4 Ways to Improve Football
I've been known to defend the game against fellow sports fans, particularly in the United States where it has not caught on in the mainstream the way the NFL and Major League Baseball dominate. I've defended it almost to a fault, ridiculing any changes that which would "ruin the game." However, this past World Cup and this current season, it has become obvious that there are some changes needed to soccer, and perhaps the MLS, as a new soccer nation, could experiment with these rules to determine their practicality. No, these rules are not as drastic as the suggested "Make the goals bigger" or "reduce the number of players on the field to 10 to open up more lanes." These are minor changes that should have a more dramatic effect. So without further adieu, here are this soccer fan's 4 ways to improve soccer for the better, WITHOUT changing the game.
PROBELM AREA #1: FEIGNING INJURY
Many teams, especially on the international level (COUGH! THE ITALIANS! COUGH! THE DAMN PORTUGUESE!!!) seem to think that the best way to wear down an opponent is through an extended series of set-pieces, brought on by an extended series of free kicks brought about by fouls. Players will roll around on the ground, screaming in pain, the match is stopped, and a few seconds later, the player who couldn't even stand up is flanking around for a winning header.
Suggestion: Allow the match to continue while a player recieves medical attention. This is a common practice in rugby, a sport that descended from soccer and likewise has a running clock. One team simply continues play with the number of players being 11 vs. 10. Is this unfair? Perhaps, but because of this numerical disadvantage, 1.) There will be no incentive to fake an injury, as it will leave your team vulnerable to counterattack, 2.) Players who actually are hurt will be taken off the pitch quickly so as to avoid risking further disadvantage to the team, and further injury to the player.
The game already continues with this disadvantage when the player receives medical treatment off the sidelines, but only after a stoppage in play, disrupting whatever flow or momentum was present in the game. If the player is in the middle of the field instead of near the sidelines, perhaps have the trainer bring a flourescent orange flag or something to plant in the ground by the injured player, so as to avoid being involved in the play while the injured footballer is attended to.
If a player moved out of bounds if his injury was close to a touch line, he could re-enter at any point in the match, but could not be the first player to touch the ball following his return.
An added benefit here is that it would reduce or even eliminate the need for added time at the end of each half for injuries.
PROBLEM AREA #2: GOAL REVIEW
Sometimes goals are controversial, and in a sport where scoring means so much, officials should get it right. Liverpool's goal in their 1-0 Champions League victory against Chelsea in 2005 was...with all respect to Liverpool fans, questionable. Likewise, Michael Ballack's obvious handball on the USA's goal in the 2002 World Cup ended the Americans' run.
Solution: Instant Replay for goals
Ice hockey, Basketball and American football have employed instant replay to confirm the accuracy of their officials in scoring. Each coach would be given one challenge per match (we could even use the same red flag, or the coach could indicate his wish to the fourth official, or both).
If a call is overturned, then that coach will recieve another challenge for that match, but no more than 2 in a match. If the coach is wrong, then he will lose a substitution (coaches are only allowed three). If all three substitutions have been used, then a coach must take a player off the field.
Coaches may challenge only on the "reviewable" grounds that a goal was scored but was not ruled one, a goal was ruled to have occured but did not cross the line, offsides, or an illegal touch (Handball, first player to touch the ball having come from out of bounds). As in football, the call on the field will be upheld unless there is indisputable visual evidence that it should be overturned.
PROBLEM AREA #3: DIVING
One of the biggest complaints that is heard from fans and detractors alike is that there is too much diving in soccer. This was painfully on display at the last World Cup, especially with the Italians. Their Round of 16 tie with Australia where the Socceroos had them on the rack in the closing minutes, heading for extra time, only to have an Italian felled by an invisible hit, and deliver the winning penalty kick as time expired. As long as there is incentive to cheat, players will try to gain advantage. They are competitors.
Solution: Extra officials
In a sport with a field as wide as soccer's, and the direction of play changing constantly and often over long distances, it is impossible for the officials to keep pace with the game in a way that would enable them to be on top of every play. As a result, players often oversell or dramaticize contact in hope of drawing a foul and that the official will be too far away from the action to make a difference. Basketball uses three officials and only has 10 players on a small court. Soccer has 22 players on a large field and only has one official whose job it is to call fouls (the linesmen are responsible for out-of-bounds plays)
Ideally, I would call for at least one additional referee on the field to patrol one half, while the other official patrolled the other half of the pitch. I would even go so far as to add two extra officials who would remain stationed behind the goal line to ensure that diving in the penalty area did not affect the outcome of the game.
PROBLEM AREA #4: BUNKER MENTALITY
PROBELM AREA #1: FEIGNING INJURY
Many teams, especially on the international level (COUGH! THE ITALIANS! COUGH! THE DAMN PORTUGUESE!!!) seem to think that the best way to wear down an opponent is through an extended series of set-pieces, brought on by an extended series of free kicks brought about by fouls. Players will roll around on the ground, screaming in pain, the match is stopped, and a few seconds later, the player who couldn't even stand up is flanking around for a winning header.
Suggestion: Allow the match to continue while a player recieves medical attention. This is a common practice in rugby, a sport that descended from soccer and likewise has a running clock. One team simply continues play with the number of players being 11 vs. 10. Is this unfair? Perhaps, but because of this numerical disadvantage, 1.) There will be no incentive to fake an injury, as it will leave your team vulnerable to counterattack, 2.) Players who actually are hurt will be taken off the pitch quickly so as to avoid risking further disadvantage to the team, and further injury to the player.
The game already continues with this disadvantage when the player receives medical treatment off the sidelines, but only after a stoppage in play, disrupting whatever flow or momentum was present in the game. If the player is in the middle of the field instead of near the sidelines, perhaps have the trainer bring a flourescent orange flag or something to plant in the ground by the injured player, so as to avoid being involved in the play while the injured footballer is attended to.
If a player moved out of bounds if his injury was close to a touch line, he could re-enter at any point in the match, but could not be the first player to touch the ball following his return.
An added benefit here is that it would reduce or even eliminate the need for added time at the end of each half for injuries.
PROBLEM AREA #2: GOAL REVIEW
Sometimes goals are controversial, and in a sport where scoring means so much, officials should get it right. Liverpool's goal in their 1-0 Champions League victory against Chelsea in 2005 was...with all respect to Liverpool fans, questionable. Likewise, Michael Ballack's obvious handball on the USA's goal in the 2002 World Cup ended the Americans' run.
Solution: Instant Replay for goals
Ice hockey, Basketball and American football have employed instant replay to confirm the accuracy of their officials in scoring. Each coach would be given one challenge per match (we could even use the same red flag, or the coach could indicate his wish to the fourth official, or both).
If a call is overturned, then that coach will recieve another challenge for that match, but no more than 2 in a match. If the coach is wrong, then he will lose a substitution (coaches are only allowed three). If all three substitutions have been used, then a coach must take a player off the field.
Coaches may challenge only on the "reviewable" grounds that a goal was scored but was not ruled one, a goal was ruled to have occured but did not cross the line, offsides, or an illegal touch (Handball, first player to touch the ball having come from out of bounds). As in football, the call on the field will be upheld unless there is indisputable visual evidence that it should be overturned.
PROBLEM AREA #3: DIVING
One of the biggest complaints that is heard from fans and detractors alike is that there is too much diving in soccer. This was painfully on display at the last World Cup, especially with the Italians. Their Round of 16 tie with Australia where the Socceroos had them on the rack in the closing minutes, heading for extra time, only to have an Italian felled by an invisible hit, and deliver the winning penalty kick as time expired. As long as there is incentive to cheat, players will try to gain advantage. They are competitors.
Solution: Extra officials
In a sport with a field as wide as soccer's, and the direction of play changing constantly and often over long distances, it is impossible for the officials to keep pace with the game in a way that would enable them to be on top of every play. As a result, players often oversell or dramaticize contact in hope of drawing a foul and that the official will be too far away from the action to make a difference. Basketball uses three officials and only has 10 players on a small court. Soccer has 22 players on a large field and only has one official whose job it is to call fouls (the linesmen are responsible for out-of-bounds plays)
Ideally, I would call for at least one additional referee on the field to patrol one half, while the other official patrolled the other half of the pitch. I would even go so far as to add two extra officials who would remain stationed behind the goal line to ensure that diving in the penalty area did not affect the outcome of the game.
PROBLEM AREA #4: BUNKER MENTALITY
They say that a two-goal lead is the most dangerous lead in soccer. A single goal by the trailing team gives them the momentum needed to score the tying goal. As a result, many teams enter a bunker mentality as soon as they score the goal to put them up by two. They look to protect their net at all costs, often resulting in ugly play. Many Premiership matches end by 2-0 scorelines as teams refuse to push forward and risk giving up momentum or their secured three points.
Solution: Offer bonus points for a win of 3 goals or more in league play
Rugby currently offers bonus points in league play for a team that scores more than 5 tries, and for a team that loses by less than two scores. This keeps games interesting and exciting even when the outcome has been decided. I would propose offering 1 bonus point for a win by 3 goals or more, so a 2-1 win would earn a team 3 points in the standings, but a 4-1 win would earn four. FIFA has already altered the point format in league play, from 2 points for a win to 3 in the 1990s, and this did serve to help alleviate many draws. With this new scoring system in place, English Premiership second-place side Chelsea could pass leaders Manchester United in 2 matches instead of 3. This would make for more exciting league title chases and more exciting group play in international tournaments.
Solution: Offer bonus points for a win of 3 goals or more in league play
Rugby currently offers bonus points in league play for a team that scores more than 5 tries, and for a team that loses by less than two scores. This keeps games interesting and exciting even when the outcome has been decided. I would propose offering 1 bonus point for a win by 3 goals or more, so a 2-1 win would earn a team 3 points in the standings, but a 4-1 win would earn four. FIFA has already altered the point format in league play, from 2 points for a win to 3 in the 1990s, and this did serve to help alleviate many draws. With this new scoring system in place, English Premiership second-place side Chelsea could pass leaders Manchester United in 2 matches instead of 3. This would make for more exciting league title chases and more exciting group play in international tournaments.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home