come. Players develop a team attitude and become protective of each other both on and off the field. This is a plus for everyone

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