> From: "kilopascal" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Subject: [USMA:8997] sports rules
>
> Maybe it is time for FIFA to change their rules to adopt more rational SI
> distances. Would anyone notice if the free kick was at 9 m instead of 9.15
> m? ... How critical is it? And if it
> isn't that critical, why not just say 9 m?
Why not make it 10 m ?
I can't see where it is very critical at all.
Not too many years ago, American football changed its rules to move the goal
posts from the goal line to a point over 9 metres further back ("10 yards"
back, at the back of the "end zone"). The reason was safety because there
were too many injuries caused by running into the goal posts.
The goal posts are used in American football in a scoring play known as a
field goal, where the kicker kicks the ball and it must go over the cross
bar and between the uprights of the "H" shaped goal post.
I know of no particular difficulty that was not easily overcome when the
goal posts were placed 9 m further back. Surely international (FIFA)
football (which we Americans call soccer) can adjust easily to a mere 85 cm
change from 9.15 m to 10 m.
Regards,
Bill Hooper
