“perplexity is the beginning of knowledge…” Kahlil Gibran A Tear and A Smile (1950) STYLIN’! SAMBA JOY VERSUS STRUCTURAL PRECISION THE SOCCER CASE STUDIES OF BRAZIL AND GERMANY Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for The Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Susan P. Milby, M.A. * * * * * The Ohio State University 2006 Dissertation Committee: Approved by Professor Melvin Adelman, Adviser Professor William J. Morgan Professor Sarah Fields _______________________________ Adviser College of Education Graduate Program Copyright by Susan P. Milby 2006 ABSTRACT Soccer playing style has not been addressed in detail in the academic literature, as playing style has often been dismissed as the aesthetic element of the game. Brief mention of playing style is considered when discussing national identity and gender. Through a literature research methodology and detailed study of game situations, this dissertation addresses a definitive definition of playing style and details the cultural elements that influence it. A case study analysis of German and Brazilian soccer exemplifies how cultural elements shape, influence, and intersect with playing style. Eight signature elements of playing style are determined: tactics, technique, body image, concept of soccer, values, tradition, ecological and a miscellaneous category. Each of these elements is then extrapolated for Germany and Brazil, setting up a comparative binary. Literature analysis further reinforces this contrasting comparison. Both history of the country and the sport history of the country are necessary determinants when considering style, as style must be historically situated when being discussed in order to avoid stereotypification. Historic time lines of significant German and Brazilian style changes are determined and interpretated. This allows for the introduction of cultural elements and their historical situating. ii Culture elements that shape soccer style include the history of the country, the history of soccer within the country, national habitus and national identity, and the impact of colonialism. Other cultural elements that influence soccer style and are thus examined include the interpretation of class and politics, race, gender, globalization trends, and religion. An examination of significant individual that have impacted on the sport is included, as well as analysis of training philosophies and unique features. Each of these cultural elements are determined to influence and shape soccer playing style on a national basis. iii Dedicated to my parents and my sons: John and Esther Pavelka Andrew Milby Robert Milby iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my adviser, Dr. Melvin Adelman, for his infinite patience with both myself and my subject matter. His encouragement and dedication, as well as his loving guidance, were much appreciated. His arguments were intellectually stimulating, and his corrections were illuminating. His guidance throughout my many years of this educational journey was a shining path for me to follow. Without him, my journey would never have started. I thank Dr. Jay Martin of Ohio Wesleyan University for the use of much material (books and films) as well as his insights. His observations and time were very much appreciated. I wish to thank my son, Andrew Milby, for his technological assistance. And lastly, I wish to thank my parents, John and Esther Pavelka, for their unwavering support and confidence. v VITA May 1, 1956 ………………………………………………Born – Columbus, Ohio August 1977 ………………………………………………B.S. Therapeutic Recreation Georgetown College December 1995 ………………………………………….. Teaching Certificate: Physical Education The Ohio State University June 2001 ………………………………………………….M.A. Cultural Studies in Education The Ohio State University 1996 to present …………………………………………… physical education and health teacher Dublin City Schools Dublin, Ohio FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Education Emphasis: Sport History vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………... ii Dedication …………………………………………………………………………….. iii Acknowledgments …………………………………………………………………….. iv Vita …………………………………………………………………………………….. v Chapters 1. Introduction …………………………………………………………………. 1 2. Defining Style and its Components ………………………………………... 21 3. Defining Brazilian and German Style: Case Study Analysis ……………… 62 4. A Short History of Brazil and How it Pertains to Soccer ………………… 120 5. A Short History of Germany and How it Pertains to Soccer ……………… 139 6. The Sport History of Brazil ……………………………………………….. 170 7. The Sport History of Germany ……………………………………………. 234 8. Historic Time Line of Style: Brazil and Germany ………………………... 289 9. National Habitus, National Identity and Soccer …………………………... 308 10. Brazil: National Habitus Codes, National Identity and Soccer …………… 325 11. German National Habitus Codes, National Identity and Soccer …………... 350 12. Colonialism and Soccer Style ……………………………………………… 381 13. Class, Politics and Sport …………………………………………………… 400 14. Germany: Class, Politics and Soccer ……………………………………… 409 15. Brazil: Class, Politics and Soccer …………………………………………. 429 vii 16. Race, Sport and Soccer ……………………………………………………. 457 17. Germany, Race and Soccer ………………………………………………... 465 18. Brazil, Race and Soccer …………………………………………………… 480 19. The Construction of Gender as it Involves Sport and Soccer …………….. 515 20. Germany and Brazil: The Construction of Gender and how it Influences Soccer and Playing Style …………………………………………………. 527 21. Significant Players: Germany ……………………………………………... 540 22. Significant Players: Brazil ………………………………………………… 561 23. Globalization and Sport …………………………………………………… 584 24. Globalization and Soccer ………………………………………………….. 607 25. The Impact of Globalization on Brazilian and German Soccer …………... 618 26. The Intersection of Sport, Soccer and Religion: Brazil and Germany…….. 637 27. Training Philosophy and Regimens of Germany …………………………. 666 28. Training Philosophy and Regimens of Brazil …………………………….. 693 29. Germany and Unique Cultural Influences on Soccer Style ……………….. 722 30. Unique Cultural Influences on the Brazilian Soccer Game ……………….. 740 31. Conclusions and Further Questions ……………………………………….. 768 Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………... 786 viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Soccer playing style captures the imagination of every soccer fan in the world, but defining and analyzing style has been problematic due not only to the depth of the question but also because of the necessity of situating the problematic historically and culturally. This study examines soccer style, and specifically, the intersection of national team playing style with culture and with history. It will look at what elements in the culture shape or influence individual national style, and I will describe in detail my theory that soccer style is shaped by some very specific cultural elements, such as national identity, conceptions of gender, race, and other cultural interpretations, as well as the history and sport history of the country. In the process, it will be necessary to detail a definition of style, and define how “style” is played out in reference to my two case studies, Germany and Brazil. I came to this study from two converging areas, my own background with soccer and my academic background… “What is wrong with you? I knew we shouldn’t let a girl on this team. Why don’t you just go back to being the athletic trainer? GET YOUR WEIGHT ON YOUR TOES WHEN YOU’RE DEFENDING SOMEONE!!!” My introduction to the wonderful world of male competitive soccer at the collegiate level was less than inspiring. Yes, I 1 had legitimately made the team, but in the process had bumped a male contender out of a varsity spot. Not a great situation in which to start my new athletic career, nonetheless, one that exhilarated me. Right up until the moment that the Iranian center forward slide tackled me into an ignominious heap to emphasize that not only should women not be playing soccer with men, but appearing on the field in soccer shorts was a direct affront to his sensibilities. However, through the first month of endless running, conditioning drills, scrapes, bruises (all from my own teammates) and sore muscles, I gloried in the game. I loved this game with its intricacies, strategies, balletic and elegant flow of play combined with hard-nosed tackles, dirt, and lots of blood, mainly mine. I was never a superstar, but got into a few games as a substitute and played hard. I fell in love with the game, and that endearing feeling has never wavered. Ten years later I stood on the touchline watching my five year old son play what was supposed to be the same game. Not a chance! Between the coach yelling “Just kick the ball!” and the other parents cheering wildly at what looked like a rugby scrum in the middle of the field, I stood in open-mouthed amazement. The next season I began coaching as an assistant, wanting to bring my love of the game as well as a little bit of skill to these children. Love of the game is never a problem with little boys…. Skill however, often is. Thus began a coaching career that spanned several decades. I took coaching courses, attended lectures, watched every game available on television, read books and worked my way up the ranks, along with my two boys. We did recreational soccer, travel team soccer, and Olympic Development soccer. As the boys entered high 2 school, I decided it probably wasn’t in their best interest to have “Mom” coach them anymore, and so pursued my own coaching career. I worked my way up