See below for an in-depth explanation of the new playing rules that will be adopted after being voted through at the GAA’s Special Congress in October, ahead of the first round of the 2020 Allianz Football League this weekend.
Mark (1), Rule 2.12 (ii)
When a player cleanly receives the ball on or inside a 45m line from a kick-in play (not a set-play) delivered by an attacking player on or beyond the other team’s 45m line, the ball travels at least 20m without touching the ground.
1: The Referee will blow his whistle to award the Mark, and the Player will indicate to the Referee if he is taking advantage of the free kick by instantly raising his arm upright and taking the kick himself from the hands. The free kick shall be taken from the place where the Mark is granted unless the Mark is awarded to an attacking team inside a 13m line, in which case the free kick shall be taken from the position on the 13m line immediately in line with the Mark.
2: The following rules apply to all marks (the advance mark and the kick-out fault): the Player will now have 15 seconds to take the Mark (it was 5 seconds previously). The opposing team must retire 13 meters (it was 10m previously).
3: A player who claims the Mark is unable to continue playing.
4: Play on right away: If the Player chooses to play on right away, he may not be challenged for the ball until he takes up to four consecutive steps with the ball or holds the ball for no more than the time it takes to take four steps, and performs one act of kicking, hand-passing, bouncing, or toe-tapping the ball. 2.12 R (b).
5: A free will be awarded to the attacking Player if a player who has won a mark and chooses to play immediately is illegally challenged. It’s worth mentioning that if he’s fouled in the square, the attacking side will be awarded a penalty.
6: Players will not be able to claim an Advanced Mark from the free-kick that follows the awarding of a Kick-out Mark since it is regarded as a “set play” under the rules.
7: If the Referee finds that the Player who makes the Mark has been wounded and cannot take the kick, the Referee may direct the Player’s nearest teammate to take the lift, but only in extraordinary circumstances.
1: A player who has been black-carded spends 10 minutes in the Sin Bin. Sin Bin’s timer will start ticking when the game restarts after the Player has been dismissed.
2: After the 10-minute time limit has expired, a player may only return to the field during a break in play and with the Referee’s consent.
If a player returns to the field of play without the Referee’s permission, he will be dealt with under Rule 6.1, which states that he must “question the authority of the Referee, linesman, or side-line official.”
Yellow Card is the penalty. (In effect, the Player would be dismissed because a black card followed by a yellow card results in a red card.)
3: If a goalie receives a red card, it is up to the appropriate team management to decide how to handle the situation, such as using a substitute or an outfield player (Note: if an outfield player is selected, he must wear a distinctive top if he wishes to avail of the protection provided to goalkeepers as per rule).
4: A player in the sin bin at the end of extra time and has served his 10-minute suspension but has not returned to the game (due to a lack of a break in play) is allowed to participate in the penalty shoot-out.
5: If a player commits another aggressive infraction while in the Sin Bin, the Referee will give him the appropriate card, he will be sent off, and he will not be able to return to the game.
1: The kick-off should be taken from the 20-yard line, the center point, and the ground.
2: You can’t kick the ball backward.
3: Until the ball is kicked, all players must remain outside the 20-meter line, the semi-circle, and 13 meters away from it.
4: Before being played by another defensive team member, the ball must travel at least 13 meters and outside the 20-meter line.
5: If the goalie is not taking the kick-out, he must remain within the narrow rectangle, while all other players must be outside the 20-meter line and 13 meters away from the ball.