Rule changes for hurling

[johnnycool]

Munster Council will never agree to anything like that. It's a bit like Ulster football, years of complaining about the easy path Kerry would have to Croke Park while simultaneously refusing to consider any format changes. It's hard to give up the golden goose

Oh, I know.

They've become accustomed to the revenue generated by the current format and it would need a big sell to get them to relinquish that.

[johnnycool]

steps ref

For once I agree with Patrick Horgan. Force the 4 steps rule and a lot of the pulling and dragging can be eliminated indirectly.

[Captain Scarlet]

Hurling is MANLY but what about a sneaky slap on a lad's hand when he has the ball is scummy behaviour.
Lads being blatantly pushed in the back when going down on the ball or in general play is not manly.

You don't see big shoulders, etc as much nowadays as the game is played on the edges of contact.

Let's be honest too, the snobby element of the sport don't want the lower tier counties getting too much of a slice.

[johnnycool]

Not sure I agree with much of what is being proposed:

Experimental hurling rules to ban consecutive hand-passes and allow six steps
Two-point sideline cuts,
puck-outs that must clear the 45, a change to where a 65 will be taken from and the return of the maor foirne also feature in the experimental rules
During the trial games, a player will be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
During the trial games, a player will be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 - 08:58
John Fogarty

Teams will not be permitted to complete two consecutive hand-passes as part of the experimental rule changes that operate in the third level Division 1 league games later this year.

A hand-pass or attempted hand-pass by a player having received a hand-pass from a team-mate will be considered a technical foul and a free from where it was committed.

The hand-pass rule, which is defined as a definite striking action of a hand, will be updated to include "a clear and definite striking action of a hand".

According to John Meyler's hurling expert body who have recommended the changes, the "onus is now on the player to ensure the handpass is struck with a clear and definite action of the hand. If there is any doubt in the mind of the referee or the line umpire, a free should be awarded against the player."


A player will also be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps.

The tackle has also been redefined to prevent players from holding an opponent with their arm as well as their hand.

Throw-ins will take place between one player from each team as is the case in Gaelic football. A second player from each team shall stand on opposite sidelines of the halfway line and swap in the second half. All other players must remain in their respective positions behind the 45-metre lines.

All other throw-ins will be contested by a player from each side with all other players having to remain 13m away from the contest. Those competing in the throw-in must clash for the ball with a ground stroke and failure to do so will result in a free.

All puck-outs must clear the 45m line before the defending team can touch the ball and three players from each team must remain between the 45m and 21m lines. Puck-outs can't be taken until the referee has blown their whistle.

The 65 has been altered to be taken from the defending 65m line as opposed to the one inside the attacking half of the field, an increase of 10m. Two points will be awarded for sideline cuts that are struck over the crossbar providing no other player from the attacking team has touched the ball.

The criteria for cynically denying a goalscoring opportunity has been updated to include a body collide when the opponent has played the ball away or taking the opponent out of the movement of play, to deliberately pull a jersey or to deliberately prevent or restrict an opponent from moving on from playing the ball by holding up an opponent or an attempt to do so. In such cases, a yellow or red card shall be shown instead of a black.

An advantage rule change will allow a team whose player has been fouled during the five-second advantage period to take a free from the location of the initial foul or any thereafter. Those five seconds can be extended by the referee to allow for a score attempt taken in that timeframe.

If the team who have earned the advantage have committed a foul during the period, that side will retain the initial advantage. The referee shall deal with the second infringement independent of it.

The hurling expert review group also allow for the return of the maor foirne (running selector). They can be permitted to enter the field of play but only during breaks in play. Any other incursion will be considered unauthorised.

Line umpires (linesmen) will be empowered to act as assistant referees, each operating one half of the pitch with each umpire patrolling the endline to the halfway line on alternate sides of the pitch.

Line umpires will bring to the attention of referees "any instances of foul play" and indicate it by raising their flag.

From the Cork Examiner.

I think we're going to make a mess of the game, in particular the steps being increased to 6 officially.

It's already about 6 steps FFS.

Also, someone doesn't know that pitch lengths vary and can be from 130 metres (so no material difference) to 145 metres which would mean a 15 metre additional length.

Just change the core of the ball FFS.

[Saffron_sam20]

Not sure I agree with much of what is being proposed:

Experimental hurling rules to ban consecutive hand-passes and allow six steps
Two-point sideline cuts,
puck-outs that must clear the 45, a change to where a 65 will be taken from and the return of the maor foirne also feature in the experimental rules
During the trial games, a player will be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
During the trial games, a player will be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps. Pic: Tom Beary/Sportsfile

Wed, 09 Sep, 2026 - 08:58
John Fogarty

Teams will not be permitted to complete two consecutive hand-passes as part of the experimental rule changes that operate in the third level Division 1 league games later this year.

A hand-pass or attempted hand-pass by a player having received a hand-pass from a team-mate will be considered a technical foul and a free from where it was committed.

The hand-pass rule, which is defined as a definite striking action of a hand, will be updated to include "a clear and definite striking action of a hand".

According to John Meyler's hurling expert body who have recommended the changes, the "onus is now on the player to ensure the handpass is struck with a clear and definite action of the hand. If there is any doubt in the mind of the referee or the line umpire, a free should be awarded against the player."


A player will also be permitted to carry the ball in hand for a maximum of six consecutive steps, two more than previously, or to hold the ball for no longer than the time needed to take six steps.

The tackle has also been redefined to prevent players from holding an opponent with their arm as well as their hand.

Throw-ins will take place between one player from each team as is the case in Gaelic football. A second player from each team shall stand on opposite sidelines of the halfway line and swap in the second half. All other players must remain in their respective positions behind the 45-metre lines.

All other throw-ins will be contested by a player from each side with all other players having to remain 13m away from the contest. Those competing in the throw-in must clash for the ball with a ground stroke and failure to do so will result in a free.

All puck-outs must clear the 45m line before the defending team can touch the ball and three players from each team must remain between the 45m and 21m lines. Puck-outs can't be taken until the referee has blown their whistle.

The 65 has been altered to be taken from the defending 65m line as opposed to the one inside the attacking half of the field, an increase of 10m. Two points will be awarded for sideline cuts that are struck over the crossbar providing no other player from the attacking team has touched the ball.

The criteria for cynically denying a goalscoring opportunity has been updated to include a body collide when the opponent has played the ball away or taking the opponent out of the movement of play, to deliberately pull a jersey or to deliberately prevent or restrict an opponent from moving on from playing the ball by holding up an opponent or an attempt to do so. In such cases, a yellow or red card shall be shown instead of a black.

An advantage rule change will allow a team whose player has been fouled during the five-second advantage period to take a free from the location of the initial foul or any thereafter. Those five seconds can be extended by the referee to allow for a score attempt taken in that timeframe.

If the team who have earned the advantage have committed a foul during the period, that side will retain the initial advantage. The referee shall deal with the second infringement independent of it.

The hurling expert review group also allow for the return of the maor foirne (running selector). They can be permitted to enter the field of play but only during breaks in play. Any other incursion will be considered unauthorised.

Line umpires (linesmen) will be empowered to act as assistant referees, each operating one half of the pitch with each umpire patrolling the endline to the halfway line on alternate sides of the pitch.

Line umpires will bring to the attention of referees "any instances of foul play" and indicate it by raising their flag.

From the Cork Examiner.

I think we're going to make a mess of the game, in particular the steps being increased to 6 officially.

It's already about 6 steps FFS.

Also, someone doesn't know that pitch lengths vary and can be from 130 metres (so no material difference) to 145 metres which would mean a 15 metre additional length.

Just change the core of the ball FFS.

This in a nutshell, ive been to loads of club games in the champ, really enjoyable and have yet to hear 1 person call for any changes. I really cant see the logic in these changes.

[Deerstalker]

Never thought Meyler was a great choice to head this up, I remember hearing him not that long ago bemoaning the lack of ground hurling in the game now.

Enforce the rules that are already in place, 6 steps will just become 10+. Good luck if you are a corner back.

[marty34]

Who wants to change the game? Let it be.

If they'd do a bit more in terms of getting more clubs up and running in the line above Galway to Dublin.

That, in my opinion, would be more beneficial that a glossy document headed up by Myler and the the usual suspects.

[didlyi]

Who wants to change the game? Let it be.

If they'd do a bit more in terms of getting more clubs up and running in the line above Galway to Dublin.

That, in my opinion, would be more beneficial that a glossy document headed up by Myler and the the usual suspects.

The 8000 hurling people who took part in the Survey wanted change and many more too Im sure.
The handpass was top of the survey so at least they have addressed that. Not sure about the steps thing.
Lets see how the trial goes.