OT: How to make soccer more exciting
tying the goalie to crossbar with a unsliding leash just long enough to let him touch either goalpost so he doesn't come all the way out all the time.
I'll save you some money. Make everyone take LSD before the game and you don't need to have anything on the field at all.
The best thing soccer can do is not pander to non soccer fans in an attempt to increase appeal. That move has hurt the NHL (financially and otherwise) and it's hurt the NBA (credibility). More scoring =|= a better game.
edit: though snipers would add an interesting element for sure... especially on missed handballs or goals
Here's a good idea.
Get rid of the sport. Nobody in the USA likes it.
The one change I'd like to see is liberalized substitution. I do think you'd see more late-game scoring (especially in extra time) if there were more fresh legs out there. I'm not talking about extreme changes like letting guys re-enter the game, but I don't see why a team can't use, say, five subs instead of three. At the least, teams should be allowed 1-2 new subs if a game goes into extra time.
I think it depends. If I'm not mistaken, you're allowed five subs in an international friendly.
But yes, for the big tournaments, it's always three.
I would actually support allowing completely free substitutions, for the following reasons:
1) Under the limited subs rule, players need to conserve energy because they have to go 90 minutes; with unlimited subs, players could go full-out while on the field, then take a break, then go back in. I believe this would increase the intensity level of the game significantly.
2) Rewards depth, and lets the fans get to see your entire team, not just half of it. (This might actually be the best reason not to do it, at least for international play, as it would tend to disadvantage the smaller countries)
3) If a player is shaken-up, it doesn't force you either to permanently sub the player or else give the opponent a man-advantage while he recovers.
4) Would increase the strategy element of the game
Tether the players to poles stretched across the field in various lines a la foosball. Because honestly, who doesn't enjoy foosball...?
I think it is all about pace, what people want is a faster pace. Who has time to put on a soccer game and not be entertained and sitting on the edge of their seat for 90 minutes, I don't. Don't give me a bunch of crap about understanding the intricacies of the sport, I want to be entertained dammit.
Solution: Put about 8-10 balls in play and let shots ring out from all over, put some bells and whistles in like pinball, and the people will be enthralled. Have a world lottery worth a billion rupees for the winning goal and soccer will be very very exciting.
then why do you prefer to watch a 60 minute game that takes 3.5 hrs vs. a 90 min game that takes 2?
Every fan in the stadium gets a slingshot and 20 marbles!.............good times
Goalies can use their hands anywhere on their own half. Creat another penalty box at midfield and if there is a foul in the new area there is a PK.
Terry Tate, soccer linebacker.
He'll bring some real pain, give opponents something to roll around on the ground for.
Add Power Plays ala Hockey.
I myself am a fan of the Get Fuzzy proposals in the Sunday funnies yesterday, in particular the one that suggests the referees should administer unto any player the exact injury which he is faking.
seriously, football (or soccer) is a great sport that is followed by more fans than any other sport in the world. The thought that it needs to change to make people who have nothing better to do with their time than follow another sport (but just don't like soccer) is laughable.
If some people don't like soccer that is fine, it isn't for eveyone, just follow something else. Billions of people think this sport is just fine (every fan has a few gripes about officiating but that is about it) so why would FIFA risk alienating them to pander to the few who "might" become fans if the sport changes?
I, for one, am on the edge of my seat while watching a soccer match. I don't get bored in the least and am thoroughly entertained by the final whislte. If you find yourself bored and not entertained simply find something else to do with your life that doesn't involve watching soccer.....it's easy, no?
Edit* I like all the funny responces on the thread i.e. the one above me. It is the ones that seriously want soccer to make drastic changes so they can enjoy it more I am referring to in my post.
Dude, visit any soccer website and see what people thought of the championship game. Even hardcore fans get tired of games with few chances. Note the constant applauding Spain got from afficionados for playing an "open game" (which produced all of eight goals in seven games). It's possible to like a sport and still think it can be improved. Heck, look at all the discussion about instant replay in baseball. It's not non-baseball fans that are bringing it up.
Most of the talk that has gone on over the past few weeks involved drastic changes to the sport to make it better, that is what I am referring to. I was one who spoke about the benefit instant replay could have on the game. Also the inclusion of another official or goal line judge.
This isn't what has been purposed on most occasions and isn't what I was referring to. I am talking about changes like make the pitch smaller, have less people playing, allow guys to be subbed off and return later in the game when the are rested. These are things that would totally change the face of the sport and make it something entirely different.
To go with your baseball analogy the people I was referring to in my post would be people who think baseball would be more fun to watch if teams just sent everyone to the plate each inning instead of getting three out, the pitcher mound was moved in 10 feet, people could not use gloves while playing the field and you used broom sticks for bats and tennis balls for the ball of choice. What you are left with is no longer baseball.
The "suggestions for improvement" I am speaking of in my post aren't any more outlandish than the ones in the baseball analogy. I didn't say the sport couldn't be improved, but if people think it needs to be changed as drastically as I have seen many suggest, perhaps finding another sport to watch is a better option.
Also, to conclude, I don't need to visit a soccer website to see what fans thought of the championship game. I watched the game and can formulate my own opinion on the game. Other than the diving I was entertained and am not someone that needs to see a lot of goals scored in order to appreciate a soccer match.
I think I feel the excitement growing.