Level: 中学生3年生
Word count: 263
Soccer or Football?
I was born in England, the home of football. Nobody said ‘soccer’. That was the American name for football.
When I was a young boy, my family and I moved to Ireland. There, everybody said ‘soccer’!
But why?
In America, ‘football’ means ‘American football’, so they say ‘soccer’.
In Ireland, we don’t play American football, but we have a sport called Gaelic football. There, ‘football’ usually means ‘Gaelic football’.
Do you know this sport?
It’s played with a ball similar to a soccer ball. Some soccer skills are useful in Gaelic football, but the rules are totally different.
There are fifteen players on each team. A goal is worth three points, and if you put the ball over the bar between the posts you get one point.
You pass the ball by hitting it with your hand or fist, or kicking it. Running with the ball, you must bounce it or do a solo every few steps. Running while holding the ball, like in rugby, is not allowed.
Gaelic football is one of Ireland’s traditional sports, so many kids grow up playing it. Especially in the countryside, it’s normal to call this ‘football’.
That’s why I usually say “soccer” on the podcast!
If you have a chance, check out some Gaelic football on Youtube, or watch the All Ireland Final on May 5th! This year is between Galway and Mayo. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!
Vocabulary
situation 様子、事態、状況
similar to 似ている
worth 価値
fist 拳
a solo ボールを足に落とし、手に蹴り返す
every few steps 数歩ごとに
not allowed ダメ
traditional 伝統的な
especially 特に
check out 見てみる
