The 5 substitution rule needs to stay

The five substitution rule has been around for almost a year now and here is hoping it is around for a lot longer.

The new substitution rule was introduced last year by IFAB to help clubs manage player fatigue during the congested fixtures caused by Covid. The rule allows teams to use up to five substitutes, an increase from the traditional three substitutes.

Clubs are only allowed to stop the game to make a substitution three times in the game though, this helps reduce any potential time wasting.

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Since the A-League adopted the new rule, the entertainment value has gone up and we have seen even more young players receiving game time.

Allowing extra substitutes has made the end of games even more interesting, as more fresh players enter the match and change things up. This has been especially useful for giving youth players some game time.

The perfect example of this is Alou Kuol, if you have been watching the Central Coast Mariners then you know around the 60^th minute is Kuol time. He is introduced off the bench and allowed to run at tired defences.

Five substitutions have also achieved its goal of allowing clubs to rest players when needed. Perth Glory have been able to use Diego Castro effectively from the bench, essentially extending his career and allowing us to enjoy seeing him play even longer.

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There is some reluctance to the new rule though, some people prefer the more traditional three substitutions and they do not want things to change. They are worried five is too many players to be introduced into the match and it will change how the game is played.

These are relevant points; however, they are the same points that were made when the substitution rule was originally introduced decades ago. The game of football will continue to change, and this is definitely one change that will make it better.

Feature image credit: Vision Inspired Photography