Penalty shootouts: EFL to trial 'ABBA' format in 2017-18
The "ABBA" format for penalty shootouts will be used in all English Football League competitions in 2017-18.
After an initial spot-kick, teams each take pairs of kicks in an attempt to reduce the pressure on the side taking the second kick in a shootout.
The system has already been used on a trial basis in some international tournaments by Uefa during the summer.It will be implemented in all ties in the Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and EFL play-offs.
How does it work?
As the current system stands, teams take turns in a shootout, with the choice of who goes first decided by a coin toss.
For example, team A goes first, then team B, then team A again.
The new system sees team A followed by team B - before team B goes again. Team A would then get two successive penalties, a little like the tie-break in tennis, and so on until there is a winner.
A coin will still be tossed to decide who goes first.
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40783273
