New playing rules will be trialled in the 2020 National Camogie League. The process to identify the trial rules began back in April.
It comes following widespread criticism of the sport in recent years, especially at All-Ireland final level where games regularly descended into free-taking competitions.
Proposals for permanent rules changes could be made at the 2021 Annual Congress.
In all, six areas are covered by the trial rules. The allowance of increased contact between players is the most notable change.
Contact
A player may now use minimal contact on an opponent’s body from side-on, once they are making a reasonable effort to gain possession of the ball.
Persistent Fouling
A player who is now deemed to be persistently fouling another player (two deliberate fouls) will be given a “tick” by the referee. If that player commits one more foul, it will merit a yellow card.
Quick Puck-Out
The referee will now blow the whistle once only, to signal a wide/score and from that moment the sliotar is back in play and the goalkeeper is free to restart the game via a puck-out from the correct position.
Free from the hand
A player will now have the option to take a free from their hand if they are fouled inside her own 45-metre line. Only the player that is fouled can take the free from the hand and it is an indirect free.
Dropping the Hurley and Hand-pass Goal (Rules 9.6.i. and 9.6.f)
Players will now no longer be permitted to drop the hurley intentionally.
In addition, players may no longer score a goal by hand-passing the sliotar into the net. Players may still score a point by hand-passing the ball over the bar.
Penalty and 20-metre free (Rules 11.2 and 11.3)
A penalty must be struck from on or outside the 20-metre line but not inside it. In addition, only one defending player may stand on the goal-line during a penalty and shall not move towards the 20m-metre line before the ball has been struck.
The process of training referees in the implementation of the new rules will take place over the coming weeks. There will also be workshops held for management and players in early 2020.
"These Trial Playing Rules are an important step for the Association to ensure that our game remains fit for purpose for many years to come," said Camogie Association president Kathleen Woods.
"We have listened to a range of key stakeholders involved in our game and I hope that this process will be of benefit in order for us to tweak our playing rules in the future to allow our wonderful game to continue to grow and flourish as it has done in recent years."
Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
