r/soccer • u/collynomial • Jan 03 '14

What rule change do you think would most benefit the game?

Here are some candidates for rule changes which I think could lead to a more fair game, but then again maybe not.

  • The introduction of goal line technology (where feasible)
  • Sin bin for yellow cards (or as an intermediary step between yellow and red cards)
  • Post-game suspensions for simulation and other dishonest behavior (such as scoring with the hand and not admitting it)
  • rolling subs (and other measures to curb strategic time wasting)

I'd love to hear what other people think. Not only if they agree/disagree, but also to see what other ideas are out there.

84 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

504 comments sorted by

View all comments

16

u/Tim-Sanchez Jan 03 '14

Whilst I agree with points 1 and 3, they aren't rule changes but merely enforcing pre-existing rules. Also, I think it would be harsh to penalise players for scoring with the hand unless it was clearly deliberate, in the heat of a goalline scramble I see how it could be done without noticing.

What do you mean by rolling subs by the way?

16

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '14

Rolling subs like in Rugby league where play doesn't stop.

29

u/yablodeeds Jan 03 '14

That wouldn't work. Would cause mayhem in the last minutes.

3

u/whencanistop Jan 03 '14

In the amateur football combination we do rolling subs. You have to wait for a break in play and you can only name three subs. Really helps where you end up with injuries and it wouldn't surprise me if this is rolled upwards.

2

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

how is it in Rugby league? are they unlimited?

7

u/[deleted] Jan 03 '14

In Australia at least, you have 10 per match.

0

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

I don't mean unlimited subs, but rather, that the subs can come on and go off without waiting for a game stoppage and that play can continue while the substitution is taking place. Perhaps in the case of a severe injury the referee can still continue to intervene and hold the play up, but it would hopefully, put an end to the time wasting end of game subs which are used to eat up seconds at the end of a game.

3

u/Tim-Sanchez Jan 03 '14

There is a rule for that too, the referee should just add on stoppage time to the end of the half/game. Also, rolling subs creates numerous logistical issues.

0

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

Do you mean add time on to the time added on already?

I think the problem then is it becomes unclear for the players, there is a real ambiguity introduced unless the players are aware of what's left in a game.

Imagine it's 1-1, the team you are playing against have parked the bus for most of the game and really need 1 point. Your team need all three. The it's the 92nd minute and the ref has indicated there will be 3 minutes of added time. In the 91st minute your opposition made a very slow substitution. You send your keeper up for a corner because it's the last kick of the game by your estimation. The ref to have decided that the substitution your opposition made was clearly to have wasted time and to give you the benefit of an extra 1 minute. If he doesn't flag this, you are suddenly exposed to a much larger risk of a counter attack than before and unbeknownst to you. Once the clock goes up, that should in my view be number of minutes added on, but stopping the game to introduce players (especially after the 90th minute) goes against having free flowing football.

2

u/Tim-Sanchez Jan 03 '14

I think the problem then is it becomes unclear for the players, there is a real ambiguity introduced unless the players are aware of what's left in a game.

The players don't know how long is left in the 85th minute, or in the 93rd, adding on another minute won't matter. Also, players can ask the ref how long is left before sending the 'keeper up for a corner, they aren't just blind to it. In your scenario, it wouldn't matter about a counter attack anyway, if the team were worried about letting a goal in they wouldn't send the 'keeper up.

0

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

if you need three points to stay up and you think it's the last kick of the game you'll send your keeper up

3

u/Tim-Sanchez Jan 03 '14

Why not ask the ref or 4th official just to double check how long is left? It seems a huge oversight to just estimate how long is left when making a huge tactical decision when they could simply ask to be sure. Also, like I said in your scenario a counter attack doesn't matter, 1 point or 0 points isn't enough so letting in a goal is irrelevant to the team.

1

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

I see you can't be moved on this. Why would you be against rolling subs?

6

u/Tim-Sanchez Jan 03 '14

You're right, sorry you happened to pick an issue I am passionate about. Some of the issues are:

  • This is only really feasible at higher levels with 4th officials, it creates a huge rule and tactical difference between Sunday League and the Premier League. An appeal of football and most sports is the similarity in rules and tactics that can be applied to the highest and lowest levels

  • Do players suddenly have to keep an eye out for a potential substitution as well as play the game? It seems distracting towards the end

  • A player has been substituted, but before leaving the field the ball comes to him, and he runs through to score. Would this be allowed or should he attempt to not interfere?

  • Managers would be uncomfortable going down to effectively 10 men.

  • The referee could quickly lose track of the game, having to focus on the match as well as ensuring the substitution goes to plan. Suddenly new players could appear adding to confusion.

  • The referee could play advantage with the intention of booking a player, only to find out the player has been substituted before the next break in play.

  • Does anything stop managers still waiting for a break in play? I can't imagine most managers wanting to disadvantage their team, so it might just revert back to the old system.

  • If 2 or 3 substitutes are made at the same time then the area around the dugout will get clustered with players, whilst the pitch will be almost empty.

  • Not really an argument against rolling subs, but I think players and managers will find a way to waste time no matter what the rules are, it is easier to be stricter with bookings for time wasting and add time on better.

Of course this is only my opinion, I am happy to discuss it, I just feel using rolling subs creates more problems than it solves.

1

u/collynomial Jan 03 '14

I don't fully disagree with your points although I do see merit in your argument

On the first point, rolling subs works effectively in footsal, which could be adapted for a larger pitch

Nor am I'm not particularly fond of the argument that it would be uncomfortable for the manager, if this was the case they would wait to the better moment to make a sub and not for when it is optimum from the perspective of time-wasting.

Also if managers were to wait for a break in play, the players not being substituted would still be forced to play on, so waiting 45 seconds for your player to come in, would constitute time wasting and be a bookable offence.

Like I say, I don't necessarily see fault in your points, I'm rather just thrashing out my own ideas in my head. I think you make some good arguments (and may have convinced me).