The GAA has announced some rule changes which will be used on a trial basis in the 2005 Allianz National Leagues for football and hurling. GAA president Sean Kelly said the rules could become permanent if it was felt they worked well. "It is important that we continually examine ways in which we can improve our games," he said. "There are some interesting changes proposed, but they can only be properly assessed through implementing them in a competitive game scenario."
Main football experimental rule changes
1) Players will be permitted to lift the ball off the ground, scoop it up to a team-mate and/or play it on the ground when running or in a standing position. Players will also be permitted to play the ball away from the body when they are lying or sitting on the ground or on their knee(s).
2) Goalkeepers will use a plastic tee when taking kick-outs.
3) The introduction of a 'sin bin' which will see players sent to the bench for a period of 10 minutes on receipt of a yellow card.
4) Linesmen will, where possible, draw the referee's attention during play to any fouls that merit a red or yellow card, thus providing greater powers of control to the linesman. At the moment linesmen can only do this during a break in play.
5) Injured players will be removed from the field of play to the nearest point on the endline or sideline and will be permitted by the sideline official to recommence after a stoppage through the substitution zone.
6) Dangerous play and irresponsible behaviour will be more clearly defined.
The hurling changes include two points to be awarded when the ball is struck over the crossbar between the posts from a sideline puck, provided the ball is not touched while in flight by any member of the team taking the puck. |
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