Why do they fake injuries in soccer so much?

Question

watching the world cup, i am amazed at the amount of times players fake bumps to pretend they are alot harder than they really are.not all teams do this, but its often obvious when it happens.
I prefer watching teams that play a sport, not who have been to the best acting classes.
what do you think?

Answer 1

this question has been asked a lot. i think its because there are a lot of people new to soccer now that it is on espn. i've played, coached and refereed and have dealt with this a lot. soccer matches depend on the health of the players playing. it is the referees job to protect them. most players - especially men - will act to draw the foul and gain an advantage. many players will pretend to be fouled in the box to get a penalty kick (basically a free goal).

personally i hate players that do this. they take away from the beautiful game that soccer is and make people that don't know the game not really like it.

and to those that think soccer players aren't athletic - a midfielder will run over 20 MILES in one game. a soccer referee will run about 7.

Answer 2

These are good answers, I just wanted to add that they also need to make it more dramatic to get the ref's attention because it's hard for them to pay attention to every player on the pitch at the same time.

Over time they've learned that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, so the players have learned to play it up a bit.

I actually don't mind it that much, to be honest. I think it's kind of fun to criticize their acting skills, because some players are just bad at it. And no one ever accuses the good fakers of faking because they're so good that no one can tell.

Answer 3

They do it to stop play sometimes. If the opposition has a good run up they dive like children to win a free kick. They do it to waste time--> especially if they are in the lead. But most of all they do it to cheat their way to winning the game. Take Italy for example, in that Australia match : | Although yeah most teams do it. Although some of the players or indeed goal keepers do it so that their team can rest for a minute or two and get refuelled with water. Very clever indeed (Robinson well done =P) lol

Answer 4

There r some players who believe that a real foul was commited to them, but don't think it will be noticed if they don't make it dramatic enough to be seen. There r other players who adapt it as a style of play (ie. the Italians...) and like it or not it is part fo the game. That's y we like having good referees who can tell the difference between a foul and a dive.

Answer 5

RyJa, what a moronic, ignorant, uninformed opinion! They are the greatest athletes in the world.

You try running non-stop for the length of a game and at the same time display amazing ball-handling skills and intelligence to think quickly and decisively -- I'll bet you'll fall flat on your face in all three categories.

Answer 6

fake injuries... aka desperate moves..
that is just another way for them to get a free kick and such..
it is totally unfair for the others..
n that's when a referee will be tested on his judgement.. thus resulting in a controversial decisions..
especially in the penalty area... referees have to be cautious...
that is where u can see who's playing footie or who's this year drama king...

Answer 7

ever watched baketball? Wrestling? they do it all the time! That's why basketball is for sukas. Wrestling is for guys who like guys that are closet cases! Soccer, well if you aren't that good fake the hell out of it.

Answer 8

This is the real world, no one can escape from acting, Shakespeare mentioned this long time ago..

Answer 9

So there is a penalty called

Answer 10

for wasting time and get free kicks