Goalkeeper height increase in the international scenario for the last 90 years and an analysis of a simulated goal size increase

Abstract

First, a non-local and elite goalkeeper-specic study on height change over time is presented. This study can be seen as an element and contribution to the discussion on extending the goal posts and crossbar in association football. The internationality and player quality characteristic of the study is based on the analysis of past FIFA World Cup goalkeeping squads, which is the only truly top-level and international tournament for more than 50 years. Second, the study analysed whether the game and its fairness would be enhanced by increasing the chances of scoring as a result of increasing the goal size; this is done through the denition of two measures and the evaluation of the past World Cups, as well. The results are positive; nonetheless, it is discussed that any goal frame change would have to be subjected to more analysis because decreasing too much, the unpredictability of football could be as negative as many matches dened by penalty kicks, or many matches nishing 0-0.