football

GAA to trial experimental kick-out and free-kick rules

22 May 2023 - 10:00AM

Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton takes a kick-out during the Leinster GAA Football Senior Championship Final match between Dublin and Louth at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile.

The GAA will trial alternative rules relating to the kick-out, free-kicks, sideline kicks, and free kicks awarded for a mark during the forthcoming Higher Education Freshers 1 hurling competition later this year.

The proposed trial rule relating the kick-out would require it to travel beyond the near 45 yard line before a team-mate of the goalkeeper who kicked it could play the ball.

The proposed ruled relating to free-kicks, sideline kicks, and free kicks awarded for a mark would prohibit players from kicking the ball backwards between the two 20 metre lines.

The two proposed trial playing rules can be read in full below.

Proposed Playing Rules for Trialling in H.E. Freshers 1 Football and Hurling Competitions 2023

Gaelic Football Playing Rules:

1. Kick-Out in Football to Travel Outside the near 45m. Line.

(i) Amend Rule 2.7 (a), Set Play (Football) to read:

"The ball shall travel outside the near 45m. line before being played by another player of the defending team".

(ii) Amend Rule 4.29 -Technical Fouls (Football) to read:

"For another player on the team taking a kick-out to play the ball before it has travelled outside the near 45m line".

Penalty

(i) Cancel kick-out

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

2. Prohibition on Playing a Free Kick, Side-line Kick or Free Kick awarded for a Mark backwards between the two 20m.lines.