Soccer (Football)
Soccer may only be the third most-watched sport in the U.S., but on a global scale, football dominates the world. Throughout history, soccer balls have been made from a variety of materials—think clothing sewn together and stuffed, inflated pig bladders, and more!
- The Origin of Soccer: Learn more about the history of the world’s most popular sport, dating all the way back to 206 B.C.
- The 10 Greatest Soccer Nations: Who rules the game? Find out here.
- Soccer vs. Football: Why do Americans have their own name for the sport? It may have something to do with the Brits.
Rugby
Another sport widely known throughout the world—with little representation in the United States—is rugby. This full-contact game, often referred to as “rugger,” is played on a grass-covered pitch, similar to soccer.
- The Origin of Rugby: Learn more about the history of rugby from the United Kingdom’s Rugby School, known as “the home of the game.”
- League vs. Union: Learn the differences between rugby league and rugby union, two versions of the sport with significantly different rules and tactics.
- Anatomy of a Rugby Player: What does it take to play the game professionally? See how strong Team Great Britain’s Rugby 7’s captain Tom Mitchell
Cricket
Did you know cricket was the first bat and ball game to be played in the United States? Played as early as 1611, this sport is believed to have originated in England. Fun fact: the longest cricket match ever, between South Africa and England, lasted for nine days!
- The Origin of Cricket: Learn more about the history of cricket and how it made its way to America.
- Cricket 101: What’s a wicket? How many players on each team? Why do we need a bowler? Find out more with this quick guide to cricket.
- Doodle Cricket: Practice your skills with the help of some wide-eyed (virtual) friends.