Can someone explain the new square ball rule. Was it totally scrapped? Does a player have to be outside the box when the ball was delivered? How many players are allowed inside the box? Is the same for hurling and football, club and county? When is the new rule coming into force?
Whatever the details, it is seems to me it has potential to be a major change to the games, can't understand why there isn't a debate on it here?

onlyhurling (Galway) - Posts: 800 - 14/04/2012 18:38:39    1151830

The rule is now that an attacking player can only enter the small parallelogram after the ball has been delivered - i think that's the way it was up until a few years ago.

I know it applies to football at all levels, although not sure if it is being implemented at all levels immediately. dont know if the rule has changed for hurling.

Glad to see some action has been taken after some of the incidents witnessed over the last couple of years.

Would like a sweeping statement from the GAA clarifying the rule and the extent of its implementation as too often, particularly at club level, the referee simply doesn't know the rule. Would like to see COMPETENT umpires being given the task of calling it too!!

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5324 - 14/04/2012 19:21:37    1151872

i always understood the rule was you couldn't be in the small square before the ball, and not before the ball was kicked.

Gammy_Knee (USA) - Posts: 1482 - 14/04/2012 19:29:23    1151878

gammy knee

thats certainly the way it was recently, although i seem to remember it being different in the 80s and 90s, though i could be wrong on that one.

anyway, from now on it seems that the rule is that you can be in before the ball, but not before it is delivered

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5324 - 14/04/2012 19:34:37    1151882

Yeah, that's how the rule has changed. You can now enter the square once the ball is passed (either from the hand or foot) rather than waiting for it to enter the square before you. However the change is only from open play. The rule regarding the ball being in before you will still be in operation for frees, 50's and sideline balls.

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 14/04/2012 19:41:45    1151896

Basically it used to be that you couldn't be in the square before the ball, now its that you can't be in the square before the ball is delivered (kicked/handpassed, etc.)
Doesn't affect hurling.

Idea I suppose is to make it easier to judge, God help the goalies tho.

game.on.now.ger (Galway) - Posts: 423 - 14/04/2012 19:44:24    1151898

Why don't they just abollish the rule completely?

It is very differcult to ref.
There are too many incorrect calls made on it. It breaks your heart when you score a perfectly legal when it is disallowed for squre ball.
It can potentialy end your season when there is an incorrect decision given.(Benny Coulter AI semi 2010)

seamusmac (Meath) - Posts: 379 - 14/04/2012 20:09:23    1151927

when does/ did the rules change on the square ball change ?

Gammy_Knee (USA) - Posts: 1482 - 14/04/2012 20:18:33    1151935