Aydın Tiryaki (2026)

In the decisive moments of football, specifically during penalty kicks, pitch conditions can sometimes create an undesired disadvantage for the player. As matches progress, the fixed white spot at 11 meters often deteriorates and becomes pitted due to wear.

Under the current rules, the player is forced to place the ball on this deformed surface. However, from an Engineer’s perspective, the solution is simple: Instead of a fixed point, use a circle of a specific diameter to grant the player the “right to choose clean ground.”

Here, I present the “Penalty Circle” proposal, which solves the pitch problem and adds a strategic dimension to the game.

Current Situation and Reference Analysis

First, let us clarify the existing constants:

• Penalty Distance: The spot is located 11 meters (1100 cm) from the goal line.
• Ball Position: A standard football has a diameter of 22 cm (radius 11 cm). When placed on the current spot, the front face of the ball is already 11 cm closer to the goal (at 1089 cm).

The Proposal: A 1-Meter Diameter Penalty Circle

My proposal is as follows: A circle with a 1-meter diameter (50 cm radius) should be drawn on the ground, centered on the existing 11-meter mark.

According to the “projection” principle in football rules, it is sufficient for the ball to touch the outer line of this circle for the kick to be valid.

Engineering Calculation: Net 61 cm Advantage

Let us calculate the real (net) distance advantage the player gains with this new system:

1. Proposed Position: If the player places the ball on the very front edge of the circle (via projection); 50 cm circle radius + 22 cm ball diameter means the ball is 72 cm forward from the center.
2. Current Position: In the current system, the ball is already 11 cm (its radius) forward from the center.
3. Net Difference: 72 cm – 11 cm = 61 cm.

In conclusion, this proposal gives the player the opportunity to place the ball net 61 cm closer compared to the status quo. This creates a split-second but critical difference in the goalkeeper’s reaction time.

Strategic Flexibility

This 61 cm net advantage is not just about distance; it is a matter of strategic preference:

• Power Kickers: Can utilize this advantage to shorten the distance (down to ~10.28 meters) and leave the goalkeeper helpless with a hard strike.
• Technical Kickers: Can place the ball at the back of the circle to increase the distance, gaining the necessary flight path to apply curve or dip (top spin) to the ball.
• Angle Seekers: Can place the ball not in the center but on the far right or left edge of the circle to alter the shooting angle.

Conclusion: Choice, Not Chance

The “Penalty Circle” proposal liberates the football player from being condemned to a deteriorated penalty spot. It offers the freedom to find clean ground within a 1-meter area and to determine a position based on their own shooting style (forward, backward, or lateral).

It is time for football to offer a geometric “right of choice” rather than rigid rules.

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A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)