Modified soccer field and method of use

Abstract

A modified soccer (“football”) field layout and associated modified method of playing soccer on the modified soccer field layout are described. The modified soccer field layout is approximately the same size as a conventional soccer field layout. In one example, the modified soccer field layout also has two Forward Areas and two Forward Lines. In one example, the method of playing soccer on the modified soccer field includes at least one associated Forward Area Soccer Rule.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 850,641, filed Oct. 10, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a modified field layout for playing soccer (in U.S. parlance, otherwise “football”) and methods of playing soccer on the modified field layout. The present modified soccer field is approximately the same size as a conventional soccer field in length and width and the modified soccer game uses many of the same rules as conventional soccer.[0003]Soccer is the world's most popular sport, with over twenty-eight billion total viewers to the FIFA World Cup event and over one billion viewers to the televised World Cup Final. Spectator interest in soccer outside the United States is also very high for regularly scheduled, weekly televised professional soccer matches. However, adult spectat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present modified soccer game helps make soccer a broad-based, national spectator sport exciting to American (and other) sports fans. The present modified soccer game will help establish a larger spectator base for professional soccer in the United States and create a new market for sports media products and services, as well as soccer-related products and services in the sporting goods industry. The present modified soccer game will help accomplish these objectives while maintaining in some embodiments the same size field and goals as conventional soccer, with modifications to some of the rules of the game and some of the features of the field.

[0008]Viewer excitement would increase if individual players regularly had the opportunity to advance the soccer ball a significant distance against opposition, demonstrating exceptional ball handling skills and control, and if players could often set up different types of recognizable specific plays that lead to shots on goal. Viewer interest would increase if professional soccer games routinely ended with multiple goals scored by each team and numerous shots on goal throughout the game. Soccer would be much more exciting and entertaining to a typical U.S. spectator if an increased number of goals also routinely derived from impressive scoring events that clearly demonstrate exceptional athletic ability such as kicking powerfully and accurately over a longer distance into the goal, out running and maneuvering an opponent one-on-one with impressive ball handling, and set plays whose patterns fans can recognize and appreciate. In the present modified soccer game, these exciting events will occur more often in each game, transforming soccer into a major spectator sport for the U.S. audience. The present modified soccer game rewards aggressive play and encourages teams to pursue dynamic, attacking strategies. The intended result is more shots on goal, more goals scored, numerous set scoring plays that fans can recognize and appreciate, and more opportunities for demonstrations of exceptional ball handling skills, speed, and athletic prowess.

[0012]These elements provide the visual entertainment content to help establish and maintain a large, national, weekly sports spectator audience in the United States. American football, basketball, and baseball provide these spectator elements to U.S. television viewers. Conventional soccer does not. The present modified soccer game does this while maintaining the same overall objectives, equipment, and athletic skills as conventional soccer.

[0013]It is useful to examine some of the key elements of soccer's appeal outside the United States to fully understand how to create broad soccer appeal, e.g., in the United States. Many international soccer fans have a strong cultural affiliation with conventional soccer, particularly throughout Europe and South America. Conventional soccer is often considered a “beautiful” game and there is a strong national cultural attachment and pride associated with participation in the sport. There is also a very strong national pride for and affiliation with each country's respective soccer team. There is a strong national identity attached to each country's team, and in fact, many international teams are seen as playing conventional soccer in a manner and style that reflects the respective countries' cultures, and they are often seen as a version of the respective countries' personalities. In short, conventional soccer's vast international popularity is largely driven by a strong national and cultural affiliation with each country's own soccer team. Thus, a national affiliation with soccer at the professional level in the United States would help develop a broad, national spectator base for soccer in the United States. This third element, in addition to the two elements previously discussed, is intended help to develop a broad-based, national, weekly audience for a professional sport in the United States. Baseball, basketball, and American football are all viewed by Americans as American sports. This is currently not the case for conventional soccer in the United States, despite the women's Olympic team and women's World Cup victories. The present modified soccer game establishes a uniquely American brand that can also translate easily to other soccer-playing nations.

[0020]The present modified soccer game encourages powerful, visually impressive scoring events to occur several times per game. Additionally, the modified soccer game allows for more specific, recognizable scoring plays to occur often per game which viewers can recognize and which demonstrate strategy and great athletic skill. Further, the modified soccer game will help develop a national affiliation with soccer at the professional level. These features of the present modified soccer game will help establish a broad, national spectator base for soccer in the United States.

Problems solved by technology

Conventional soccer provides little opportunity for regularly establishing and executing set scoring plays that are easily recognized and demonstrate strategy and visually impressive athletic skills.

However, players rarely get the chance to demonstrate these skills during conventional soccer games to the extent required to drive interest for an American audience.

This, along with the low number of shots on goal, low scoring, and frequent 0-0 or 1-1 draws, make conventional soccer relatively boring and much less appealing to most U.S. audiences, compared to baseball, American football, and basketball.

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