Discussions are set to take place.

After the year that was, there’s a general understanding and acceptance that the rules of Gaelic football could do with some re-jigging. With overly defensive football taking hold and cynical play rife, a number of commentators – such as Joe Brolly and Colm Parkinson have been encouraging restrictions and rule-changes in order to combat these blots on the game.

The penny has dropped with the GAA too and they’ve outlined five proposals for rule changes – set to be discussed with players, coaches, referees and officials prior to the 2019 Football Leagues.

If approved by those involved in the discussions – the five rule changes will be trialled in the 2019 National League – where, if they’re a success, they will be implemented in the championship from 2020 onward.

The first proposal focuses on reducing rote hand-passing, the second on kicking backwards from sidelines. The third would see the introduction of a mark for balls caught between the goals and the 21 yard line. The fourth will see the sin-bin brought back – ten minutes in the bin for a black card offence, or for two yellows. The fifth relates to kickouts.

The GAA’s statement on the rule changes takes you through the technicalities here.

1 Handpass

Purpose: To introduce a restriction of three consecutive passes of the ball with the fist or open hand by players of the team in possession.

2 Sideline kick

Purpose:

That the ball shall be played in a forward direction from the kick.

Exception:

In the case of a side-line kick being taken by an attacking player on or inside the opponents’ 13m line, the ball may be kicked in any direction.

3 The Mark

Purpose: To extend the application of the Mark to the clean catching of the ball on or inside the 20m line from a kick delivered on or beyond the 45m line without it touching the ground.

In the case of a Mark being awarded to an attacking player on or inside the 20m line, the free, if availed of, shall be taken from the point on the 20m line directly in line where the Mark is awarded.

In the case of a Mark being awarded to a defending player on or inside the 20m line, the free kick, if availed of, shall be taken from the point where the Mark is awarded.

Mark as is known now is standardised as follows:

• Up to 15 seconds shall be allowed for a free to be taken from a Mark.
• If the Referee determines that the player who makes the Mark has been injured in the process and unable to take the kick, the Referee shall direct the player’s nearest team mate to take the kick.
• A score may be made from a free awarded for a Mark.
• The normal Rules governing free-kicks shall apply (e.g. players being 13m from the ball before it is kicked).

Exceptions:

A free-kick from a Mark shall be taken from the hand(s) only.

If a player opts to ‘play on’ when awarded a Mark, he may be challenged i.e. provisions (b) (i) and (ii) of the current Mark Rule shall not apply during the experimentation.

4 Sin-bin

The Penalty on the day for a Black Card Infraction or two Yellow Card Infractions – an ordering off for ten minutes in a Sin Bin.

A subsequent Black Card Infraction shall be penalised by the showing of a Black Card followed by a Red Card. A subsequent Yellow Card Infraction shall be penalised by the showing of a Yellow Card followed by a Red Card. In either case there shall be no substitution allowed.

The maximum number of substitutions in normal time to return to five.

The Duties of a Referee and Sideline Official to be amended in accordance with this Proposal.

5 Kickout/Zoning

Purpose: For a kick-out, two players only from each team shall be positioned between the two 45m lines.

The goalkeeper and a maximum of six players from each team shall be behind the respective 45m lines, until the ball is kicked.

The ball from the kick-out shall travel beyond the 45m line before being played by a player of the defending team.

Penalty called because of…

(1) For another player on the team taking a kick-out to play the ball before it has travelled outside the 45m line or has been played by an opposing player.

Choice of penalties enforced…

(i) Cancel kick-out

(ii) Throw in the ball on defenders’ 20m line in front of the scoring space.

Penalty called because of…

(2) For a player to cross a 45m line before the ball is kicked for the kick-out.

(3) For a player(s) to, in the opinion of the referee, deliberately seek to delay the kick-out by not retreating behind the 45m lines in a timely manner.

Choice of penalties enforced…

A 45m free off the ground and in front of the scoring space shall be awarded to the opposing team.

(4) For a player(s) of each team to simultaneously cross the 45m line(s) before the ball is kicked from the kick-out:

Penalty:

A throw-in ball shall be awarded on the centre of the 45m line involved or at the centre of the field (if infringements are made on both 45m lines).

The FootballJOE quiz: Were you paying attention? – episode 10