Two things: Read more

Can we all agree that the shooter of a failed Panenka looks far more ridiculous than the keeper does with a successful one?

I had a German professor for a game theory class who always wore either a Bayern or Germany jersey to class & a big question on our final was finding the optimal strategy for PKs. There’s a few papers out there that have looked into this but I think this was one of the first:  Read more

Having been a pro keeper in the US for three years, I appreciated your piece. I’ll add a nuance to the commentary on Kyle Walker’s amazing goal. If you watch the GIF you provided, you’ll notice the Newcastle keeper bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet. Even though he had a slim chance to make the save, his feet… Read more

Another area that could be covered are shots that bounce like just a yard or two in front of the keeper. Those are difficult to deal with. Just as much as a baseball that ‘eats up’ a shortstop. Read more

Excellent article. As I’m quoted in the point regarding ‘near post’ goals, let me expand briefly: the issue isn’t so much the ball beating the keeper at the near post; it’s that if the shot is coming from a relatively acute angle, then the keeper will be positioned close to the near post to begin with, and so he/she… Read more

This is the good goalie stuff.

Slingin’ Sammy Baugh was a punter too. Old-school football players who played multiple positions (Yale Lary as a safety/punter and Lou Groza as a tackle/kicker also spring to mind, along with Chuck Bednarik as one of the last great 2-way players) are so much fun.  Read more

A lot of old school quarterbacks, most notably George Blanda, were also placekickers.  Read more

I know it’s not particularly spectacular, but I always remember this save from Gigi in 2006. I like how plainly the other angles demonstrate his skill and technique. He doesn’t overcommit, keeps his eye on the ball (even as Cannavaro rushes in and blocks his view), stays turned towards the shooter, keeps his feet…

I’ll see that and raise you Gregory Coupet, 2001:

Former fullback here - boo fucking hoo. At least you have moments where you get to look super cool. Read more

After the first paragraph it would appear to be “give them the appreciation they deserve by providing proper analysis”. Read more

Goalies are the punters of the soccer world. Underappreciated, misunderstood, and able to kick the ball over those darn mountains.
Read more

In the best cases their services are almost unnecessary. In the worst, their mistakes play out under a glaring spotlight where they are punished at an unforgiving rate.

I was playing in college when the back pass rule hit the books. I was a keeper with dubious foot skills, so, man, I was ever nervous. Also, in those days, we played with a dedicated sweeper who managed most of the defense management duties. Read more

I have a bunch of pictures of that same duck. Even went back multiple times so I could get day and night shots. Don’t know what it was about it, but it was fun. Love your shot — here’s the same duck, same statue. 😬

In 2014, they had The Duck floating here outside of a local museum for a few weeks. People were going nuts over it, so we walked down after happy hour to check it out.