Soccer relies primarily on the feet to advance the ball and precludes the use of the hands by any player but the goalie. American football relies primarily on the hands to move the ball, with only designated players allowed to kick the ball. Despite these contrasts, there are several similarities between the games, most notably in the physical conditioning requirements needed to play the game.
Energy System
Soccer and football require you to engage your body's anaerobic energy systems. While soccer play lasts mostly uninterrupted for the duration of the game, frequent, short, high-intensity bursts of speed occur throughout play, making the game more anaerobic than aerobic. In football, a game progresses via plays, most lasting less than 10 seconds. More frequent breaks, due to time outs, injuries, period changes and a longer halftime break make the game more anaerobic than soccer.
Movement
Soccer and football require you to avoid opponents while working toward or defending your goal. Soccer and football players use quick bursts of speed in all directions, including forward, backward and laterally using a variety of angles. Players leap vertically to head or catch balls. Players run full speed for dozens of yards on long plays, and in short spurts with several changes in direction on shorter players.
Scoring
Players in soccer and football games rely on teamwork to move the ball toward their goal to score. In soccer, the ball must go into the goal with a kick or head. In football, the ball must enter the end zone in the possession of an offensive player, or be kicked through the goal posts. Both have offensive and defensive players, and use backfields for strategic matchplay. Players pass balls to each other, try to keep the ball from opponents, and interfere with, or screen, opposing players to help teammates.
Kicking
During soccer and football games, players get free kicks with which they attempt to score. In soccer, players may attempt penalty kicks toward the goal, with the goalie attempting to block the kick. In football, players try to score field goals or extra points after touchdowns, with opponents attempting to block the kick. Players in both sports use a kicking method that has the player running from one side of the ball, on an angle, to make their free kick. While some football players kick the ball straight on, most use the approach from the side, which is know as a soccer-style kick. Soccer goalies drop the ball out of their hands, kicking the ball out of the air to advance the ball after shots on goals they stop, while football punters do the same to turn the ball over to opponents after unsuccessful drives.
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