Soccer 101
I couldn't resist, so I tuned into the USA-Italy World Cup match Saturday. I was probably not the only viewer who hasn't watched a soccer match in a long time, if ever. NBC should know that and make sure its commentators help keep novice viewers watching.
Sports announcers shouldn't talk down to their audience. But in this case, key terms that come up with key plays should be described. How was the play offside? What prompted the yellow or red card? Why a corner kick rather than any other kind of kick? Not with every decisive play, but take the time (a TV show-and-tell, if you will) to really inform the viewers. They might come back, even if the USA isn't playing.
Sports announcers shouldn't talk down to their audience. But in this case, key terms that come up with key plays should be described. How was the play offside? What prompted the yellow or red card? Why a corner kick rather than any other kind of kick? Not with every decisive play, but take the time (a TV show-and-tell, if you will) to really inform the viewers. They might come back, even if the USA isn't playing.
posted by Larry Benjamin at 12:23 PM
1 Comments:
You're right on the mark. I have trouble enough following American football. The subtleties of soccer are beyond me. The announcers should take a tip from square dance callers. Everyone knows how to square dance, more or less. Nevertheless, every good caller spends a portion of his time on instruction, to the great benefit of all.
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