Thanks for response MikeL. Not sure it provides a complete explanation for this eccentric fashion in perverse 'etiquette', as I view it; but no doubt a fair bit of truth in it.

Disagree absolutely, however, with your opinion that "the art of goalkeeping has improved greatly"; and feel qualified particularly to pronounce on this aspect as I was a goalkeeper myself way back when -- 65 or so years, in fact. I OPd a thread a while ago on how IMO goalkeeping had deteriorated since my day. Not "old man's nostalgia", honest. I am grieved that a goalkeeper is nowadays praised for a good save for stopping a shot by sticking a foot out -- absolute anathema, in my day; uncontrollable and liable to give a dangerous rebound. One was expected to get down & catch it to one's body, or handle it, if necessary, round the post -- far easier to control. One just did NOT use one's feet. Today's best goalkeepers, eg Hart, Cech, Courtois, do not ever try to go the wrong, uncontrollable, feet-first way, but tend always to get the hands to the ball, & body behind it where possible. Just watch carefully & I think you will find I am right about that.

~M~