An idiots guide to the new laws of the game before the A-League becomes the first Australian competition to implement them

All eyes will be on Adelaide United and Sydney FC and how their bosses Gertjan Verbeek and Steve Corica adapt their tactics to new rule changes when they kick of the A-League season on Friday night. The International Football Association Board — the body which determines the Laws of the Game — in March approved three major changes after two years of worldwide experiments. Competitions could have used the new rules from June but Australia hasn’t had a chance due to most of its leagues and competitions such as the FFA Cup starting before the changes were implemented. The A-League is the first Australian competition to introduce the law changes which should see coaches — as seen in Europe’s better leagues — freshen up their game plans, particularly from goal kicks. At goal kicks — and free kicks for the defending team in their own penalty area — the ball is in play as soon as it is kicked and moves which means the ball does not have to leave the penalty The rule has already seen possession-loving teams like Juventus of Italy play the ball out of defence with a narrower strategy. Juventus players now wait outside the six yard box to receive the first pass out of defence. area. However, the attacking team must be outside the penalty area before the kick is taken unless the defending team decides to play the ball quicker than the attackers can exit the box. Another change sees match officials no longer become a live part of the game if the ball hits them — even by accident for a goal or if it changes team possession or it starts a promising attack. In these cases the referee will restart play with a drop ball. Others include clearer wording for ‘handball’ and attacking team players must stand at least 1m away from a defensive ‘wall’ which comprises of 3 or more players. Reference to deliberate handball for intent has been changed to handball offence. And the introduction of yellow and red cards for misconduct by team officials in the technical area is also refreshing. Another change is a player being substituted will be asked to leave the field at the nearest point on the boundary line which should speed up the substitution process.