Last week I received an email in which I was asked what I think about the new rules which will be possibly implemented; I pick out four of them.
Goalkeeper can not throw the ball directly to the opponents half: I’m curious how the less developed countries will solve this > building up from their own half. It won’t be easy but I hope they will think about how to get out while being under pressure. And the funny thing is that we had this rule before and now they want to bring it back, why?
Powerplay: this has been discussed for years. Some people/countries don’t like the fact that you can bring in an extra player, even when you are ahead 5-0. Or that a coach can use it to disorganize the opponent. Or playing the whole game powerplay. The rule that only the team that is behind is allowed to play powerplay, is strange in my opinion. Example: when the opponent scores 1-0 in the first minute, you can start playing powerplay? Or what if the score is even and you must win, can you play powerplay then? I would suggest the rule that you can only play powerplay in the last five minutes of each half; clear.
Throw in instead of shoot in: also here I ask myself what is the surplus value? The position of the players will stay the same. The lob at a corner kick in will disappear and will be thrown in high with the hands; maybe it’s even more dangerous as there will be more duels in the air with the heads? This must be an idea brought in by countries who think they have benefit of this.
Penalties: five instead of three. This is a good rule and we had that before, I still don’t know why they reversed this rule.
Conclusion for me is that I would prefer uniform rules and not make big chances every four years.