Soccer rules not on pace with game
By JIM KERNAGHAN -- London Free Press
Soccer players definitely get their feet into the game.
Their heads, too. Even their chests and occasionally, their knees.
But what about them being able to get their arms into the game to boost offence?
A thought came to mind while watching Euro 2004 -- why not a one-handed throw-in?
It seems here the endless complaining about lack of scoring in the game might be quieted through more scoring chances via a one-armed throw.
The normal two-handed, feet-on-the-ground return of the ball from out of bounds would be maintained, but the returner could have the option, in the offensive half, of delivering it one-handed.
A lot of players can loft a two-hander into the goalmouth from the sideline near the goalmouth to create a scoring chance. Some could do the same thing one-handed from well out near midfield, thereby setting up a similar chance.
Close observers noticed that during Euro 2004, there were some players doing it anyway, in a cleverly disguised way.
"You could tell by the spin of the ball," London City general manager Harry Gauss said. "It's a bit of sleight of hand, but they were managing it."
The subtle movement of the power hand in behind the ball with the guiding hand at the side sets up a particularly long throw-in. Gauss figures there was only one throw-in foul during the tournament.
So, instead of having to disguise it for some distance, why not just let the player rear back and hurl it in a long arc right into the goal-mouth?
"Anything that produces more goals would be a stimulus to the game," said Hamilton author and Canadian soccer historian Colin Jose. "But the purists in Europe are always reluctant to make changes. Still, why not a trial to see what one-handed throws would produce?"
There have been some welcome changes to the game, such as barring the goaltender from handling back-passes. And it was nice to see plenty of balls available during Euro 2004 rather than having to wait for an errant game ball to be retrieved.
But the rules of soccer have not kept pace with the changes in the game. Attempts have been made to alter the game's most perplexing rule, the offside rule, without success.
Basically, the rule dictates there must be two players between the defensive goal (one of whom is usually the goalie) and and an attacking player (or abreast of him) at the instant the ball is passed ahead.
Back-pedalling defenders can anticipate the pass and take a step forward, putting the attacker offside.
Gauss figures the rule is the one most responsible for fan frustration.
"It's the one most likely to cause riots in the stands," he said. "You know something? If they got rid of the offside rule, nothing would change other than speeding up the game. Players would still have to mark opposing players, but it definitely would create more offence."
Since any rules changes have to go right up to FIFA, the world governing body, nobody is holding his breath.
"They're a bunch of guys sitting in a windowless room breathing thin air making the decisions," Gauss said.
