Football rarely makes substantive changes to its laws of the game.
There are regular technical changes that impact interpretation of laws of the game (LOTG) and redefine procedural matters – for example, introducing the concept of passive offside, determining where free kicks are taken, giving cautions for removing a shirt when celebrating a goal, instructing referees on hand signals for a direct and indirect free kick et cetera – but for the for most part the football I watch today is the same as when I first watched it more than 40 years ago.
However, the way football is played has changed. Players are fitter, stronger and quicker and the game is played at a higher pace than when I started watching. No doubt people who’ve been watching for longer will notice the changes even more.
One of the few substantive changes to the LOTG in my lifetime that profoundly changed the way football is played was the introduction of the back pass law in 1992. Prior to its introduction a goalkeeper was allowed to use their hands inside his own penalty area at any time.
However, since 1992 the goalkeeper is no longer allowed to touch the ball with their hands if a teammate deliberately kicks the ball to them or if they receive it directly from a throw-in taken by a teammate.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
This law has profoundly changed the game. In particular it has changed the technical requirements needed to be an elite goalkeeper.
Now, 25 years after the introduction of the back pass law, I would like to see a further substantive change that will affect goalkeepers and that I think will increase the purity of the game by further minimising the use of hands to control the ball.
The goal area in football is defined by law 01.5 as
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, 5.5 m (6 yds) from the inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for 5.5 m (6 yds) and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the goal area.
But what exactly is the purpose of the goal area? After reviewing the LOTG the only purpose I see for the goal area marking is to create a zone from which a goal kick is taken. While this purpose is important, I would like the goal area to have a new and more powerful purpose that will transform the way the game is attacked and defended.
(Patrick-Leigh / CC BY-SA 2.0)
My new law is based purely on the goal area would be:
A goalkeeper is the only player permitted inside his team’s goal area and the goalkeeper is only allowed to touch the ball with his hands inside his own goal area.
Some of the benefits I see from this law change would include:
- Eliminating the likelihood of an attacking player’s leg, knee or boot making contact with a goalkeeper’s head as the goalkeeper slides down to intercept a ball. Such a collision nearly killed goalkeeper Petr Čech when he was playing for Chelsea.
- Eliminating large groups of players jostling around the goalkeeper at corners and the inevitable free kick awarded to goalkeepers from minor infringements that never get called a foul anywhere else on the park.
- Increasing pure foot-foot interactions, since a much larger area will be continuously in play.
- Increasing goal chances and goals.
- Increasing shots on goals, since players will no longer be able to try to walk the ball into the goal.
- Reducing time-wasting tactics.
Will there be negative outcomes from this law change? I can’t think of any major consequences other than eliminating tap-in goals from inside 5.5 metres.
So let’s make the goal area a no-go zone for outfield players and reduce the occassions on which a goalkeeper can handle the ball.
Nemesis
Roar Guru
Your response clearly indicates you don't have the aptitude to understand this Green Paper. The use of hands by goal keeper was curtailed by a major law change in 1992. There was no change in goal size. No change in markings on the pitch. No change in off-side. Just a law that redefined when a GK could handle the ball. Now, 1/4 century later, my proposal suggests a further change to when a GK can handle the ball. There is absolutley no change in goal size. No change in markings on the pitch. No change in off-side. So, if this is what you've been suggesting in the past - fair enough. We are on the same page.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Don't worry Fuss - - I'm a patient man. The gradual erosion of your granite façade has begun!!! ;-)
Nemesis
Guest
No, to any suggestions about removing the offside law. No, to any change to the dimensions of the playing area, or goal, or penalty area, or goal area. My Law suggests only 2 technical adjustments 1) GK cannot use hands outside Goal Area 2) Only GK is allowed inside Goal Area. Nothing else.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Ha!! Glad YOU suggested this one. A bloke called #Nemesis would've chewed my head off if I suggested anything like this. btw - notice how those bigger, fitter, full time professional 'goal-keeping school' trained goalies are somewhat different to the goalies of years gone by.......perhaps stretch that wood work by half around the edges. ;-) and,...just do away with off-side (follow field hockey - now avalanche of scoring followed but it starts taking the 'look-at-me' refs/lines-men a little more OUT of the equation.
Nemesis
Guest
Give an example of how this Law change would be used by teams to be more cautious? We are simply reducing the area where a GK can use his hands. And not allowing players into a tiny area, where few players ever venture during open play. And, keeping that area vacant at corners has to lead to more creativity at corner kicks
Redondo
Guest
I don't know Nemesis - I reckon teams would become far more cautious and defensive with a rule like this.
Nemesis
Roar Guru
Exactly. Wonderful isn't it? More goals. We know Goalkeepers today are much taller than previously. Some have suggested making the goals bigger to compensate for this physical evolution. But, here I've found a solution that keeps every dimension on the field the same. The only difference is we don't allow the GK to handle the ball outside the Goal Area. Goalkeepers will need to be sweepers and pure Shot Stoppers.
Another Paul
Guest
I don't know if anyone mentioned this before but way to hamstring a goalkeeper in a 1 on 1. how many times do you see a goalkeeper run out of the 6-yard box to make himself larger and harder to get a ball past. Now you're telling him you can do that but if it hits your hand's well you're going to cop a red card. The 1 on 1 is going to be history, have you tried to defend a 1 on 1 from inside the 6-yard box? It doesn't work
Jeff Williamson
Roar Pro
This is a good suggestion. I would like to see it in a trial game. It would change defending in a big way. Keepers would not be able to come out for a high cross. I also think heading will be gone soon, and this change will work well with that. Send it to FFA and FIFA.
Nemesis
Roar Guru
That's also an option, but would have to read a bit about why those specific measurements were chosen for the Penalty Area, Goal Area, Penalty Spot, etc. There seems to be a symmetry with the use of a 6 yard base measurement. Eg. The Goal Area is measured 6 yards from the inside of each goal post then a further 6 yards into the field of play. The Penalty Area is 18 yards from the inside of each goal post (i.e. 3x 6 yards) and extends 18 yards into the field of play. So the Goal area "width" is exactly 1/3rd the Penalty Area width. Then the Penalty Spot itself is exactly 12 yards from the goal line - i.e. exactly half way between the edge of the Penalty box & the edge of the Goal Area. So, I wouldn't want to upset the symmetry.. might upset the Masons! Also, if we reduce the size of the Penalty Area, we reduce the area where defenders can foul an attacker without conceding a Penalty. I don't want that.
Redondo
Guest
Why not do away with the goal area and just make the penalty area smaller e.g. only as far as the penalty spot?
Nemesis
Roar Guru
No problem, Middy. Good to have alternative points. To be honest, I'd be willing to remove the "no go zone" provision. The main Law I want to change is only allowing the GK to handle the ball in the Goal Area, not the full penalty area. Would you see significant benefit from this? Remember, the Back Pass Law was significant change & we all agree the Game is much better for it. Wouldn't you prefer to have less stoppages from the GK picking up the ball with every over hit forward pass?
Nemesis
Roar Guru
Ha! I doubt there would be any issues unless a goal is scored with a player's toe on the line of the 6 yard box. As I mentioned above, I'm pretty sure they have a similar rule in European Handball. I don't recall any major video review issues.. and they really push the boundaries when attacking - quite literally. Does outdoor hockey also have certain "no go zones" when scoring? To be honest, I'd be willing to remove the "no go zone" provision. The main Law I want to change is only allowing the GK to handle the ball in the Goal Area, not the full penalty area.
Post_hoc
Guest
Nemesis, all i can say is mate you must love the VAR. I would buy shares in McDonald (I know I Can't) if it came into effect. Ice Hockey has a similar rule in which the puck mu cross the crease (the semi circle in front of the goals before an ATTACKING player enters the crease (usually stick or skate) this stops an attacking team standing a player in the goal. There version of VAR's are often called into review to see if the puck went in before a skate etc.
Midfielder
Guest
Nem After careful consideration, I am in the no camp.... its been this way for close to 150 years and it not that broke that change is screaming.... An interesting change of rules re concussion findings is should heading be banned... I understand its banned to U 12 I think...
Nemesis
Roar Guru
It will take a bit of adjustment, but hardly a big deal. As I said, I played Futsal with the same Law & it wasn't difficult to adapt. I also played outdoor when the Back Pass Law was introduced. That was much more difficult for defenders because it meant a readjusting how you played the game & positioned yourself & reacted to turn overs. PS: Pretty sure European Handball has rules for "no go zone" when scoring goals? It does create acrobatic skills.
Redondo
Guest
The main thing I can't get my head around is how players will be able to avoid going into the goal area without compromising the way they play. On that point, are they 'in' the area even if their feet aren't on the ground - if not, we could see some extraordinary acrobatics. If so, won't you need an extra 4 line officials.
Nemesis
Roar Guru
It's good to get the contrary view. I would've thought this Law change is hardly radical. It's merely redefining where the GK can handle the ball. By contrast, removal of the offside law would be radical. Maybe "the no go zone" is radical, but I see huge benefits - especially from corners where teams will have to be far more strategic than just lumping the ball into the Goal Area. Also, I see goal keepers needing to be extremely good with their feet. Also, it will reduce the reliance on balls in the air. I just watched a bit of the Alan Shearer documentary: "Dementia, Football & Me" and I wouldn't be surprised to see heading the ball eliminated from our Game for medical reasons in the near future. This Law will drastically reduce the number of balls in the air.
Redondo
Guest
Good point, which highlights the problem of introducing new rules that aim to bias play in one direction or another.
Nemesis
Guest
Very good observation, realist. We'd need to polish the technical details, but this discussion piece was more to stimulate ideas on whether this Law could be beneficial. To avoid the outcome you mention, the ball entering the Goal Area would be deemed to be in the GK's possession & the 6 second rule would apply.