In 1992, the backpass rule was brought in by soccer lawmakers IFAB - and inadvertantly changed one player’s career.

Introduced to discourage time-wasting, the rule dictates that a goalkeeper cannot handle the ball following an intentional pass from a teammate, made using the foot. 

It had a significant effect on the role of the goalkeeper and how they are coached, both technically and tactically.

More specifically, it made a direct impact on Lisa Cole. Now director of goalkeeping at United Soccer Coaches, Cole began her playing career as an outfielder.

“I’m actually a goalkeeper because of the rule change,” she told Women’s Soccer Coaching.