bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

Soccer – Stoppage Time

The world of professional soccer has the strangest way of keeping time. There are 2 halves, each 45 minutes long, and the clock counts forwards and never stops. There is however actual time when the game is paused, like for injury, for out of bounds, for penalty shots, for replacements, etc. During all these times, the clock keeps ticking. Some official on the sidelines or in the booth keeps track of the time when no activity is occurring…this is called “STOPPAGE TIME.” When the 45 minutes of each half expires, an official on the sideline holds up a sign with a number of stoppage minutes (example: 5) which the on-field referee then adds to the length of that half…and the ref then keeps track of the extra 5 minutes on his wrist watch. Even the STOPPAGE time (say 5 minutes) can be extended by the on-field ref if there is STOPPAGE in the STOPPAGE time. When the half and the STOPPAGE time and extra STOPPAGE time is expired, the ref blows the whistle to end the half and the game. If, perchance, there was a ref who was not impartial, he could give his favorite team extra seconds or minutes to try to tie the game. During all this time, the players know they are in STOPPAGE time, but have to guess how much time is left in the game.

Why don’t professional soccer leagues simply follow the example of BASKETBALL and ICE HOCKEY and other timed sports, count backwards instead of forwards, and stop the clock when there is a stoppage of play? When the clock reaches 0, the horn sounds, and game over. Seems pretty simple solution!

cahale Loc: San Angelo, TX

Is soccer that activity where groups of people trot around on a lawn accomplishing nothing? I think I saw something like that flash by once while I was fast forwarding during a college basketball game to avoid commercials.

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

I guess you could say that ... given that a score of 1-0 is commonplace ... not a lot of goals! And then the announcer exaggerates by shouting: "GOOOOOOOOOOOAL," one word lasting about 10 seconds, to try to make the fans watching on TV think that one goal is really exciting!

joehel2 Loc: Cherry Hill, NJ

😆

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I don't get it either.
IMHO, a REALLY good soccer game highlight(s) can be aired in <1 minute.
I guess it is what you are used to watching. . . .
Best Wishes,
JimmyT Sends

swimbob Loc: Columbia, S.C.

Actually, it's the ref look the field that keeps time the whole game. The guy who holds the sign saying how much time has been added is a relatively new addition. It used to be nobody knew until the ref blew the whistle.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

Well, I guess they could follow the idea from American football, and award 7 points every time someone scores... Heck, you can hate the game if you like, but this oft-quoted reason is just silly...

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

Must have been set up by the British -- sounds like it was designed by the same people who invented Cricket!

John Matthews Loc: Wasilla, Alaska

And yet soccer is the most popular game in the world

Toby

Thanks for the explanation. I grew up with American football and love it. Never paid attention to soccer until my grandson got into the game. I mean really got into it. As a Junior in HS they have won the league championship each year and he was all-league goalie for 2 years. I shoot most of his games and discuss the game with him frequently. As a previously casual observer I now discuss strategy and many other nuances of the game. I think this is why many do not care for the game. They do not understand that it is as involved as our football if you really get into it. Unfortunately, if you watch it on TV they do not have the "color" commentator's like football so much goes misunderstood or not even noticed.

bobbyjohn Loc: Dallas, TX

.

GeneB Loc: Chattanooga Tennessee

They now have the color commentators in nearly all leagues with only one thing in common......they are annoying to the max. the U.S, guys are the worst. If I could get paid for being talked down to. I would never have any money problems.

limey

Strange how the rest of thw world thinks soccer is great, while Americans watch World Championships played only by American teams. Can't think of anything more boring than NFL, NBA and NHL games.

Bloke Loc: Waynesboro, Pennsylvania

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

Up there with Imperial (Americans) and Metric (rest of the world) measurements. Sorry couldn't resist.