Rule changes heading into the 2019/2020 Bundesliga season
There are several rule changes that have been passed down from the International Football Association Board that will take place in the Bundesliga this season.
With numerous changes on the horizon for the new Bundesliga season, here we will outline some of the biggest and most interesting rule changes. None are ground breaking but there are several of them and they will have some impact on the game, some larger than others.
Substitutions
One of the biggest changes this season is the bench size will increase from 7 to 9 players. That will make squad selection a bit easier for trainers, Favre will now be able to bring 9 possible subs instead of only 7.
Secondly they are ridding the rule of substitutions having to leave he field at the halfway line. Instead, players will leave the field from the nearest exit point to avoid any time wasting.
Penalties
To start the 2019/2020 Bundesliga season, goalies no longer have to have both feet on the line when the kick is taken. They are now only required to be touching the line with one foot or just in line with the goal line. This is supposed to allow for a bit more leeway for the keepers to take a half step off the line.
This is hardly monitored as is, so it isn’t very likely to change much as far as penalties go.
Free Kicks
In walls consisting of three players or more, the attacking players will no longer be allowed to stand within one yard of the wall. If they are caught in the restricted area, the free kick will be forfeited and the defending team will get an indirect free kick.
This is actually a big deal for free kicks, so many teams try and put players in the wall either extending it to reduce the goalies vision or to provide an opening to smash the free kick through. Those will no longer be an option moving forward.
Goal Kicks
On goal kicks the ball is now going to be in play as soon as the kick takes place, as opposed to when it leaves the 18 yard box. Defenders will now be able to handle the ball inside the 18 yard box, allowing them to potentially play out from the box and making the first pass easier on the keeper.
Opponents are still required to be outside the 18 yard box when the kick is taken. Regardless I’m sure there will be more than a couple close calls and screw ups with the implementation of this change.
Handball
The IFAB says that a deliberate handball will remain a foul, but players will also be penalized even in case of accidental handball if the ball goes into the net after striking an attacking player’s arm, if a player gains possession using his arm before setting up/scoring a goal, if the ball touches a player’s arm which has made their body unnaturally bigger, or if the arm is above the their shoulder.
Free-kicks
The new rules concerning free-kicks states that no attacking players are allowed within 1 yard of the defensive wall. If a player is caught doing so, an indirect free-kick will be awarded.
Next. Borussia Dortmund's All-Time Best XI. dark
Coaches and support staff
Head coaches and their support staff can now be issued red or yellow cards for misconduct. In case the offender cannot be identified, the senior coach in the technical area will receive the card.