Sports are not always bursts of sunshine. Fun as they are, dangers are around the corner. Soccer and basketball are two of the most dangerous team sports in the world, considering that they involve severely physical moves like dunking, blocking, etc. If you are new to sports, you may want to know how dangerous soccer is compared to basketball.

Although they vary in difficulty level and game technicalities, their injury vulnerability to injury is almost the same. If you want to know more about this topic, read until the end and decide which sport you should start playing now.

How Do Game Rules in Soccer Compared with Basketball?

The apparent similarity between soccer and basketball is that both sports are widely loved by people worldwide, aside from the fact that playing any of these entails injury. You will see athletes immersed in these physical activities. However, their common grounds end there.

Even though they are both physically demanding and injury vulnerable, they differ in technicalities and game rules at many levels. If you want to go deeper and learn more about this topic, the bulleted list below will discuss the technical difference between a basketball game and a soccer game.

• Soccer vs. Basketball Fundamentals

The significant differences between these two sports are centered on the basics like court dimensions, game duration, ball sizes, and court types, among others. Soccer games use 27 to 28-inch balls and are played on synthetic or genuine grass fields that measure 131 X 87 yards, which last for an average of 90 minutes. Meanwhile, basketball games use 29.5 inches balls and are played on 28 X 15 meters wooden floorings, which last for an average of 48 minutes.

• Soccer vs. Basketball Rules on Goals

Scores in basketball vary depending on your distance from the ring, one being the lowest and three being the highest. During the 90 minutes match, soccer players must aim at the goal using their feet; each goal equals 1 point. The only exception is for goalkeepers and during throw-ins. On the other hand, 48-minute basketball games prohibit the use of feet in making scores without any exception.

• Soccer vs. Basketball Rules on Offsides and Fast Breaks

Playing defense in soccer and basketball involve contradicting rules. Fast breaks in basketball are strategically used to push the ball upcourt and get past several defenses. However, getting past more defensive players beyond the midfield in soccer is a violation called offsides. There needs to have two defensive players between an attacking player. 

• Soccer vs. Basketball Positions

Basketball courts are smaller in size compared to soccer fields. Hence, fewer players are needed to have an official game in basketball compared to soccer. A basketball game consists of five players on each team with specific roles and positions: center, shooting guard, point guard, small forward, and power forward. 

Meanwhile, a soccer match requires 11 players in each team with prominent positions: strikers, defenders, midfielders, and goalkeepers. However, any of these players have multi responsibilities—a midfielder can play as a winger, an offensive, or a defensive player.

• Soccer vs. Basketball Rules on Fouls

Getting six fouls in a game will result in disqualification in basketball. Also, defensive fouls will benefit the disadvantaged from a free throw. Meanwhile, two yellow cards due to serious fouls will make you be sent off. Free kicks will occur if the foul is committed outside the penalty box. A penalty kick is rewarded if a defensive foul happens outside a penalty box. If it is an offensive foul, defenders will be given a chance to do a goal kick.

What is the Risk of Injury in Playing Basketball vs. Soccer

One of the most famous physical activities around the world is sports. Two of the leading sports are basketball and soccer, which is no surprise that people of all ages love to play these sports. However, these sports are highly physical, sometimes leading to severe injuries.

Before playing a sport, newbies and parents are concerned about the risk of injury. Have you asked yourself this question: what sport has the most injuries? How dangerous is soccer compared to other sports?

According to an article published by St. Luke’s Health in 2021, the risk of getting injured in soccer is higher than in basketball because it involves high physical contact among players. Soccer games are famous for rigid moves and impactful kicks, especially when a defensive player guards the ball, while basketball is known for blocks, steals, and risky dunks.

The study shows more than 412,000 injuries among male and female players are recorded yearly while playing soccer, which is 240,000+ higher than basketball. Most of these injuries are related to the head due to fast-moving balls and highly impactful hits.

On the other hand, basketball records approximately 170,000 injuries a year. Both sports are incredibly vulnerable to injuries, but soccer players are more exposed to the risks that come along with them.

What are the Injury Rates in Soccer vs. Basketball

The injury rates in soccer are higher than in basketball because it is more physically demanding and involves high physical contact. How dangerous is basketball? Why does soccer have a higher risk of onset injuries compared to basketball? You will find the answer in the following paragraphs.

Common Injuries in Playing Soccer 

In particular, soccer players risk having head-related injuries because of rapid-moving flying balls heading to their heads. According to a journal published in the National Library of Medicine, 22 percent of injuries in soccer are Traumatic Brain Injuries or head concussions—traumatic hits on your head. You will feel persistent pain in your head, extreme vomiting, blurred vision, and even dizziness. 

Additionally, soccer players usually encounter injuries related to the shin or knee because of ball dribbling and during defensive attacks. The primary reason is that soccer players use their feet to defend and make a goal, hence the impactful hit in an attempt to win a match.

Common Injuries in Playing Basketball

On the other hand, the most common basketball injuries are sprains and jammed fingers. When your fingertip is constricted to your hand, you will likely experience these injuries. The symptoms include swelling, bruising, and a limited range of motion. Sometimes, players break their fingers when the impact is severe.

Another injury that basketball players usually encounter is a foot sprain, especially when you accidentally tear a ligament around your feet. It is understandable for basketball players to sprain this body area because most moves rapidly need body and foot coordination.

Top 3 Reasons Why Soccer is More Dangerous Than Basketball 

Even though soccer games are more dangerous than basketball, it does not mean one is superior to the other. You must remember that both sports have different rules, fundamentals, and nature, making them dangerous and vulnerable to injuries.

Here are the top three reasons why soccer is more dangerous than basketball:

• More Physically Demanding

Soccer fields are much bigger than basketball courts, which means you need more energy and effort to move around its premises. In other words, soccer players encounter more injuries during a match since players need more force to execute routines and moves—it is dangerous for players who are not conditioned well.

• Risky Moves

The moves in soccer games are known to be riskier than in basketball. Soccer players need to defend their team and make a point by hitting the ball forcefully, which can potentially impact anyone’s head. The worst thing is that getting hit in the head is more dangerous because it might lead to death.

• More Technicalities

Soccer games are more technical, which makes them harder to play. Also, the game duration is much longer. You need to be in the right mental and physical state to prevent yourself from exhaustion during a match.

Wrapping Things Up: How Dangerous is Soccer Compared to Basketball?

It is natural for players and parents alike to know the difficulty and danger of playing a particular sport. Not only are basketball and soccer two of the most famous team sports, but they are also the most dangerous. Now, how dangerous is soccer compared to basketball?

Remembering that both are dangerous since they involve rigid and risky moves would be best. However, soccer records more injuries a year and is more physically demanding. If you play any of these sports, you need to be physically and mentally well to prevent yourself from repercussions.

We hope you enjoyed this post! If you did, be sure to check out our other basketball FAQ articles here.