Soccer and Basketball: Comparing the Global Sports

What’s a better sport to play and watch…soccer or basketball? I’ve played both growing up so I have a soft spot for each.

But, laying out the differences might able to help you decide on one or the other.

One of the biggest differences is the way the games are played. Soccer is played on a large field with two teams of eleven players, while basketball is played on a smaller court with two teams of five players.

Despite these differences, both sports require a high level of skill, athleticism, and teamwork to be successful.

Both sports require athletes to be in their peak shape to perform at the highest level. You can get away with not being in shape for sports like golf, baseball, and even American football.

In this article, I’ll go through the differences of each sport and understand the crossover as well. Let’s dive in!

Comparing Soccer & Basketball

When it comes to the differences between soccer and basketball, there are several factors to consider. Let’s explore them…

Popularity (Globally and in the U.S.)

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with an estimated 4 billion fans worldwide. It is played in almost every country and is the national sport of many of them.

Basketball, on the other hand, is more popular in the United States, where it originated. It has gained more popularity in other countries, but it still doesn’t come close to soccer in terms of global popularity.

So, soccer is still way behind basketball in terms of popularity in the U.S. But, at a global-level, soccer is more popular.

Physical Demands

Both soccer and basketball require a high level of physical fitness, but they differ in terms of the type of physical demand.

Soccer is a game of endurance, where players run for long periods without stopping much. It requires a lot of running, jogging, and sprinting.

Basketball, on the other hand, is a game of explosive movements, where players need to jump, sprint, and change direction quickly. It requires a lot of agility, coordination, and explosiveness.

Each sport sport requires players to use different muscles. Soccer players benefit from longer, flexible muscles while basketball players benefit from fast twitch muscles.

Skills Required

Soccer is typically played from the waist down and basketball from the shoulders up. As such, each requires a different set of skills to be effective.

Soccer requires good ball control, passing, shooting, and dribbling skills. This is mostly done from the legs and feet.

Soccer also requires good vision and decision-making skills, as players need to be able to read the game and make quick decisions.

Basketball requires good shooting, passing, and dribbling skills, as well as good court vision and decision-making skills. It also requires quick and timely jumping, good defensive and rebounding skills.

Which Sport is Harder?

When it comes to sports, there is often a debate about which is harder. You probably don’t want to hear this but it depends.

For example, I think for 5-year-olds, soccer is easier than basketball. As you get older, it would depend on several factors including your skill set, your interests, and the level of competition you are playing in.

Compared to starting AAU basketball, travel soccer is easier for a player who has been playing for six years.

Let’s face it, every sport is challenging in its own way. It’s all up for debate but I would say players typically find a sport easier the more they play and if it fits within their passion and skill set.

Does Playing Basketball Help Soccer Players?

From personal experience, my son played basketball and soccer for the last 8 years and each sport helped the other. There are many things basketball teaches soccer players.

While the two sports are different in many ways, there are some similarities that can make basketball a helpful complement to soccer.

I always encourage kids to start off as multi-sport athletes. The different body movements and intangible skills only help athletes become better.

Here are the crossover benefits of playing basketball…

Footwork and Agility

Basketball requires a lot of quick movements, including jumping, pivoting, and changing direction. These movements require good footwork and agility, which are also important skills for soccer players.

By playing basketball, you can improve your footwork and agility, which can help you move more quickly and easily on the soccer field.

Coordination and Balance

Basketball requires good coordination and balance, which are important skills for soccer players.

By dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball in basketball, you can improve your coordination and balance, which can help you control the soccer ball more effectively.

Fitness and Endurance

Basketball is a high-energy sport that requires a lot of running, jumping, and other physical activity.

By playing basketball in the winter, you can improve your fitness and endurance for the spring. This will help soccer players who need to be able to run up and down the field for 90 minutes or more.

Vision & Decision Making

My son was a point guard and had to make quick decisions in tight spaces.

I believe this helped him see where players are moving on the soccer field better. He’s able to play balls into space and make smarter decisions.

Who Are Better Athletes?

Neither one should be considered a better athlete. Both sports really do require players to be in their best shape if they want to succeed.

Soccer requires players to run many miles during a soccer game. They need to keep up their stamina while being able to win 50/50 balls, make runs, tackle, and try to score.

Basketball is primarily explosive movements. A play could go on ten trips up and down the court before any break. This requires players to not only have endurance but also the muscles to help support sprinting, jumping, and turning.

What Has More College Scholarship Opportunities?

Both sports offer full and partial scholarship opportunities for college athletes. However, the number of scholarships available may vary depending on the level of competition and the gender of the athletes.

In Division I men’s sports, football gives the most scholarships, followed by ice hockey, basketball, track & field, lacrosse, and baseball. Soccer typically provides the least amount with an average of 9.9 for men.

For women, the most scholarships are offered in rowing, then track & field, ice hockey, and basketball. The average D1 soccer scholarship for women is more than the men at 14.

Want to learn more? I’ve written extensively about college soccer scholarships here.

Final Thoughts

Soccer and basketball are my two favorite sports.

I think every young athlete should try both at some point. They are great to stick with for many years as they don’t conflict as much as other sports do.

I also think each sport benefits the other as far as skill set. Playing basketball can make you quicker on the soccer field. And, playing soccer can build your stamina and foot skills on the hardwood.

I’m a big advocate for multiple sports so if your child has the opportunity, play both and watch them flourish quicker!