Problem with Penalties

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by EricH

And ALL of the major sports have the same sets of rules year to year, and only ONE gives point penalties in any way, shape or form. NONE of the other major sports has the same problems. What's the biggest recent rule change in football, the facemask penalty? The biggest one that really affected the game, the forward pass, was what, 60-70 years ago or more?

Now, what's the biggest rule change in FIRST? The game. When? Every January. Not like major sports at all.

Only one gives points? which one?
Basketball gives a free throw which is possible points
Hocky gives a penalty shot which is a possible point
Soccer gives a penalty shot which gives a possible point
Baseball can award extra bases which could add points
Only football does NOT give the oppertunity for scoring because of penalties and none give points outright.

Originally Posted by Jeff Waegelin

In my mind, the biggest issue with penalties is when they are used to enforce gameplay. The simplest and best games are the ones where penalties are not needed to make sure that teams play the game "the right way".

You mean like baseballs rule about the order of the bases you need to run (enforces the "right way to run the bases)?
Or Hockeys offsides (so players cannot stay on the opposing side of the ice)?
Or soccers offsides (so players cannot stay on the opposing side of the ice)?
Or basketballs 25 second clock (hurries the game)?
Or footballs formation rules (Forces a standard way of playing)?


All sports have rules to enforce gameplay, just as FIRST does.

I know people don't like penalties, but without consequences (reenalties) there is no incentive to follow the rules.

I also understand that some believe that the penalty is too harsh, but the fact is that everyone knew the rules from day 1 (Kickoff). As such you should have planned accordingly, or changed what you were doing at the event to minimize or eliminate those penalties. The "problem with penalties" is not the game, nor the penalties ... it's those that could not (or would not) adjust to how the calls are being made (much like a pitcher needs to adjust to a strikezone dispite that it is clearly defined).