A modified version of soccer with less players per team (seven versus eleven), a smaller field (70 yards x 35 yards), no heading of the ball, a hockey-like offside rule and smaller (2m x 4m) goals.
The offside rule, which is the major difference, is a modified version of ice hockey’s offside rule. If the ball is inside the attacking team’s offensive zone (25 yards), players can be anywhere on the field. If the ball is outside the offensive zone, players must have at least one defensive player (not including the goaltender) between the goal line and themselves. The ball does not have to precede the players into the offensive zone.
There is also a D-shaped crease which can only be occupied by the goaltender of the defending team.
I have been toying with this concept for quite some time. I will be trying to convince some local soccer teams to play by these rules and see what happens. In my mind, even with smaller goals, I think scores will be in the 5-2, 4-3 range, as opposed to 1-0, 1-1 etc. as is currently seen in soccer at the higher levels.
CubsOrSoxs wrote:
