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Ideas: A. Encourage Upright Defense
What's the biggest misconception in soccer? That a defensive player
will only leave his feet for a dive in or a slide tackle as a "last resort."
The reality is that far too many players will use such 'horizontal' tactics
as the preferred weapon of attacking defense.
Our challenge here is to change the player's focus from what is "MY last
resort" to one of "MY TEAM'S last resort." Consider the large number
of times when forwards or midfielders dive in horizontally at a
time when most of their defenders are still behind them. I estimate
that only about 10% of dive ins and slide tackles are executed at a
moment which truly is the team's last resort.
The fact is that defensive players use the dive in and slide tackle
whenever it affords them the best chance of taking the ball from the
player who is controlling the ball. This is the mindset of attacking defense,
and this mindset must be changed before we'll see higher scoring soccer.
The only way that I can envision changing this mindset is to convince the
defensive player that they should stay on their feet as long as there is a
good chance that there's support behind him or her. How can we
do this and not make a major change to the game of soccer?
Those who have played basketball know that a basketball player
can kick the ball at any time to interrupt the offense, but the
defensive player uses this weapon sparingly because the rules of
basketball do not permit the defense to "win possession" of the ball
by kicking the ball. True, the defense has stopped the play, but the
ball is simply awarded back to the offensive team as a throw-in.
In soccer, we could easily encourage upright defensive with a rule
that does not allow the defense to 'win possession' with any move
where the defensive player's hand or butt touches the ground. Slide tackling
is still allowed, only the defense cannot 'win possession' with a slide tackle.
I'm not talking about a card violation, only that the ball is simply awarded
back to the offense in some way (throw in, etc.). And the continuity of
game isn't greatly affected, because the ref only blows the whistle when
the "hand or butt down" move causes a change in possession. If the slide tackle
deflects the ball to another offensive player, then no whistle is needed as
possession hasn't changed. Instantly the game is improved. With the
defense encouraged to keep their feet and truly use the slide tackle as
a weapon of last resort, the offense would have a lot more room to make
things happen. The end result: more goals, fewer dives, easier to officiate
games, safer games, and the near extinction of the "enforcer" marking
back, whose primary weapon is the "close-up" one or two step slide tackle
which is almost impossible to avoid. Thought must be given as to whether
this rule should apply to goalkeepers, as the most athletic keeper saves
usually result in the keeper's hand touching the ground. Maybe I'm a
little too close to the position (both my kids were keepers), but I
think this rule should not be applied to keepers.
SCORING INCREASE: 2 to 3 goals per game!
Note #1: The biggest impact this change will have is in it's effect on the
defense's ultimate weapon: the double team. Gone will be the tactic of
defender #1 getting in front of his man, allowing defender #2 to approach
from the side at all out speed and then "drop into" the tackle--knocking the
ball free and putting the offensive player off balance--making it easy for
upright defender #1 to recover the ball. Having to stay upright when going into
ANY double team will mean approaching in a slower more controlled fashion
which will no doubt discourage many defender #2's from even initiating the
double team in the first place. Hesitation! It will defang the defense, offering
the offense a freedom of expression not seen since the early '60's.
Note #2: Let me make it clear that we cannot remove slide tackling from
soccer, as the game's players would likely evolve in broad shouldered types
which would look closer to today's rugby players than today's soccer players.
Keeping slide tackling in the game as a true "weapon of last resort" would
mean that the need for a player to be light on his or her feet to step over
the sliding defender would continue to be the first and foremost requirement
of a soccer player. Step over the slide tackle or get seriously injured.
Note #3: If you are a defender and slide tackling is your favorite part of
soccer, let me extend my deepest sympathy, and remind you that you could
slide-tackle any time you please, but you simply can't win possession of the ball
with a slide tackle. Before e-mailing me about how wonderful slide tackling is,
please go to my "slide tackle" page for prepackaged responses on the subject.
Tools of the defender's trade (#14): The hand furthest from the referee. Photo Credit: Damir Sagdj/REUTERS at www.thaifootball.com
B. Upright Defense with Greater Continuity
Much of the feedback I've received regarding 'upright defense' bemoans the
fact that the game's continuity will likely suffer. For those who don't want
the ref to blow his whistle any more than he is currently, we must remove
our focus from penalizing the team via the possession change. Luckily, the
"horizontal tackle" is impossible to overlook (anyone can see it from any angle
except maybe from the Goodyear Blimp), and it is impossible for a player
to NOT be aware that his or her hand or buttocks touched the ground. So why
not penalize the player who executes the horizontal tackle (hands or buttocks
touching the ground while attempting the tackle) by requiring them to immediately
proceed to the FAR end line and touch a cordner flag prior to returning to play.
And since there is no doubt in anyone's mind as to whether the player's hand or
buttocks have made contact with the ground, it could be left up to the offending
player to pick himself or herself up from the ground and head immediately for a
far flag. Failure to do so would be a yellow card violation, unless the player chose
to stay on the ground until the next time that the ref stopped play, at which time
the player could immediately return to the action.
Midfield play would clean up immediately for obvious reasons, but you would
still see plenty of horizontal tackles along the side lines, due to the fact that play
would be stopped if the defender succeeds in kicking the ball out of bounds, and
this stoppage of play would allow the player to immediately return to the action.
Make no mistake, this is my personal favorite proposal. No whistle 95% of the
time, and the horizontal tackle still becomes the weapon of last resort as the team
is inconvenienced and the player is forced to do a "wind sprint." The hidden benefits
are worth mentioning here. First, you will never again see a forward do a slide
tackle ever. Today, most forwards reluctantly sprint 20 yards to put themselves
back on sides, so the 150 to 200 yard "wind sprint" will keep them
upright in all defensive situations. Also, players will likely get a double
earfull from their coaches while running to AND from the corner flag.
Talk about an attitude adjustment! Next, I personally like the fact
that the players are forced to be truthful with themselves or face the
prospect of a yellow card. Over time, I think that this may slightly
counteract the negative effect of the "gamesmanship" which we
parents have been encouraging in our children from the very start.
Image Credit: Thomas L. Friedman of Golf Digest magazine, 04/2004 issue, p.146
C. The Attacking Players in the Following Photos Would Not Be Offsides
While impossible to implement now, once the Age of Aquarius arrives in American Soccer,
and we are free to enjoy the benefits of the occasional play review by the 4th official,
I'd then suggest that an attacking soccer player cannot be off-sides while a defender
has hands on the attacker, such as in the following examples:
Source: Four Four Two Magazine,
D. Restrict the Formations to Limit the Number of Defensive Players
The Dallas Morning News (July 25, 2001, page 3B) reported that the secret to
the 8.8 goal average of the last 5 MLS All-Star games was:
"...teams use a 3-5-2 alignment with a heavy accent on the "5" and the "2"
(midfielders and forwards). And defensive-minded midfielders are seldom chosen."
Frankly, I've got to give this a lot more thought, but I will say that the MLS All-Star
game of 1999 was one of the most enjoyable soccer game I'm ever watched,
and believe me, the 6-4 final score is the reason why. I only wonder if this would
be difficult to officiate? And how do you go about convincing the midfielders that
their time is better spent concentrating more on offense than on defense, even when
their team is up by a goal or two? Correction...make that especially when their team
is up by a goal or two. Luckily, item "D" gives us the answer to this query - NOT!!!!!.
Note #1: Before we get on to the folly which is Idea D, let's talk more about this
alignment issue. There is a major flaw in thinking that a 3 back line will produce more
entertaining soccer than will a 4 back line configuration. If that 4th back is removed in
favor of a 3rd forward, resulting in a 3-4-3 setup, then you can expect more goals and
more entertaining soccer. But sadly, the move from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 will likely result
in a denser and more double team oriented midfield. Now class, what strategy is used
to attack a denser and more double team oriented midfield, particularly when behind
such a midfield is a 3 back line?
Very good class! The answer is to kick over the top of that denser midfield toward
that tempting 3 back line! And not just occasionally, but almost every single time
that a defensive soccer player gets a toe on the ball...at least until a 2 goal lead is
achieved. So, my point here is that - in the real world of today's professional and
college game - requiring a 3 back configuration will not guarantee entertaining soccer,
as non-stop over the top soccer is far from entertaining, even if the final score is 5-3.
E. Limit the Defensive Header (Caution! You Are Approaching A Really Bad Idea!)
What's next in the defenders quiver? The header! This is an easy one. Prohibit
heading of the ball directly back up the field to another player. The defender can
control the ball to his or her own feet, but a pass to a team mate must be to a side
line or back to the goalkeeper. The pass need not be perfectly to the side, so a
15 degree angle forward up field is acceptable, but not 30 degrees, and definitely
not 45 degrees. OK coaches, what is the obvious effect of the fact that the sweeper
must go to the side with every header? That's right...the 3 forward system. With the
sweeper or stopper forced to go to the sidelines with headers, the center forward
would be there placing pressure, so only a goofy coach would fail to have forwards
on both sides to capitalize on the inevitable misplays. The kind of misplays which
create breakaways and a 1 v. 1 with the goalkeeper, thereby creating entertaining
soccer. And what does a 3 forward system mean? Either fewer defensive backs,
or more likely fewer midfielders, but either way it's means fewer defenders, and
more room to create offense. Hey, if you can come up with another way to entice
coaches to use a 3 forward system all the time, I'd love to hear it. It's taken a year
for me to come up with this idea.
SCORING INCREASE: 2-3 goals per game
Note: This is a terrible idea. I'm thinking that it must have been the result of two
medications reacting badly. Thankfully, the soccer I've watched this fall of 2003
has opened my eyes to the evils of non-stop "over the top soccer", as it's far less
entertaining than a low scoring ground based game could ever be.
F. Goooaaalll---If the Ball Hits the Goal Post and Stays in bounds
This one is simple. If the ball hits the goal post--and stays in bounds--a goal is awarded.
SCORING INCREASE: 1 goal per game
G. Reduce Direct Clearing of the Ball Out of Bounds
How much skill is required for a defender to directly kick a soccer ball out of bounds
to stop an offensive challenge? Answer: ZERO. While I freely recognize that most
defensive moves require skill and occasionally even enhance the game of soccer,
direct clearing to the out of bounds by the defense is one practice which can be reduced
greatly with absolutely no fear of diminishing the greatness of the game of soccer.
Solution: Easy, for obvious clearing out of bounds, award the ball to the offensive
team at a point that is half the distance to the goal line from where the kick was made
from, not from where the ball went out of bounds. However, if the defensive player
has made an effort to kick the ball off of an offensive player, then the throw-in
should be given at the point where the ball went out of bounds. Also, if an offensive
player has a clear chance to keep the ball in bounds, but fails to even try to do so, the
throw-in should be awarded at the point where the ball went out of bounds. And yes,
the power of the center ref is maintained by the fact that much of this is open to the
ref's discretion, just as it is with hand balls, off sides, obstruction, and just about every
other ruling in soccer.
SCORING INCREASE: 1 goal per game
Indirect implications: This rule would pretty much keep the goalkeepers in the
18 yard box. Keeper's rarely come out of the box if it isn't to clear the ball hard and
long, and the keeper is never looking to kick the ball off of an offensive player.
H. Clear Out the 6-Yard Box During Corner Kicks
During corner kicks, only the goalkeeper is allowed in the 6-yard goal box
until the ball touches a player other than the player who takes the corner
kick. Idea is to get the other defenders out of the corners of the goal.
SCORING INCREASE: 1 to 2 goals per game
I. Clear Out the 6-Yard Box All The Time
Make the 6-yard box truly the "Keeper's Box." If an offensive player is in the box
at the time a goal is scored, the goal is disallowed and the keeper gets a goal kick.
If a defensive player other than the goalkeeper touches the ball in the box it's a PK
situation.
SCORING INCREASE: 1 to 2 goals per game
Indirect implications: Safer environment for the goalkeeper.
I. Reduce the Keeper's Effectiveness
For those purists who refuse to consider any concept which makes the
American game so different that it might put American players at a
disadvantage in International competitions, we are pretty much limited
to focusing on reducing the effectiveness of the goalkeeper. This can
be done by requiring the keeper to wear indoor soccer shoes during
outdoor matches. This would in effect prohibit the keeper from wearing
spikes (yes, even in wet and sloppy conditions) which would destroy the
keeper's confidence in his or her ability to jump to the side, accelerate off
of the line, back pedaling to get back to the line, and just about every other
aspect of their job where mobility is involved. Take away the keeper's traction
and you'll remove his or her confidence. And there's nothing easier to score
on than a keeper who's confidence is down. During the transition, look for
injuries to be a daily happening, as groin pulls would surely result as the
keepers relearn the limits of their traction. Once the keepers learn to
keep their feet more under their body as they run, the frequency of injury
will fall back to the present "high" level.
K. Put the Keeper in the "Sand Box"
A much more expensive alternative to the spikeless keeper involves
turning the 6 yard box (or the entire penalty area) into the "sand box."
Dig up the sod down to about six inches and replace it with coarse sand.
While the sand will obviously slow down the goalkeeper's ability to move
and will destroy his ability to quickly change directions, the irregular
surface of the sand will make the ball jump unpredictably on low shots.
This will compensate for the fact that the sand will slow down balls rolling
along the surface of the sand. Over time the keepers will prefer the sand
because it will extend their careers by reducing the body's wear and tear.
The wildcard of the "Sand Box" idea is the 'Lip', the interface between
the turf and the sand. Field players will be able to slide from turf to sand
while keepers will not be able to slide from sand to turf for fear of catching
a heal on the "Lip", which might result in a twisted ankle or worse. And
running out over the 'Lip' wouldn't be any less scary for a keeper, so the
keeper would likely stay closer to the line.
J. Keep the Keeper in the 18-yard Box
Restrict the keeper to the 18-yard penalty box when in defensive mode,
but not when the keeper has control of the ball. The keepers will
resist it at first, but will welcome the restriction when the number of
shots on goal (brought on by the above changes) increases by 30 to 40%.
Indirect Implications: This move will have an unintended effect of lowering
the overall scores of many blowouts, since many of the later goals are made
possible by the keeper pushing up to play "keeper/sweeper" while the rest
of the team pushes forward in an effort to create offense. If the keeper was
forced to return to the 18 yard box prior to being able to touch the ball
defensively, he wouldn't leave the nest unguarded in the first place.
M. Track Who Scores "First Goals" and "First Assists"
If we stick to the "World" rules, let's at least add a statistic called
"FIRST GOALS". Why not, when in Pro soccer, if you score first
there's roughly a 50% chance that the opposing team will never
even score a goal, and since the team which scores first in soccer has
about an 85% chance of winning or at least getting a draw in regulation,
why not recognize the "early starters" in the game. The league is
already tracking "winning goal" stats. I feel that the "first goal" is an
even more important measure of a player's contribution under today's
low scoring reality. Check my page entitled "Numbers don't lie, but..."
for further justification. Also, once this "first goal" statistic is added, the
natural next step is to add the "average minutes to first goal" statistic,
which would further define who's really an early starter. Check this out:
Striker First Goals Average Minutes to First Goal
Jason Mathis 8 27
Conor McBride 8 58
So long as the first goal is "THE goal", these two statistics must be added.
And why not, when the MLS's 'League' Statistics page contains the following:
RECORD IN ONE-GOAL GAMES
TEAM
W L T PCT
--------------------------------------------
Colorado Rapids 11 5
0 0.688
Chicago Fire
9 5 0 0.643
Los Angeles Galaxy 9 6 0
0.600
Kansas City Wizards 6 4 0 0.600
N.E. Revolution 10 8
0 0.556
MetroStars
7 6 0 0.538
Tampa Bay Mutiny 8 9 0
0.471
Dallas Burn
8 9 0 0.471
Miami Fusion
4 5 0 0.444
Columbus Crew 6
8 0 0.429
D.C. United
5 11 0 0.313
San Jose Earthquakes 2 9 0 0.182
Look over these numbers and you'll rethink how important the first goal is.
N. Eliminate the Humiliation of Assistant Referees
Visit my "Linesman1" page for explanation as to why you won't see me
running the sidelines anytime soon.
O. Should we play with the Red Card Rule?
Check out my page "Red_Card_1" for my thoughts on author Paul Gardner's
ideas to adjust the red card to provide for more entertaining soccer matches.
Best to hit the back arrow button,