Penalty kicks

[caparica007]

I am from the time when a penalty was when the player hits the ball intentionally with the hand. Now every ball that hits an arm is penalty and this is nonsense! For when a reasonable rule that shows intention to play the ball with the hand?

 

[deansaliba]

I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but more and more defenders are starting to defend with their hands behind their backs, OK you are keeping your hands and arms out of the way of the ball, but it doesn't help with your balance!

 

[caparica007]

That is true and also strikers instead of aiming to score are aiming at the arms of the defenders, it's not normal!

 

[deansaliba]

That is true and also strikers instead of aiming to score are aiming at the arms of the defenders, it's not normal!

I must admit that I never noticed this, but you are 100% correct, they DO seem to be aiming at defender's arms get cheap penalties. I think they should only count the actual hand.

 

[caparica007]

They do aim and then they turn to the referee saying it's a penalty, but this only happens because the rule is dubious, I think a clear rule should be made.

 

[AshleyHughes]

I agree that a penalty should only be given if it's obviously clear that it has hit the hand of the defender and not the shoulder, arm or elbow as they can be hit accidently but I agree that a clear rule needs to be implemented in regards to awarding a penalty.

 

[Denis Hard]

A penalty is the easiest way to score. . .so if and while ball-to-hand can get you a penalty, why not go for it? I mean if it's harder to get a clean shot at the goal and a defender's hands are all over the place it's just logical that instead of being dispossessed you just aim a good shot at those hands and demand for a penalty.

I'd do that if I were a player [and desperate enough to score].

 

[AshleyHughes]

A penalty is an easy way to score but i think it's against the spirit of the game to purposely aim for the hands, it's bad enough players diving for pens but to act in that way is dreadful.

 

[caparica007]

It's exactly the same, if a player dives he can see a yellow card so I think that someone aiming for the arm should have the same punishment.

 

[Denis Hard]

Whilst there's no punishment divers should receive proper training to perfect their shots at hands. It might go against the spirit of the game as Ashley says but Maradona scored with his hand in a WC final. So for me I'd go for a win using foul or fair means.

 

[caparica007]

Are you suggesting that players should train to shoot at hands? Really?

 

[AshleyHughes]

Seriously aim for the hands, I can't believe it's actually being suggested lol, Maradona did it as well as Suarez being a temp goalkeeper against Ghana but again it's just plainly wrong even if you are 1-1 with 5 mins to go in a WC final.