FRC proposes six key amendments to experimental GAA rules

The Football Review Committee (FRC) has proposed six modifications to their experimental rules ahead of the final two rounds of the league.

These proposed changes were presented to the GAA’s Management Committee on Thursday and are set to be voted on by the Central Council in an online meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 13.

One key adjustment involves goalkeepers venturing into the opposition’s half. Under the proposed rule, if a goalkeeper crosses the halfway line, at least four of his teammates must remain in their own half. The existing requirement for three players to stay in the opposing half will continue to apply.

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Additionally, the enforcement of the “four back, three up” rule will be slightly relaxed. Minor or unintentional breaches — such as players crossing the halfway line by up to four metres or not interfering with play — will not be penalized.

Another revision ensures that even when a team is reduced in numbers due to dismissals, they must still maintain a minimum of three players in the opposition’s half. This change addresses inconsistencies observed in recent Allianz League games, where teams playing with fewer players were sometimes permitted to have only one or two in the opposition half.

Other elements, such as the requirement for all kick-outs to travel at least 40 metres and the use of a clock/hooter system, will remain in place. However, it is yet to be confirmed whether the clock/hooter rule will be enforced in Divisions 3 and 4 during the final two rounds of the Allianz League from March 15.

The six specific amendments are outlined below:

• A player who claims a kick-out mark can play on immediately and not be challenged for four metres. If the player is illegally challenged in that space, a free kick shall be awarded 50 metres more advantageous than the position of the original mark up to the opponents’ 13m line. There is also the option of bringing it back for a two-point free attempt outside the 40m arc;

• An advantage has accrued if a point or a goal is scored. If no advantage has accrued to the team of the player awarded the mark, the referee will signal “no advantage gained” and the ball will be taken back to the point of the mark;

• A team must have at least four players in their half of the field, which may include the goalkeeper, and at least three outfield players in the opposition half. A breach of this rule does not occur when it has been unintentional, the player(s) are within four metres of the halfway line, are not interfering with play or with an opponent or not gaining an advantage.

• The removal of the word “directly” from the definition of a two-point score being played “over the bar between the posts… kicked by a player who has at least one foot on or outside the 40m arc and without the ball having been touched by another player”.

• The removal of the three-up wording as four are now required to remain in own half and three in the opposition’s half.

• A misconduct at games infraction by a team official to cost their team a 20m free as opposed to a 13m free and the free can be brought out to the 40m arc for a two-point attempt.