Playing out from the back

[surge]

I’ve noticed this season a lot of teams using the new goal kick rule to pass it about a bit only to give it back to the keeper who then whacks it upfield!? What’s the point in that?

If they are either i) checking to see if passing out from the back is on before identifying it's well covered or ii) reminding the opposition they need to think about defending a different style then it's a good tactic. I can't imagine they're doing it for no reasons.

It's the ability to play more than one style, or at least attempt it reasonably well, that is important.