The Central Council of the GAA voted this weekend to introduce a spate of experimental rules to the game. Depending on their success they will then be voted on at Annual Congress 2010 in County Down.
- When a player is in possession of the ball it may be struck with an open hand or a fist provided there is a definitive striking action (the current rule just allows for striking with the fist).
- Introduction of a free kick (or mark) for catching a kick-out between the two 45 metre lines. Free kick must be taken by the player who catches the ball.
- The rule governing the bounce is redefined – there will be no foul unless the ball is caught. That appears to suggest that a player may bounce the ball more than once as long as the ball is not caught.
- The square ball rule is to be altered greatly. An attacking player can now enter the small rectangle before the ball. There are three exceptions: a player cannot be in the square before the ball if from a sideline kick, a free-kick or a 45.
- Statistics show that fewer penalties are being scored. Therefore it is proposed that the penalty kick be moved forward from the 13 metre line to 11 metres from goal.
- To speed up play it is proposed that all kick-outs be taken from the 13 metre line.
- To provide more clarity to the advantage rule, referees shall use clearly defined signals to indicate that the foul has been seen and is playing advantage.
- It was thought that players are getting charged while picking up the ball. To refine the rule and add protection, instead of a fair charge definition using the words ‘side to side’, the rule should refer to a ‘shoulder to shoulder’ charge.
- Topical in view of the controversy during the Cork and Tyrone match and borrowing a rule from rugby, it is suggested that after the full time whistle comes after the expiration of added time when the ball next crosses any boundary line.
There are also 7 rule changes proposed for Hurling, which you can read about here