Fairness of new rule guiding penalty saves
You're referring to the new rule governing penalty saves in football (soccer)!
The rule change, introduced in the 2020-21 season, aims to promote fairness and consistency in penalty saves. Here's a breakdown of the new rule:
Key changes:
- Goalkeepers must have both feet on the goal line: Before taking the penalty, the goalkeeper must have both feet on the goal line, with their body facing the ball. This ensures that the goalkeeper is in a consistent position and can't gain an unfair advantage by moving off the line.
- Goalkeepers can't move off the line until the ball is kicked: Once the penalty is taken, the goalkeeper can't move off the line until the ball has been kicked. This prevents goalkeepers from anticipating the direction of the shot and making an early move to block the ball.
- Goalkeepers can't touch the ball with their hands if it's been deliberately kicked to them: If a goalkeeper deliberately kicks the ball to themselves to gain possession, they can't touch the ball with their hands. This rule aims to prevent goalkeepers from gaining an unfair advantage by deliberately kicking the ball to themselves.
Rationale behind the changes:
The new rule aims to promote fairness and consistency in penalty saves by:
- Preventing goalkeepers from gaining an unfair advantage: By requiring goalkeepers to have both feet on the goal line and not move off the line until the ball is kicked, the rule prevents goalkeepers from anticipating the direction of the shot and gaining an unfair advantage.
- Encouraging goalkeepers to stay focused on the ball: By not allowing goalkeepers to touch the ball with their hands if it's been deliberately kicked to them, the rule encourages goalkeepers to stay focused on the ball and not try to gain an unfair advantage.
- Promoting a more even playing field: The new rule aims to create a more even playing field by preventing goalkeepers from using tactics that might give them an unfair advantage.
Initial reactions and concerns:
Some have expressed concerns that the new rule might lead to more penalty saves being awarded, as goalkeepers will be less able to anticipate the direction of the shot. Others have argued that the rule change will lead to more controversy and disputes, as referees will need to make more decisions about whether goalkeepers have moved off the line or deliberately kicked the ball to themselves.
Overall, the new rule aims to promote fairness and consistency in penalty saves, but it remains to be seen how it will be implemented and how it will affect the game.