Comments on: Dread, Panenka, Cliché, Casquero

By: Elliott

Elliott — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 01:16:15 +0000

Totti is one of my favorite PK takers because early on in his career he preferred the chip, then went through a few years of low drilled shots, and now is totally unpredictable.

By: Billy Pilgrim

Billy Pilgrim — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 16:17:58 +0000

You should try to extend this essay to define the borders between Panenkas and lobs. I think Totti shows best how blurred the two apparently (and ‘legally’) different situations can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oev5maQIVas

By: Hetz

Hetz — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:10:57 +0000

The art of deception is a proven technique across all realms of competition. Whether it be on the pitch, court, sandlot, poker table, etc…not that this is a revolutionary statement by any means. In my opinion it is, in fact, brave to “panenka” the goalie. Not so much in its most primal…I’m the alpha male and you’re not…sense of the word, but more of a refined…I could go upper corner, but choose to exploit your machismo instead…type of brave. It’s saying that, in this moment, I’m going to beat you by working smarter not harder. Athletes who can do both are truly world class.

By: Gt

Gt — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:58:07 +0000

Here’s some recent penalty mindgames from backup goalie Pinto of Barcelona.

Shake the penalty-taker’s hand, and then tell him which way you’re going to dive.

Penalty taker nods acknowledgement.

They both go that way.

It reminded me of the host in Slumdog Millionaire. “Here’s the answer!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsXCWpsC5YY

By: Jacob from Atlanta

Jacob from Atlanta — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:32:17 +0000

You cannot have an onside punt in American football, but an onside kickoff is always allowed, and always has been as far as I know. I can think of no “watershed moment” for it, just that it’s been done for a very long time. The rule about it is, though, that the ball must travel ten yards or be touched by an opposing teams player before the kicking team can recover it and maintain possession.

Also, thanks for the article, well done!

By: Bill

Bill — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 23:25:30 +0000

It’s a question of what you perceive bravery to be. I disagree with this notion, I guess, and your point.

By: mexicanbluefish

mexicanbluefish — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:12:28 +0000

This is my first visit to this blog and I am VERY impressed by the look and by the writing. Great article. Thanks.

By: Scotian

Scotian — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:29:13 +0000

Is there someone keeping stats of all penalty taken at high level, so we can finally decide which kick is more efficient ?

It seems you’re a proponent of the strong kick in one of the goal’s upper corners. Sure, it’s hardly stoppable, but very easy to miss. England got out of tournaments many times this way.

I’m more for the lower corner kick. It’s less difficult to shoot, so you don’t have to concentrate too much on your kick, and put yourself under less pressure.

By: » Blog Archive » Failing from twelve yards

» Blog Archive » Failing from twelve yards — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:18:38 +0000

[...] at the Run of the Play has a wonderful post exploring the folly of trying to be a little too clever. Beautifully written, it’s well worth [...]

By: Fredorrarci

Fredorrarci — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 22:43:23 +0000

Thanks, all.

p4limpsest:

Is it possible to have an onside punt? I thought the rules would disallow that. Anyway, I’ll leave your question for someone better acquainted with American football than I am.

Scotian, Elliot:

If Zidane meant it, it would trump Panenka, that’s for sure. Much as I’d love to believe it was deliberate, though, I just can’t…

I should point out that I didn’t mean to pick on Zidane’s kick or anything. I guess it came to mind because it’s such a famous example, and because it occupied some middle ground in between success and failure (erring on the side of success, because it crossed the line, after all).

Bill:

You’re making my point for me. Is the taker’s attempting to take charge, trying to become the primary actor, not a greater, braver thing to do than to subjugate himself, as you put it? Is it so admirable to play on the railway line?

Joao Jorge:

Excellent point. I did allude to that with the link to the Killian Brennan penalty (hello, League of Ireland fans!), and the Postiga example is even better. I don’t know how much this undercuts the argument. But I still feel that so many Panenkas, even successful ones, are like someone sprinting across a street as a car approaches: you risked your life, you didn’t get killed, but you’re still an idiot.

mafu:

Thanks for the link. Now that’s a penalty!