re: The "US can't compete because athletes choose other sports" Argument

quote:

---

It has been happening for decades in our country and in England and Scotland.

---

shite the best athletes in the UK and Ireland play rugby anyway

quote:

---

No, I'm presuming the things that make them good at American sports are their pure athleticism. Because the majority of American sports utilize pure athleticism. Whoever runs the fastest, hits the hardest, jumps the highest is predisposed to succeed in the sports we like. Will they always succeed? Or course not. But those are by far the most important traits to a successful NBA or NFL player.

---

this is just flat wrong and shows a demonstrable misappreciation of what separates athletes at the highest level.

quote:

---

Ex-Popcorn

---

What you don't understand is that there is different type of "best athlete" for each sport.

You're throwing out all of these basketball players and many of them aren't built to play soccer.

quote:

---

this is just flat wrong and shows a demonstrable misappreciation of what separates athletes at the highest level.

---

Really? Because the NFL combine tests their awareness, intellect, touch and vision? Please.

quote:

---

There's a reason they take the wonderlic

---

So what does it say, then, that some of lowest wonderlic scores are still in the NFL?

Hell I'll share my own story on soccer development.

I played for 12 years. A few of them at a high level. The dc area can be argued as the best area in the states developing soccer players and the most competitive youth leagues.

I was that kid in the local house league at 8 and 9 scoring 4 goals a game just using my pace to beat everyone and a good finish touch. At all star tournaments I was having travel/select coaching recruiting me and having ODP telling me to come out. Once I started playing travel at 10 that pace didn't mean shite bc I didnt have those coached instincts that kids who been playing travel ball 3 years longer than me had. We had multiple coaches tell my parents to get me in high level training to help me develop my game. Knowing what I know now I wish I got the proper training.

But no I played fricking baseball which stunted my growth as a soccer player. Along with the coaches son breaking my leg in practice then him cutting me. Which was hilarious bc his kid didnt make the HS team. By HS time I pretty much knew my chance was gone so I just played for fun. Thing is I never lost my touch and ability to send a ball. Even at 29 and not playing for 4 years due to military bouncing around I played this year and could still drop a ball on the dime and place a free kick like a boss. Stuff like that is natural.

So basically its not about being the best athlete its about high level training from good coaches at a young age so you can play instinctively. To many times you see with american kids them trying to think to much out there or their brain getting crossed up. The athletic levels are fine its about developing that soccer brain and touch.

quote:

---

This is a reality. Yet, most of you are just saying: Screw athleticism, we need to fix youth development and training. Yeah...ok. Let's go for world peace while we're at it...

---

The countries who have become better at soccer in the last couple of decades did it through youth development, though, not just by becoming more athletic. It's how Belgium started pumping out world-class prospects.

quote:

---

What makes you come to this conclusion? Because I think your "resources" argument would actually support the idea that as a country, we have the money, vision, and ability to revamp our youth system to be on the same level as other countries, and therefore develop a more skilled and technical player.

---

Because it's not our culture, honestly. Parents in America want their children to try everything. And the kids want to play what they see glamorized in their real life. In other words, if it's not "cool" to the kids to devote their childhood to soccer training to the exclusion of other sports, then it's not going to happen.

quote:

---

Because it's not our culture, honestly. Parents in America want their children to try everything.

---

I agree

to become an elite soccer player take serious commitment from a young age. Its not like football where some random kid from africa or eastern europe shows up and can beast it from the HS level.