Actually I think you're pretty much completely wrong on this

Is a gamble on the part of the taker. If the keeper doesn't buy it and stands his ground, then the taker finds himself having to take the pen with no momentum behind him, and with uncertainty over which way to go.

Makes for a weak pen, and a better chance for the keeper.

That's why most players don't do it - and why therefore there's no obvious reason to ban it.

Certainly not clear it stacks the odds in favour of the taker (if it did, more of them would be doing it).

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, May 22, 09:50:43