Changing Football: How New Rules Will Change The Way Football Is Played

Making the punishment more appropriate to the crime, by giving free-kicks instead of penalties for these types of fouls in the box, will empower the supporters of the physical means.

Center backs can step up and challenge without the constant fear of taking the penalty for minimal contact. We will probably see more front feet and aggressive defending against forwards receiving the ball at their backs in goal, which will make it difficult to play. In wider areas, defenders are able to physically use players in the box.

This very aggressive style of attack against low blocks is difficult. Attacking the center and maintaining pressure for a long time in the game has the added benefit of winning penalties, which stop being the case. There could be a greater focus on wide play and crosses instead.

To change the aggressive defense of the low blocks, attacking teams tend to focus on quick, direct attacks – not allowing many players to get their own box.

From a broader perspective, we can see a decrease in goals scored. Goals from penalties often force tight-fisted defenders to come out and play. Without it, defending teams have less reason to commit to forward bodies, leading to more cautious plays.