WHAT ARE THE NEW RULE CHANGES/ADDITIONS TO 2019-20 SEASON?
The rule-makers have decided upon a number of changes to the Laws of the Game – but what
are they?
The changes came into effect on June 1, 2019.
It’s not the first time that the rules of the beautiful game have been tweaked and it probably
won’t be the last as administrators continue to figure out the best way forward in a world of
changing technology.
Let’s look at the RULES that affect our youth game and our Capital City Streaks this up and
coming season.
1. FREE KICKS: NO ATTACKING PLAYERS
IN THE WALL
From next season on, we’re going to see an interesting change to the way free kicks are taken.
The IFAB has approved a rule change which prohibits attacking players – ie those from the
team on attacking from the free kick – from being in the wall.
Specifically, when there is a wall of three or more players attackers are not allowed
within one yard of it.
Any attacking player found to be less than one yard from the wall when a free kick is taken will
be penalized and the other team will be rewarded with an indirect free kick.
2. GOAL KICKS
Changes to the nature of goal kicks have altered the dynamic of restarting the game.
Previously, the ball was deemed ‘dead’ until it left the penalty area, but a new change means
that the ball is in play as soon as it is touched and it can be played inside the 18-yard box.
Early confusion around this rule led the IFAB to clarify that opposition players are still not
allowed in the box until the ball is played.
3. KICK-OFF
From 2019-20 on, the team that wins the coin toss has a choice of picking which half to attack
or to take first kick-off.
The thinking behind this rule is that many players will opt to take kick-off since a goal can be
scored directly from one.
4. YELLOW & RED CARDS FOR COACHES
In order to clamp down on difficult behavior from coaches who don’t see eye to eye with the
referee or their opposite number, officials will be able to show them yellow or red cards, in the
same way, they do with players.
If in the event of a touchline melee, for example, the offending individual cannot be identified
for punishment, the senior coach who is in the technical area will be the default recipient.
5. HANDBALL: ACCIDENTAL OFFENSES
DEEMED FREE KICKS
The IFAB has attempted to provide more clarity on the handball offense for occasions when the
offense is deemed to be ‘non-deliberate’.
Essentially, the changes will mean that there will be no goal in cases where the ball
accidentally strikes a player’s hand before crossing over the line.
Similarly, if a player has accidentally handled the ball and created an advantage or
subsequently scores, they will be penalized with a free-kick.
6. PENALTY KICKS: GOALKEEPERS MUST
HAVE AT LEAST ONE FOOT ON LINE
The issue of penalty kicks has cropped up a few times in recent years and the trend has been
towards reducing the freedom of the goalkeeper.
That hasn’t changed with the latest update to the rules, which dictate that the shotstopper must not be moving or touching the goalposts.
The new rule changes also say that the goalkeeper must have at least part of one foot on or in
line with the goal-line.
“Allowing the goalkeeper to have only one foot touching the goal line (or, if jumping, in line
with the goal line) when the penalty kick is taken is a more practical approach as it is easier to
identify if both feet are not on the line,” goes the IFAB’s explanation.
“As the kicker can ‘stutter’ in the run, it is reasonable that the goalkeeper can take one step in
anticipation of the kick.”
As well as those points, the penalty taker will now be permitted to receive a quick treatment if
necessary before taking the kick.
7. DROP BALL NO LONGER COMPETITIVE
The dropped ball is no more. Well, at least not as we know it.
If play is stopped inside the penalty area the ball will simply be dropped for the goalkeeper.
If it is stopped outside the penalty area the ball will be dropped for a player from the team that
last touched the ball. In all cases, players will have to be at least four and a half yards away.
Here’s the IFAB’s explanation: “The current dropped ball procedure often leads to a
‘manufactured’ restart which is ‘exploited’ unfairly (e.g. kicking the ball out for a throw-in deep
in the opponents’ half) or an aggressive confrontation.
“Returning the ball to the team that last played it restores what was ‘lost’ when play was
stopped, except in the penalty area where it is simpler to return the ball to the goalkeeper.
“To prevent that team gaining an unfair advantage, all players of both teams, except the player
receiving the ball, must be at least 4m (4.5 yds) away.”
8. THE REFEREE IS NO LONGER APART
OF PLAY
Previously if the Ball hit the referee and changed possession it was played on as normal. Now if
the ball hits an official (Ref) and a change of possession happens, it will now be a noncontested drop ball for the team who lost possession.
We hope this helps you for the up and coming
season.
Understanding the rules of soccer is essential for every young player hoping to develop within a competitive program. The laws that govern the game shape how athletes train, how coaches structure their sessions, and how teams approach match day. When governing bodies introduce adjustments, the changes ripple through every level of play, from recreational youth leagues to elite academy settings. Staying informed about these updates ensures that players build good habits from the start and that coaches can teach the modern game with clarity and confidence. A firm grasp of the rules also deepens a player's appreciation for the sport's structure and fairness.
One of the most talked-about adjustments in recent seasons involves the positioning of attacking players during free kicks. The change prevents offensive players from standing in the defensive wall, eliminating the kind of jostling and disruption that often slowed the game and created unnecessary conflict. By keeping the wall clear of opponents, the rule encourages cleaner set-piece execution and reduces the likelihood of delays and cautions. For young players, this means learning new positioning discipline and understanding how to create scoring chances from dead-ball situations without relying on physical interference in the wall.
The dropped ball procedure has also seen meaningful revision, moving away from contested restarts toward a simpler and fairer method. In situations where play is stopped and neither team is clearly at fault, the referee now awards the ball to the team that last had possession. This change removes the awkward scramble that often followed a contested drop and replaces it with a cleaner, more predictable restart. For youth teams, this adjustment reduces confusion and keeps the game flowing, allowing players to focus on building attacks rather than wrestling for a fifty-fifty ball after a stoppage.
Goalkeeping rules continue to evolve as well, with particular attention given to how keepers handle the ball during penalty kicks and in open play. The requirement for goalkeepers to have at least one foot on or behind the goal line when a penalty is taken has been clarified, reducing the advantage a keeper might gain by charging forward early. These refinements matter at every level of the game because they shape how young goalkeepers train their footwork, timing, and reactions. A technically sound keeper who understands the modern rulebook is better prepared for the pressures of competitive soccer.
Substitution procedures have been streamlined to improve the flow of the match and reduce time-wasting. Players leaving the field are now expected to exit at the nearest boundary line rather than making the long walk to the technical area. This small but significant change keeps the game moving and prevents teams from using substitutions as a tactic to run down the clock. For youth coaches managing rosters and rotation, the updated procedure means teaching players to exit efficiently and ensuring that substitutes are ready to enter without disrupting the rhythm of the match.
Handball interpretations have received considerable attention from rule-makers seeking greater consistency in officiating. The distinction between deliberate and accidental handling has been refined, with clearer guidance on what constitutes an unnatural position of the arm. Goals scored directly from a handball, even if accidental, are now disallowed. For developing players, understanding these nuances is critical because handball decisions can swing the outcome of tight matches. Coaches at the youth level emphasize body shape and defensive technique to help players avoid conceding unnecessary fouls in dangerous areas.
Beyond the technical rule changes, the broader philosophy behind these updates reflects a desire to make soccer faster, fairer, and more enjoyable for participants and spectators alike. The governing bodies have shown a willingness to adapt the laws in response to how the game is actually played at every level around the world. For a program rooted in player development, these changes are not merely bureaucratic footnotes but practical considerations that influence training sessions, match preparation, and the long-term growth of every young athlete who steps onto the field.
