Quaco wrote:Whereas it seems soccer/football is more of a swarm of equal guys (except for the goalie), all moving in and out, doing what they can.
Soccer/football can have some of the most rigid and disciplined tactical planning of any sport. You hear of some teams having a plan whereby each player knows exactly what he should be doing at any given second depending on where the ball is, where the other players are and what the match situation is.
Sometimes you'll get players like in the NFL, with one specific role: a player who's just good at capitalising on other players' good work, ie by receiving passes and scoring goals. Or in some cases, you'll have a guy who's just there to kick opposition players.
It can also allow its players total individual freedom and creativity. Players with the licence to roam the pitch and try whatever they think might be productive. The Dutch teams of the 1970s were famed for their "total football" which is perhaps what you describe, the whole team moving in and out and participating in every phase of play.
All part of its appeal. I don't know any sport that has the complexity, variety and depth of association football.