Scoring a goal at 0-0 is much easier than scoring the equalizer that takes the score from 1-0 to 1-1. That is caused by the team that pulled ahead can now devote more resources to defending as it is not necessary to win by more than 1 goal.

Therefore, the equalizer should count for more. For example, 1.5 points. So, after a first goal by one side and an "equalizer" by the second side, the score would be 1-1.5. At that point, goals by either side count for one, for the rest of the game. That way the advantage of having scored swings back and forth as long as neither team has scored more than one goal more than the other team.

Not only does this idea recognize the greater value of the equalizer, it eliminates draws and therefore gets rid of the dreadful extra time and penalty kick tie breaking.
-- Goesta Berling, Dec 04 2022

Penalties First Penalties_20First
Another way to eliminate many penalty shoot out tie breakers [Goesta Berling, Dec 05 2022]

Bun for the interesting concept alone, I'd like to see this put to the test.
-- doctorremulac3, Dec 04 2022


Lets try it out: if I put a bone does that give the idea a -1.5 score?
-- pocmloc, Dec 04 2022


<later> no it just seems a normal equaliser.
-- pocmloc, Dec 04 2022


[pocmloc] it is different from the normal equalizer in that the team that scores the second goal (normally 1-1) would now give the second-scoring team the lead. That gives the 1-0 scoring team an added incentive to try to score a second and rewards the 1-1.5 scoring team a bigger reward for scoring that second goal. Those incentives remain throughout the rest of the game. A 2-0 score, however, is considered safe from a goal from the opponent as they would also require two goals to pull ahead.
-- Goesta Berling, Dec 04 2022


I notice that this rule would all but eliminate penalty shoot-outs. [+]
-- pertinax, Dec 05 2022


Yes, leaving us with the tickly problem of 0-0 draws dragging into extra time and penalties. Surely the most boring of all football matches. Perhaps we could expand the 1.5 goals system into the first goal also, to encourage attacking play?
-- calum, Dec 05 2022


... or award zero points to each team in a goalless draw.
-- pertinax, Dec 05 2022


This is so easy to test, just get some local school soccer team to try it.

There's been occasions where ideas here actually got elevated to reality, I have one that I know of, this would be incredibly easy. Some emails to high school gym teachers, that's it.

Any chance you might follow through with this Goesta? I really think you should. I think it was probably an idea of mine got actually done so it does happen, put up the link. (Walk through rain shower fountain)
-- doctorremulac3, Dec 05 2022


[pertinax] and [calum], I invite you to look at my "Penalties First" idea of a few years ago.
-- Goesta Berling, Dec 05 2022


[doctorremulac3], I agree. However, there is a very big difference between rec-league, high-school, amateur, and even college soccer on the one side and professional level soccer on the other. I can't remember any of my kid's games ending in a 1-0 or similar low score. Or a scenario where the leading team decided that 1-0 was enough and started defending that result rather than just pouring it on and running up the score.
-- Goesta Berling, Dec 05 2022


Regardless of the ability level of the players you’re testing with, you might get useful information that could be applied to the big leagues. Maybe have a high school math class partner with the schools rec department to try various scoring adjustment ideas eh? Even if nothing comes of it could be interesting.
-- doctorremulac3, Dec 05 2022



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