Patterns in childrens soccer

Discussion in 'Human Science' started by 730458, May 27, 2006.

  1. 730458 Registered Member

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    I'm doing a science project on why children swarm around a soccer ball as youths, why this changes with age, and is there a mathematical pattern to it.
    I would like some help as to where to get started with my research. what is the technical term for developing child movement. I can not word it correctly, as you can see. Thanks.
     
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  3. alexb123 The Amish web page is fast! Valued Senior Member

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    This seems a strange project.

    You are measuring social trends in children and drawing stats from it, seems very hard. It a longitudinal study for a start and I am sure you don't have very long.

    Maybe a good start point it to say where these children live as the geographical aspect is prob the most important.
     
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  5. redarmy11 Registered Senior Member

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    Geography's got bugger all to do with it.

    I'm not a psychologist, much less a mathematician, but it's almost certainly related to the egoistic view that young children have of the world, ie they place themselves at the centre of it. Where older players tend to see themselves as part of a team, young children blindly disregard everyone else - are probably only vaguely aware that there are other people on the pitch - and follow the ball on a whim, always wanting to be at the centre of the action.

    They can be discouraged by yelling "STOP BUNCHING!" very loudly.
     
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  7. alexb123 The Amish web page is fast! Valued Senior Member

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    Redarmy I disagree. If the children are playing in the streets of Brazil or a Public School in the UK, you will get very diff results.
     
  8. Rick Valued Senior Member

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    rofl@last line of redarmy11

    bwahahahaha

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    eace:
    Rick
     
  9. SkinWalker Archaeology / Anthropology Moderator

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    I don't think this is a phenomenon exclusive to children. I think you can find the same phenomenon among other age groups or even mixed-age groups if you find novice players. I've seen some children's soccer teams that have a bit of experience and they play like they do, dispersing in a team effort.

    Novices, however, see the ball as the focus of their actions and need to get to the ball in order to get the ball to the goal. With experience comes an understanding that the ultimate goal can be better achieved through teamwork.

    You mind find the same phenomenon in online video games where there is an object of capturing the flag. If you're able to set up an experiment in a controlled environment, you might consider this as an example. Set up 12 computers in two rooms, evenly split. Put novice players on a capture the flag game on each team and observe the results; then put experienced players on the same game and watch the difference. You might even be able to find an online soccer game that you can use.
     
  10. Pete It's not rocket surgery Registered Senior Member

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    [thread=55195]Earlier thread[/thread]
     

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