Football Stimulates the Senses - how can that be?
September 13th 2009 19:16
Signature Tune
To some, football is an ugly, uncouth, unsophisticated game.
It can be coarse.
Dirty.
Violent.
But that's why some are drawn to it. However, it's really much more than that.
URgkkk! that's my view of football, I don't mind ordinary people playing it but the idolatry and infamous fame of the game, so much a spectator sport - HELP - SAVE ME!
But, Matthew Sprague, The Berkshire Eagle, Pittsfield, Mass. in the American Chronicle gives a different perspective.
He says:
While many call soccer "the beautiful game," if you play or have ever played football, you know it to be just as beautiful -- if not more so -- when it comes to stimulating each of the five senses.
TOUCH: It's the least accurate word when it comes to describing the action of the game. There is no 'touch' in football, unless you're playing the version meant for kids.
In the real thing, there are only hits.
Tackles. Blocks. Blindside hits. Crack-back blocks.
And nobody gets more opportunities to hit than linemen -- both on offense and defense. Whether it's run or pass, you're at the beginning of the action. You MUST like hitting to survive on the line.
There's little glory, because you're the least likely to score in a game. There is, however, plenty of fun if you're a fan of the hit.
Some think the first day of full-padded practice is the best day of the season. It's nice to put the pads back on and actually thump them against someone else's pads, sure -- but you're hitting your own guys. You can only get so much satisfaction from that.
The season opener is the best day of the season. You get the same amount of joy in hitting someone, but it's finally someone you don't
like.
SOUND: It doesn't hit you in warm-ups. If you've got a coach who was a born motivator, it hits you just before you take the field. But there's one point where, if it hasn't hit you yet, it never will.
It's the walk to the field.
The fans know you're coming. The cheers get louder. The hairs on your arm stand on end.
That's when the beat hits you.
It may not make much sense yet. Two examples, though, should make it clearer.
One: Think about the opening of Queen's "We Will Rock You." That unmistakable beat.
Boom-boom CLAP. Boom-boom CLAP. Boom-boom CLAP. Boom-boom CLAP.
It's a simple beat. It's easy to do with your hands hitting your thigh pads. Maybe you keep the same tempo as the song. Maybe you speed it up as you go. Whatever you do, it whips you into a frenzy.
Two: Schools' marching bands will usually play before the teams hit the field. If they're coming off the field as you're heading out, they've got a cadence going to keep them in perfect marching tempo. Anyone who's ever been in band has heard it -- and might even hear it as they read this.
Click. Click. Click. (Boom, boom, boom.) Click. Click. Click. (Boom, boom, boom.)
It's hard not to walk to that beat; to pick up your own pace to follow the tempo. Sometimes, that's all it takes to pick you up and get you going.
SMELL: Admittedly, there's very little about the smell of football that's pleasing. It's 11 guys wearing heavy pads, sweating profusely under them -- while hitting 11 other guys doing the same thing.
It's unmistakable, sure but it really stinks.
TASTE: All that really applies here relates to water. Most of the time, it's no different than any other sport. You work out a lot and get a bit dehydrated. That first blast of water is the best relief you can get, and the best thing you can do for your body in that state. (A word to the wise, athletes: Get plenty of fluids and stay safe.)
During a game, the only thing a player will taste is sweat and a mouthguard. Without the mouthguard, you'll only taste your teeth clacking against one another when you hit or get hit.
SIGHT: Without it, there is no game.
If you're a football person, there's nothing prettier than a long TD pass or run -- as long as it's your side scoring. You hate seeing penalty flags fly. You'll watch in person or on TV.
This may not fully stimulate your football senses.
It should, however, remind you of the days that have and always will -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Well now, if it appeals to your senses it's got to be good for your brain - but not if it's the only thing in your life, and you know me, anything that is good for your brain is OK by me.
But surely the players are grossly overpaid to do it, a bit like movie stars and greedy business people, where will it all end? In revolution, I suspect, when the ordinary person is flogged so hard for so comparitively little to make others FILTHY RICH, it shoul be coming up shortly.
| 55 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Wilson Pon
Health 2 Know
Adventure Toes
boxing sound
Business Rope
Fun Places 2 Travel
By the way, do you love football, Katyzzz?
Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art