Any comments on this simple rule change for football (soccer) to make it more exciting?

Question

I'm a recent follower of "the beautiful game." I've followed the Barclay's EPL for a year, Champions League, and the World Cup 2006. I would like your input regarding what I think is a simple rule change that would make the game more exciting: Prohibit a player from passing the ball back to his goal keeper. This rule would prevent a situation where a defender, when pressured by an opposing player, makes a cowardish pass to the goal keeper. I think that this rule will make the game more exciting, because it will:
1. force a defender try to keep the ball away from the attacking player. The defender will have to work harder to make sure that he keeps possession. This would create situations where the attacker wins possession and races to the goal. Breakaways to the goals are always more exciting than meaningless pass to the keeper;
2. Speed up the pace of the game. When the ball is played back to the keeper, it breaks the flow of the game.

Answer 1

No one gives a sh*t in the US

Answer 2

No offense, but this would be a horrible rule for the main reason that the goal keeper is just a member of the team on the pitch. The rules of soccer have very little pointless rules, basically the refs want to stay out of the way as much as possible and this would just force refs to take a larger role. What would happen IF a player passed it back to the keeper? Should he just let it roll by? What would happen if the keeper would take a free kick, like the keeper from Panama would from a few World Cups back? Would he be able to get the ball passed to him?

Football (soccer) is beautiful because there doesn't need to be goals for it to be exciting.

Answer 3

Atrocious idea, I'm afraid.

As has been pointed out, the goalkeeper has all the rights of an outfield player with the added bonus that he's allowed to use his hands in his own penalty area. If the goalkeeper can't receive passes then it's almost like playing with ten men. You sometimes need the goalkeeper as an outlet and he sometimes needs to play almost as a sweeper.

About 14 years ago the rules were changed so goalkeepers could not pick up backpasses. This is adequate.

If you think that the game is slowed down because of defenders playing the ball back to the 'keeper then maybe we should be looking at attackers putting more pressure on goalkeepers and quicker.

Answer 4

Hi,

Not so good, because the game then gets played in a more fast act ...

However the goal keeper cannot take any part in the game. He is also a defender!

Karl
http://www.bestlaserhairremoval.info/

Answer 5

With the rule you suggest, italians would no longer be able to take part in the game...so a good rule if you ask me!

GO ZIZOU!

Answer 6

First of all Michael if you are American and like soccer it is a sign of gayness . However it could well be a good move ,they do need to sort out the diving problem first ..Love and kissesxxxxx

Answer 7

to make fooball more exciting.. all the lady fans, must be topless.. and at half-time, the tv camera goes around the stadium zooming in...they could have a boobs of the month competition....great!!