Sociogenesis of soccer

 Although soccer is not a popular sport to watch in America, I feel it is a popular sport many young children at least try out. I personally played soccer for eight years and have always had a personal interest in why it never became as popular of a sport as it is in Europe and the Americas. Knowing only several facts about the origins of soccer, through some research I have found more answers about soccer's past.

Known as football in other countries around the world, traces of it can be found all the way back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries BC in China during the Han Dynasty where they kicked a ball into a net. There have also been some traces seen in Ancient Greek and Roman cultures, where they kicked around a ball for fun. However, its official beginnings started in England during the late 1300's to early 1400's where both King Edward III and King James I of Scotland banned soccer due to its growingly violent play. However, modern day soccer started in England in 1815 where the England School and Eton College came up with a set of rules called the Cambridge rules. These kept the rules of kicking the ball into the net but only allowed play with your feet. Formerly people played football or "soccer" by using violent rugby rules but, the Cambridge rules separated people into two teams and said that rugby rules which allowed things like tripping and kicking were not allowed. In 1863 the Association Football was established which set rules for regular matches and said it was not allowed to handle the ball with your hands. Up until this point it was solely men who played this sport and it stemmed from those who were interested in rugby. Old soccer equipment was similar to those today and consisted of shorts, short sleeved shirts, shin guards, cleats and a ball. However, when soccer first started it was played with a heavier ball made out of pig bladder that was inflated and not perfectly round. They also used leather cleats and eventually used leather to cover the ball to make them more round.  

olden day cleats

olden day soccer ball

 

modern day uniforms

  Current uniforms have used advancing technology to make the uniforms and ball lighter and easier to play with. Football spread around the globe quickly during the 1800's from British soldiers, traders, and sailers. In 1904 FIFA was established and by the 1940's organized soccer was being played competitively against different countries. A major event that took place in the sport of soccer was in the 1980's where girl athletes were allowed to play and have their own league. By 1991 the women had their own professional league and world cup. In America, soccer has had issues with gaining popularity from spectators and is one of the least watched sports in our culture. The women's league no longer exists and with lowering popularity professional soccer may be in jeopardy.  

References

Jezek, Geno. 2006. History of Soccer. retrieved 24 Jan 2014. http://www.historyofsoccer.info/ 

History of soccer-the origins. 1994. FIFA. retreived 24 Jan 2014 http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/history/the-game/origins.html

History of soccer in the United States. 2014. retrieved 24 Jan 2014. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_soccer_in_the_United_States#Women.27s_soccer