New GAA playing rules come into effect from this weekend

So two weeks later than scheduled and still in the throes of the Allianz Leagues the new GAA playing rule changes come into force from this weekend – across all grades of competition.

Not that they’ll need much of an introduction.

Despite 2015 being a playing rule-change Congress (allowed only every five years, with the exception of special rule-changing committees) the number of such motions which successfully attained the required two-thirds majority was surprisingly few: 11, in total – two of which (a yellow card not now carrying over into extra-time, and referee’s right to consult with a neutral linesman on the validity of a score) will apply to both football and hurling.

Indeed the only major changes came from the Hurling 2020 proposals, including the new rule to allow only one defender (the goalkeeper) to stand on the line for a penalty.

This was already tested without any great teething problems in the pre-season hurling tournaments. There will also be the introduction of the “advantage” rule in hurling, effectively identical to that introduced in football this time last year, as a result of the Football Review Committee’s proposals.

“Normally, yes, changes made at Congress do come into effect after four weeks,” explained Feargal McGill, the GAA’s head of games administration and player welfare.

“In this case, Central Council decided to defer it for another couple of weeks, as is their right.

“The only reason for that was to allow for the full and proper education of players, managers and referees. By now every county board and club will have been contacted outlining exactly what the changes are about, and we’d certainly be expecting a smooth transition.

"In the case of the new penalty rule in hurling, I think everyone is familiar with that by now. And the same with the advantage rule in hurling, given it is essentially identical to what now operates in football." Five seconds

This advantage rule, as in football, allows for the referee to continue play for up to five seconds after a foul; if no advantage accrues during that five seconds he may subsequently award a free puck for the foul.

No advantage accruing would include such instances of a pass going astray, another player moving in to tackle as soon as the fouled player gets away from the initial foul, a shot taken within the five seconds which goes wide or is saved by the goalkeeper, etc.

The only change in football (along with the yellow card/validity of a score) is the amendment to rule 2.3/4.16: “If a defending player(s) fouls at a penalty kick situation before the ball is kicked and a goal does not result, the referee shall give the penalty taker the option of re-taking the penalty kick or of having a point scored to stand.”

Congress, which took place at the end of February, was presented with various motions aimed at restricting the hand-pass in football: none of these was successful. (One was withdrawn, the other two defeated, 27-73 and 40-60.) Technichal fouls Another of the changes in hurling concerns free pucks for technical fouls committed inside the large rectangle and awarded on the centre point of the 20m line: "a maximum of five players may stand on the goal-line and may not move forward until the ball has been struck. The player taking the free puck may place the ball up to 7m back from the 20m line and within the arc but must strike it on or outside the 20m line".

Meanwhile consultation continues on the GAA’s working group proposals to condense the club season into the calendar year, part of which would mean moving the All-Ireland finals a week forward.

The proposed document, first presented in January, is being considered for a two-year trial, starting in 2016, which means it won’t any immediate impact of club or championship fixtures for this year.

“These proposals represent a very big decision for the entire Association, and for that reason certainly won’t be rushed through,” explained McGill, who was also part of the working group that included former GAA president Liam O’Neill, director Paraic Duffy, and GPA chairman Donal Óg Cusack.

“It does involve a length consultation process. We’ve already been to three of the provincial councils, seeking feedback, and will be visiting the fourth, Ulster, next week. The task now is to firstly indentify the concerns or potential problems with the calendar year, and then to work out how to best address them. So far much of the feedback has been positive, but it will be a long-term consultation process, again given the changes will impact on the entire Association.”