(04-11-2014, 17:52)talkSAFT Wrote: Absolutely spot-on, Drewks and Ska'd.
I still can't resist kicking a ball that comes in my direction when I'm over the park, and it's quite true - today's ball does allow you to stroke with your instep - I don't remember it being that easy 'back in the day'.
Similarly I can't get my breath these days when goalies automatically go for a punch instead of a catch. Whatever are they giving the ball away for? How difficult is it with today's ball to catch it?
Are there any goalies out there who can answer that? Are there any of the right age who have experienced the old ball and the new ball?
I spent most of my childhood , teenage years and a little of my early adulthood playing as a goalkeeper and the current balls are easy to catch when it is a simple catch. However, due to how modern day footballs are, they swerve a lot when hit with plenty of power from range. That does makes it harder for keepers to catch it.
I also get angry when keepers decide to punch rather than catch especially when it is a straight forward catch such as from a cross or set piece. I understand if it is a Ronaldo thunderbolt from 30 yards but simple shots straight at the body should be caught. I was coached by a guy called Pete Wilson when I was a kid/teenager and he always hated punching. He always preached to us to catch as much as we could and only punch when we had to. He was the Leicester City goalkeeping coach at the time when he coached me for about 8 years and he was a great guy. He unfortunately died shortly after I gave up football the first time.