There is a reason rule changes are usually only introduced after a trial.
Players past and present have expressed their surprise that ‘The Mark’ will be introduced despite not being trialled in over five years.
The 'mark' was successfully trialled in 2010. Wouldn't be too afraid of this one. Simply helps to promote a key skill #congress2016
— D Clerkin (@clerkin_d) February 27, 2016
At least it was experimented with at senior intercounty level and, even if you don’t agree with it (as many don’t), it is unlikely to have detrimental effect on the game.
The problem for many is that it is likely to have no effect at all.
Joe Brolly slams introduction of the mark as 'classic GAA window-dress' https://t.co/awtfRjg1Xw
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 2, 2016
However the need to trial new rules was laid bare by Colm O’Rourke in his Sunday Independent column.
The Leinster Minor League is currently trialling a number of new rules, including the mark, preventing back-passes to goalkeepers and imposing a limit of three consecutive handpasses.
Having recently attended a match O’Rourke said there are serious problems with the last rule.
“The back pass was not an issue but three handpasses led to lots of confusion. The referee seemed to rely on players shouting at him when there was more than three and there were several cases of more than three going unchecked. Imagine if the winning score in a big game came after four handpasses?
“The referee’s competency at maths would be the first thing to be questioned. Is it that hard to figure out three passes?”
O’Rourke also highlights the potential for the new rule to be circumnavigated with a short kick pass between team-mates, which will allow the whole cycle to begin again.
However it is the potential of glaring refereeing errors that is likely to see the handpass ruled nixed.
As the game speeds up referees need more help keeping up with the play, not additional layers of rules to manage.
