A&H

A couple of things to watch out for ...

RefJef

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I’ve done a fair few games now under the “new” laws and I’ve spotted a common thread that’s (nearly) caught me out a few times, so I thought I’d share my experience here.

With the new law not requiring the ball to leave the penalty area from a goal kick, a lot of teams are taking quick goal kicks and more than once I’ve been merrily trotting back into position on the half way line, only to suddenly see the ball is in play following a quick tap to an adjacent defender.

And, on a related note, on more than one occasion, in their haste to take a quick goal kick, the ball has still been rolling.

Of course, the above could have still happened under the “old” laws, but I’ve noticed a definite increase in the above this season.

Might be worth being aware of the above?
 
The Referee Store
I am yet to referee a game under new laws yet. But I was chatting to another referee who said exactly the same.
 
Yep, goal kick one is the most common one I've seen so far. Getting into position for the drop zone is a thing of the past. Much better to hang around the edge of the area tbh, never turn you back on the keeper. Agree with the ball still rolling, had that a lot of times when trying to catch the opposition unaware.
 
Getting into position for the drop zone is a thing of the past.

I sort of agree. Even when the press is on and they change to a long goal kick, they tend to switch it up. I found myself woefully out of position quite a bit in my last friendly. I think I need to be more switched on for this season thanks to the new laws. :)
 
The new take up position for goalkicks has now changed from where we where halfway in the middle of the pitch either side of the drop zone. The new position is dead centre and 10 yards infront of the centre circle ( if it looks like they are gunna play short / should take this position first).
 
I don't agree that the drop zone has necessarily changed, rather you need to be prepared to adapt. This is a problem I've seen even before the new law, in that the goal kick keeps getting played short to the right back yet the referee remains static in the "traditional" position. Some teams, especially at lower levels, won't be good enough to play out from the back so will still go long, meaning the traditional position is fine. Others will play short so referees need to judge this early doors and work out the best starting place, being ready to move quickly if it goes somewhere else.
 
Something I have noticed during the early pre-season games here is that the new GK change has also seen far fewer keeper punts (drop kick from hands) - preferring to either roll/throw out short or even pass along floor to wide full backs ... admittedly only an anecdote after 6-7 games; but got me wondering if part of the rationale for the GK change was to try and reduce the number of aerial/heading challenges at mid field - seems to have dropped off by over 50%??? Thoughts ...
 
Something I have noticed during the early pre-season games here is that the new GK change has also seen far fewer keeper punts (drop kick from hands) - preferring to either roll/throw out short or even pass along floor to wide full backs ... admittedly only an anecdote after 6-7 games; but got me wondering if part of the rationale for the GK change was to try and reduce the number of aerial/heading challenges at mid field - seems to have dropped off by over 50%??? Thoughts ...

Only in my experience so far but I agree, certainly at grassroots. A lot more playing out of the back
 
Only in my experience so far but I agree, certainly at grassroots. A lot more playing out of the back
Though bear in mind that most pitches are in exceptional condition at the moment ... early in the season and a wet Summer. Not sure teams will remain so keen to play out once the grass turns to 50% mud / 50% bobbles :rolleyes:
 
When taking up your position for the goal kick (which should be reconsidered for the new laws but I digress), one should attempt to run backwards as much as is feasible.
 
but got me wondering if part of the rationale for the GK change was to try and reduce the number of aerial/heading challenges at mid field - seems to have dropped off by over 50%??? Thoughts ...
It was not part of the rationale according to anything published by the IFAB. The only things they have referred to as a rationale for this, looking at both the Play Fair! website and the explanation in the LotG document itself, are as follows.

Play Fair! website:
Allowing defending players (including the goalkeeper) to play the ball inside the penalty area once the free kick/goal kick has been taken [...] can speed up the game, stop time-wasting and may lead to a more constructive/controlled restart rather than the current ‘long kick’.

Laws of the Game 2019/20 ('Details of all Law changes' section):
created a faster and more dynamic/constructive restart to the game.
[...]
reduced the time ‘lost/wasted’ including stopping the tactic of ‘wasting’ time when a defender deliberately plays the ball before it leaves the penalty area knowing that all that will happen is the goal kick will be retaken.
 
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