For 2019-20, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) introduced a new rule allowing goalkeepers to pass the ball to teammates inside the penalty area via goal kicks, as they were previously only allowed to pass outside the penalty area. area.
At the time, the body said this change would result in “a faster, more dynamic and constructive restart of play” that would “reduce time lost or wasted”, suggesting it would reduce defenders’ time wasted by playing the ball earlier. that it arrives. leaves the area, knowing that this would result in the goal kick being retaken.
The rule was buried among several other changes, suggesting lawmakers may not have anticipated the impact it would have.
But since then goal kicks have become increasingly shorter, and it is now common to see two centre-backs alongside the goalkeeper inside their own area preparing to build an attack.
This is happening even in the lower tiers of English football: the number of goal kicks ending in their own half in the Championship is now approximately the same as in the Premier League.
“The coaches have recognized that they can use the opposition’s enthusiasm against them,” former Manchester City goalkeeper Karen Bardsley told BBC Sport.
“This can be done by using deeper starting positions of the centre-backs, full-backs or midfielders.
“Thanks to the rule change around goal kicks, we have started to see these passes in the box to try to attract pressure from the opposition; there may be many, or perhaps just a few, to attract opposing players to an area.” one side, or commit more players even higher up.
“Furthermore, in response to the high-pressure approach, some teams are allowing players to stay high up in the opposition’s defensive line, forcing the opposition midfield to make a decision.”
