[Sforz]

Came across this, thought it was interesting, and decided to share

Bayern Munich Coach Louis Van Gaal Wants Abolition Of Penalty Shootouts

The Dutch gaffer has suggested changes to the laws of the game would benefit football...

By Stefan Coerts

09-Mar-2010 5:15:00 PM




Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has voiced his opinion that it's about time the laws of the game were changed and the Dutch gaffer has come up with a number of revolutionary ideas.

Van Gaal's most remarkable comments discussed the abolition of penalty shootouts. The former Holland coach wants a 'gladiatorial game' instead, which would favour the better footballing side.

"In extra-time, I'd like to see a 'gladiatorial game': every five minutes one player would be withdrawn, until it is six-a-side. After 120 minutes, the game would continue indefinitely until a golden goal," said van Gaal to Kicker.

Additionally, he proposed the introduction of a second referee as well as electronic surveillance for the goal and touch-lines, and for offside decisions.

"I believe we need as much technology as possible. Technology is always neutral and doesn't make the mistakes human beings make."

only thing, how are they supposed to fix games with all that technology?

[Slainte]

With more technology to come, the top teams will struggle big time

[Wilforth]

With more technology to come, the top teams will struggle big time

That's definitely true. The big teams benefit more from bad officiating.

[avgalani]

yup, i think he makes some points here

[Masu485]

i agree with the technology part, but i'm not liking the gladiator game...

[pavyracer]

Not sure how this will work. A team can start a bunch of youngsters that can run then play for a draw by not trying to score or use much energy and when the overtime begins and they start dropping players they drop the old tired guys and leave in the young and fresh ones to run and win the game in OT.

[Wilforth]

i agree with the technology part, but i'm not liking the gladiator game...

The gladiator doesn't make much sense, IMHO.

[Dark Horse]

I don't see what's wrong with the pk shootout. High drama, good stuff. Unless it's a final, in which case I would like to see a replay. They used to replay the CL final, before it was the CL.

[SRBI]

I agree wholeheartedly with Van Gaal's ideas, especially the 'Gladiatorial Shootout' - absolutely f*cking brilliant!

I think those of you whole don't like the idea are just overthinking it. That's a common problem around here.

[SRBI]

I don't see what's wrong with the pk shootout. High drama, good stuff. Unless it's a final, in which case I would like to see a replay. They used to replay the CL final, before it was the CL.

What is wrong with the PK shootout is what Van Gaal said...it does not in the end show you who is the better side.

PK's are pretty much all luck - and please, don't preach to me how much "skill" it takes to kick a ball into a (pretty much) wide open net from 7 meters. That goal is huge from 7 meters, hard to miss, unless the nerves get to ya.

My little cousin age 13 could do it vs. O21 clubs. It's a joke really.

[pavyracer]

A better idea would be to increase the number of PK's to 7 instead of 5. That gladiator stuff is silly. Teams will find a way to take advantage of it. Once it goes down to 6 on 6 on a 110 yard field the team with the faster players will win. And will there be offside on 6 on 6? It's just silly.

[Dark Horse]

Pk's take plenty of skill. Ask any pk specialist. As with anything, practice makes perfect. Placement is one thing, but the specialists send the goalie the wrong way. If you believe it's 'luck', as 'SRBI', you have already lost.

The gladiator thing makes no sense from a conditioning and fatigue aspect either. It will really help the next opponent in a tournament like the World Cup.

Van Gaal also want the throw-in replaced by a kick-in. Like there aren't enough set plays already.

I do like Van Basten's idea to get rid of offside. That will lengthen the field, and increase goal to goal action.

[JOHON8]

Penalty kicks are not entirely luck. The team with the most confidence in a final usually win these. But I agree that the game should be either extended or replayed if necessary. It would be really frustrating if my home country made the World Cup final, dominated the other team and then lost in penalties because of 1 or 2 mistakes.

[blackf1re]

PK's are pretty much all luck

That is rubbish. Why has Lampard converted 29 of his last 30 whereas the whole Tottenham team isn't able to score even a single one?

I play football myself and I'm amazed how many pens are missed. Any decent footballer who has a decent strike should be able to shoot above the imaginary line that divides the goal in two equally high halves (IIRC only 2% of these shots get saved) aiming for one of the corners . It really isn't that difficult.

But players miss because they try to be fancy when they really shouldn't. Ronaldo in the CL Final 08 or even Zidane against Italy come to mind (it worked and looked great; still think it was stupid). Or more likely they just pick a corner (some don't even do that), aim way too low and hope the keeper jumps the other way.

It's no luck at all imho.


Ballack probably has one of the best techniques when it comes to penalties. He always puts it in one of the upper corners. Just look at that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nx15Ffn0DkE

I usually take my penalties with the inside of my foot, though because I have more confidence in that. But the point stands.

[DIESELHEEL]

Really dislike this coach, this just kangfirmed it a bit more.

[Bostonknowledge]

Van Gaal is a clown. If not for the wonderful luck of having all those young talented Dutch players + Kanu at Ajax at the same time, he would have been exposed a while ago.

[Sforz]

I do like Van Basten's idea to get rid of offside. That will lengthen the field, and increase goal to goal action.

As a life long defender, I absolutely hate this idea. I played in an Italian (American) League that couldn't afford linesmen... one of the organizers had the idea of only having offside inside the box. Talk about cherry picking. Completely ruined the game. Made a life time of offside traps and pushing up feel meaningless. It was probably fun for Forwards, but as a defender, it ruined the beautiful game for me. Not saying this about you Dark Horse, but some people just don't respect a good defense. It sometimes dosn't show as clearly as a huge save, or a nice goal. But for some of us, there is warm feeling had from a well run offsides trap too.

/end rant

[Dark Horse]

As a life long defender, I absolutely hate this idea. I played in an Italian (American) League that couldn't afford linesmen... one of the organizers had the idea of only having offside inside the box. Talk about cherry picking. Completely ruined the game. Made a life time of offside traps and pushing up feel meaningless. It was probably fun for Forwards, but as a defender, it ruined the beautiful game for me. Not saying this about you Dark Horse, but some people just don't respect a good defense. It sometimes dosn't show as clearly as a huge save, or a nice goal. But for some of us, there is warm feeling had from a well run offsides trap too.

/end rant

In professional soccer the fitness level has increased to a point where defenders, if they play a disciplined zone, can close down virtually every gap. Some skill is involved for this, but it is not the same skill level that is required for creating space with the ball.

I've seen many games where the much better team had the opponent pinned down at their own sixteen, but could not find a way through. As a result of this improved defense soccer matches have become increasingly boring over the years.

Getting rid of offside, however, may not have the influence that Van Basten envisioned, and could actually make the game even more defensive if teams decided to keep more players back. At least the offside rule enables a team to have all players, except the goalie, on the opponent's half. Then again, if it would produce five against five on both ends of the field, instead of ten against ten or eleven, that would definitely be more exciting to watch.

You mention the offside trap. It was invented by Rinus Michels, coach of Ajax at the time, and he later expressed regret about this innovation, saying that it had changed the nature of the game too much. Does the general public really prefer a whistle over the excitement of a scoring chance?

Anyway, there is no need to worry about drastic changes to soccer, because FIFA is easily the most conservative sports federation in the world.

[blackf1re]

Getting rid of offside would be absolutely horrible. If the purpose is too see more goals then they are better ways, e.g. making the goal bigger.

But I don't think football lacks goals. Of course you see less goals now than say 50 years ago b/c the game is on a whole new level. But instead of saying there are not enough goals I'm of the opinion that there were too much 50 years ago. I can appreciate a good tactical battle (in fact I always seem to be the only one who thought the CL final 03 was a great game ). Of course I love to see the odd 6-2 scoreline, but it's usually a sign of bad defending which makes it less enjoyable for me.

Some stats: http://www.soccerstats.com/

You can see the average amount of goals is 2.5-3 in just about any major league which I think really is the right number.

[JOHON8]

There are a lot of changes that need to be done in soccer. But since it's currently being played and financed on such a massive level FIFA is being way too conservative. I agree with Dark Horse, that there needs to be something done to open games up and make them more exciting, it's rare nowadays to see an open game.

Some simple changes could really make soccer dominant over other fast scoring sports like hockey and basketball IMO.

[Dirty Sanchez]

It's an interesting concept, that's for sure. Louis is an interesting cat, but there are more important areas they should address in football. How about looking at the diving? In my opinion it's so far out of hand anymore that I think it's ruining the game. I believe replay should be used and retroactive red cards handed out.