The thoughts and experiences of a father, husband, soccer enthusiast, cycling lover. And whatever else I feel like talking about on any particular day.
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Why You Should Hate Soccer
Don't mistake the title of this post for me hating soccer. I love it. I love to watch, play, talk about and generally everything to do with soccer. However, there are some aspects that I find infurriating with the way the game is played these days.
SIMULATION
My first complaint is common among many people, especially those that are casual fans, or not fans at all. It is the simulation (a.k.a. diving, flopping.) When players fake contact and the resulting injury. This is unnecessary and takes away from the game. Sometimes the officials are fooled and will award a free kick. Other times the officials do not take the bait and simply instruct the player rolling on the ground to get up and continue playing. It is at the discretion of the official if a yellow card should be administered for such a simulation. Too often cards are not issued. I am afraid this tactic will only continue and likely get worse.
FREE KICKS
When a free kick is awarded, all opposing team players are to be a minimum of ten yards away from the ball. I have noticed more and more players standing directly in front of the ball not more than ONE yard away. These people have been playing this game nearly their entire life. They know the rules. The reason is to slow the game and prevent a quick free kick from being taken before your team's defense can be set. I would like to FIFA add a consequence of a yellow card for players that institute this unlawful tactic.
VIDEO REPLAY REVIEW
Some purists may disagree with me on this point. In some instances a video replay review should be implemented. With soccer matches often being low scoring affairs, one bad call can adversely impact a team. One of the more recent examples of this would be the peru goal that was allowed against Brazil in the Copa America. It was clear upon review that the goal should have been called back. This goal, the only goal in the match in which Brazil needed a draw to advance, eliminated Brazil from the competition. UEFA may have the next best solution, additional official on the endlines. This puts an extra set of eyes on the game and also in the critical Penalty area. We already have "Goal Line Technology" to determine if a ball completely crosses the goal line, it is time to take the next step and implement video review.
PENALTY KICKS
This last is more of a personal complaint. Penalty kicks are too frequently in favor of the penalty taker. The penalty spot is 12 yards from the goal line. Goalkeepers are only allowed to move side to side along the line. If they move toward the penalty spot before the ball is struck, the officials may order the kick to be retaken. However, penalty takers often vary the run up speed and nearly pause to confuse the keeper. I say the penalty spot should be moved back three yards. Give the penalty taker a slighter chance of missing the goal completely. Also it would give the goalkeeper more time to decide which area of the goal to defend.
I was asked by a co-worker to create some Revit families from CAD blocks. They are 2D plan representations of people. I asked the requester if she wanted them named any certain way because this is what I saw.
Well, the kids are getting older and today our eldest received his license from the state of NC. So that means our insurance will increase, dramatically. Not only that, but we are once again a 3 car family. The wife has the Kia Sedona so that we can accommodate the family of six. We still have the Dodge Charger, and last week I bought a 2016 Hyundai Veloster. Gina and I had been in discussions for a couple of weeks about the "car situation" and I had been tentatively shopping online for a small hatchback. After searching Autotrader , Carmax , Carvana I found the Hyundai through Autotrader at a local dealer . So I messaged them online to make sure the car I had seen was still available and to make arrangements to see the car and take it for a test drive. I left work last Wednesday at lunch and made my way to the dealer. After driving the car I decided it was the right price and just what I had been looking for. Gina was away on an overnight field trip so I sent some tex...
It was another concert weekend. We kicked it off Friday at Local 506 seeing regional bands Youth League , Knowne Ghost and Cuzco . Earlier in the week my son told me that he remembered seeing the bassist for Youth League at Wreckingball last summer. When we arrived at the club I saw the band outside talking. I told my son to ask him if he was indeed there last summer. Being too shy he declined. I on the other hand have not many reservations about approaching people on the street to talk to them. When asked, he confirmed that he was there. Knowne Ghost was a last minute replacement for Outbound and I was grateful because I was able to hear a "new to me" band. Youth League Saturday morning was an early start. I got up early to see Gina off for her trip to the SAS conference in Orlando. I watched the first half of the Merseyside Derby. Then I headed out to watch local soccer as some of my friends were playing each other before my own 10:00 kickoff. My game was a victory...
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