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Allowing a substitute player is among three rule changes for the looming Big Bash League.

Boring blow-outs in the BBL will be reduced by the new substitute player rule, Brisbane Heat coach Darren Lehmann says.

Lehmann believes the substitute player, dubbed the X-Factor and allowed for teams after 10 overs of the first innings, will be a success.

The substitute is among three new rules introduced for the looming BBL.

The six-over power play has been split, with the initial power play now four overs and the batting team to nominate the last two power play overs from the 11th over.

And the competition's points system has also been altered: in the second innings, a bonus point is on offer to the chasing team if they're ahead of their opponent's 10-over score.

If the chasing team is behind, the opponent will get the point.

Lehmann says the substitute will have an instant impact on the competition.

"We will use it a bit more than people would think," he told reporters on Monday.

"This one will be successful because it's an immediate impact on the game and ... in essence it will make the games closer.

"If you're batting first and you're four-for not many and you need an extra batter, you have to sub a bowler out which would allow you to get a bigger total.

"And vica-versa, if you're batting really well and you're none or one for 100, you could actually sub a batter out and bring in another bowler."

Lehmann hoped the new rules would be given time to settle by both players and public.

"The rule changes are there, let's see how they go," he said.

"It's to make the games closer, better.

"And it's like anything, you have just got to see how it goes over time."

The BBL starts on December 10 with a group of games in Tasmania and the ACT before moving to Queensland and South Australia later in the month.

Organisers have announced a schedule until December 31 for the initial 21 games of the 56-match season.