evolve the shoot-out!
nerve. Soccer, however, should reward skill
rather than punish errors.
Rewarding skill, not failure
I propose a simple solution – one that
retains the practical and dramatic benefits
BY Jim KouKounaras billion dollar sports entertainment industry, a of the shoot-out, whilst removing the stigma
solution to the deadlocked tie was necessary. attached to it.
In 1977, in his Television schedules cannot be put on hold; Take the shots from anywhere along the “D” of
autobiography, Pelé waiting for a replay to decide a match slows the penalty area. Allow the goalkeeper to stand
described soccer as “the the progress of a tournament. anywhere in the goal area.
beautiful game.” This This arrangement increases the difficulty
phrase has now become foCuses on The negaTive of each attempt. Players will no longer be
synonymous with all that is positive in soccer. The penalty shoot-out does achieve its expected to score, removing the emphasis
It captures the essence of the moment that stated goal. It also adds a sense of drama. The on failure. Indeed, the conversions will be
leaves us gob-smacked; pointing at the play problem lies in its focus on the negative. It celebrated. The shot itself will be more
in wonder, knowing no words can describe is the player who failed that is remembered. spectacular and require more skill than the
what we have just witnessed. These moments Even the goalkeeper’s heroics are relegated shot from the penalty spot.
transcend local allegiance and become to the background. How sad it is that two Other alternatives to the penalty shoot-
embedded into our memories. The rarity of entire World Cups have been decided by out resonates such as rewarding earlier
these moments is part of their mystique. this sporting version of Russian roulette. performance within the tournament or
The shoot-out, however, in its current form, Forgotten is the sublime play of Roberto rewarding indicators of attacking play have
does not belong in “the beautiful game.” Baggio, which helped Italy reach the 1994 been discussed, but have not generated a
The penalty shoot-out was first introduced final. His miss, however, is remembered ground swell of support. The North American
in the early ’70s. Indeed, it was a better by all. Daniel Trezuguet’s forlorn figure in Soccer League and Major League Soccer
alternative than the previous method of 2006 is remembered well before any of the attempts at a shoot-out variation lacked
drawing lots. Many major competitions successful conversions. Apologists, resigned popularity. The search for an alternative
initially shied away from the introduction of to the reality of modern soccer and the likely continues with Sepp Blater (FIFA president)
the shoot-out, preferring replays. However, continued existence of the shoot-out, are clearly indicating that he does not want the
with the evolution of soccer into a multi- pointing to it as a specific skill and test of World Cup decided by penalty kicks.
www.Kickabout.ca
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23
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