1+1 is 11

February 24th, 2008 [002]

On my third year playing soccer, I came across an obvious but subtle truth; that I really love this “simply complicated” sport. Since the season began two weeks ago, I found myself increasingly consumed in the sport, and it wasn’t long until it occurred to me that “life is like a game of soccer.” Now, I figure that many famous, un-famous, and/or infamous people alike have said something like this in the past, but I am not aware of any of them by name. So I think I want to go ahead and say what I think; that the details and characteristics of soccer closely resemble that of life itself.

The goal of soccer is, quite literally, to “make a goal.” The many or few balls that successfully advance through the defensive ford of the opponent, and manages through the ultimate crisis (which we call the goal keeper), is then called a goal. These goals together create a victory. I need not mention that life, also, requires a streak of succeeded goals, and self imposed victories.

During the game, a player is usually given many moments when he or she is the “owner of the ball.” He or she has the ball alone, and it is up to them to make that moment as fruitful as possibly can. I understand that this moment can be both a source of satisfaction and/or shame. Say that one managed to dribble through an opponent and make a goal. Say that another failed to secure the ball from an opponent, leading to a loss of point. Would one not feel pride while the other shame? Let’s now assume that the former had prepared hard for a moment like this during practices, etc. Practice makes perfect, and the seatbelt-ed person survives the car crash. At an important moment– one of life’s minor opportunities, the former has an advantage.

But now look at this from a 180 degrees angle. As a forward, I experience a few major opportunities. These opportunities, if conducted well, will lead to a goal. I would say that luck is also a skill necessary in soccer and life. Those who can grasp the chances given to them and make the most out of them– whether it is due to skill or luck– they are the “good players” that the team wants.

Now that I’ve mentioned it, the “team” is another important aspect. It’s rather simple: one cannot play soccer alone. There are eleven positions to be filled with those of different skill ranges, strengths and weaknesses. The victory of your team is the victory of yourself. In society, we find ourselves included and involved in many groups. It is rare that one wins alone. The swimmer wins a gold metal, but so does his country. A student is proud for being accepted to Harvard, but her school is proud too. This, I think is something that connects the world and society, and allows progress. Like in economics we say that the people’s self interest creates a balance. People’s self interest put together as a team creates a victory. This, for most cases is accepted and valued.

However, I must address an exception. Sometimes, one will cross the line between mutual self-interest and a covetous one. Nobody wants a player with self-interest to the extent to competing with fellow teammates. If a fellow forward of mine, for example, will not pass to anyone so she can be credited for more goals on her own, she will soon be disliked. So there needs to be a balance, you see.

I have mentioned some time ago that soccer requires preparation and practice, and that it requires luck and chance-use. These are what I call “hopeful” factors, or things about oneself that can be changed to improved by time and effort. However, in soccer, an inborn athletic talent is also important. The basic reflexes. Among the group of people who will try out for soccer for their first time, those with better reaction time, etc (things that cannot be improved by practice), are surely to succeed. The world is NOT equal. It’s time we stop saying that it is. Or else everyone would become the same-skilled players after the same amount of practice, and/or they will all reach Stanford after studying hard.

But, I like the world better this way. As I had said, soccer requires players of different skill ranges, strengths and weaknesses. It’s more unpredictable and surprising that way, I would think.