The GAA have confirmed details of a number of experimental rule changes which will be introduced in both hurling and football over the coming months. The experimental football rules will be introduced in games played in the O'Byrne Cup, Connacht FBD League, the Mc Grath Cup and the Allianz National Football Leagues while the hurling changes will be tested in the National Hurling Leagues. The changes have arisen as part of an examination of the rules of the games carried out by the Football and Hurling Task Forces.

The main changes to the football playing rules which will be implemented for these competitions are: -

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 are 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 in Rule 5 ("Aggressive fouls")


The hurling changes will also see the introduction of the sin bin, greater powers for Linesmen, the removal and reintroduction of injured players at the nearest point on the sideline and clearer definitions of dangerous play and irresponsible behaviour.

The changes also 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 sideline puck