I can't help but comment on the new Gatorade commercial about the U.S. going to the World Cup. It has the "take me out to the ballgame" instrumental going on the background...amid all the hostile, evidently middle eastern, fans; the NFL-like tackles; the battered bodies; at least they thought about putting in a goal at the end. jeez. What a horrible commercial. When I saw this, the first thing I thought was "is this what Gatorade thinks is attractive to market this sport to Americans?" Cuz hey now, we have to admit, football the beautiful game, is not in high regard in the U.S. So unfortunate. A commercial like that in other countries would most definitely be about some fancy footwork and some combination play resulting in a breathtaking goal, the supporters going crazy celebating. Poor taste to show a group of fans with a sign saying "go away yankees" to get people psyched about supporting your team, rather than focusing on great performance from the players. Disappointing.
It's pretty difficult being a football/soccer coach here because of the heavy influence of the "big 3" american sports, moreso the NFL and the NBA. These sports have promoted such a limited appreciation of a more dynamic game, and players' creativity, that young players have a difficult time understanding and digesting the more multi-dimensional aspects of football. wow that was a mouthful. It's diagonal, it's horizontal, you can play backwards...and then I can't even begin to touch on the skill level required to use every body part except your hands to play. But I diverge...
I mean really, basketball has a shot clock: you don't hit the rim/score = turnover; "football" 10 yards: you don't make it = turnover. Focus on only forward movement and the coach draws up the plays. (It's a lil bit annoying having to deal with kids who are only encouraged to boot the ball forward) Of course, these sports have their own great players, no denying that. But it all seems so programed at times...What happens if the coach says Play 1 but the team runs Play 2? More like the coaches playing than the players. The demand for a winner, the inability to simply enjoy a good contest I think somehow takes away from the whole experience. A 26 inning game? Just to get a winner?! Come on now?! In Japan they call it a tie after the 12th. Shake hands and accept it. Appreciate the other guy was as good as you today. Celebrate the brilliant moves, the skill, the passion to play.
If you've never done it before, you should find a sport you like and go play pick up in a park or something, figure out everything yourself, refine your skill that way. That's what the Brasilians do and they have 5 World Cups to show for it.
ok its getting kinda late now, i wish i could sit and write one of these things without doing other stuff in between, takes FOREVER. I have to include here one of my favourite skills videos Tricky Football and also a closing thought:
Why is it called the "World Series" when it doesn't involve the world?
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4 comments:
the MLB world series is indeed a misnomer but the little league baseball world series played by kids is actuually international in scope. many asian teams, latin american teams, as well as north american.
american football as far as im concerned is unnaturally large men in spandex crashing into each other over an improperly shaped ball. i much prefer real football/soccer.
yeah i remember the last one, was great to see the kids like that. And then when the "real" world series came around last Feb/March was it? they called it the world baseball classic :-/
Let's try to make this as short as possible. :) First of all, I had not seen the Gatorade commercials, until 2 seconds ago, when I looked for it :)
I believe you have to understand how societies are different, in order to understand their preferences for sports (among other things, including marketing). American Football is a violent game, Basketball is very fast, no ties, and Baseball is a win-loser situation always. Americans NEED that. They need to win, they need to know who the best is at that moment. They need the violence, not because they're violent, but because winning with it means more effort, means there is (are) a hero (heros) in the game, they gave their sweat and blood (literally) for that victory. You're talking about people that have a history of going to war, war is necessary for the self-appreciation of their culture. War = violence + winner and loser, just like those sports.
Ok, so how do you market a game that has none of that (of course, it has violence, there are winners most of the time, and sometimes it is fast - but that's not the main game concern, and it's not ALWAYS like this)? Well, you make it look like it has all those "qualities". So the Gatorade commercial, even though terrible in our eyes, could definately bring some fans into the world cup (so they did ESPN a favor..).
Now let's go south and talk about Brazil (well, you mentioned us as an example, and that's the nation I know best, so..): very poor kids with no condition of getting expensive equipment for most sports (a soccer ball is only U$2, or free if you use a coke can as your ball), a game that can be played virtually ANYWHERE, people that like to dance (admit it, futebol is ballet with samba soundtrack!!), people that needed a cheap way of having fun, when coming back from their 10hour/day shifts with not enough money to support their 6 kids family. Who cared if they were going to score or not? All they wanted was to play with the ball, make some new moves, interact with their friends. Soccer meant anyone, of any age and social condition, could shine. Look at both Ronaldos.. extremely poor past, now they are millionaires. They shine, they're important. Are all Brazilians good? No, look at me for example. :) I suck! But I've played soccer all my life, as have most brazilians, boys or girls. So I can tell you that I am tons better than any other Joe/Jane from the US that didn't take soccer as their main sport choice. Of course! Practice makes perfection. That's why Brazilians have 5 cups (going for 6) - society mentality + background of EVERYONE, from any AGE, any STATUS playing since they were 1.
Sorry for the long post. We'll keep it going this weekend. :)
Oh, and I LOVE your world series question...and your post was brilliantly written!
Costa! awesome comment from a football-savvy brasilian :-)
Appreciate it.
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