The Hop Ball

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Does that mean then that under the "old rules" that you could bounce the ball basketball style the whole length of the pitch?

Technically yes, but you try doing that against 15 Meathmen!!

Not really, you still couldn't be 'not in possession' for the whole length of the pitch, technically or otherwise. In practice, the ref will give you three bounces max (maybe four), and if you haven't managed to control it by then and have it in your possession, you'll be whistled up for overcarrying. Unless you're playing in a snowstorm.

[lynchbhoy]

My understanding is that you were correct until last year or the year before when they changed the interpretation on the rule so that even if your attempting to control the ball referees are supposed to now award a free against

I vaguely recall some rule change alright or talk of it, can you or anyone confirm this ?

up until then it was allowed to bounce the ball (I deem a 'hop' the action of a ball that is under control) was allowed a few times until the player brought the ball under control.
I actually recall thinkig about this some 20 years ago to see if I would actually use this to solo up the field a wee bit while feigning lack of control.
Realised this was stupid and thought better of it.

A decent ref would spot when its under control anyhow, but if that rule had not been applied as DMcKeown says, then the ref was incorrect awarding a free against gardiner on sunday.

[Hardy]

This is all the Official Guide says abut it - interpret as you will:

Rule 1.5: When the ball has not been caught, it may be
bounced more than once in succession.

Rune 4.6 (under technical fouls): To bounce the ball
more than once consecutively after catching it.

It doesn't mention anything about control - only catching the ball. So I'd interpret that as allowing a basketball type dribble the length of the field if you fancy trying it. The Meathmen couldn't do a thing about it these days, Louth Exile without provoking a concerto of multicoloured card waving.

[Smokin Joe]

This is all the Official Guide says abut it - interpret as you will:

Rule 1.5: When the ball has not been caught, it may be
bounced more than once in succession.

Rune 4.6 (under technical fouls): To bounce the ball
more than once consecutively after catching it.

It doesn't mention anything about control - only catching the ball. So I'd interpret that as allowing a basketball type dribble the length of the field if you fancy trying it. The Meathmen couldn't do a thing about it these days, Louth Exile without provoking a concerto of multicoloured card waving.

Given that rule (which couldn't be clearer), why have we seen refs clamp down on the bounce (without catching it) this year?

Any chance of Croke Park clearing this up?

[Hardy]

This is all the Official Guide says abut it - interpret as you will:

Rule 1.5: When the ball has not been caught, it may be
bounced more than once in succession.

Rune 4.6 (under technical fouls): To bounce the ball
more than once consecutively after catching it.

It doesn't mention anything about control - only catching the ball. So I'd interpret that as allowing a basketball type dribble the length of the field if you fancy trying it. The Meathmen couldn't do a thing about it these days, Louth Exile without provoking a concerto of multicoloured card waving.

Just to clarify, with reference to David McKeown's post above about a change of interpretation last year. The above is from the version of the Official Guide current on gaa.ie, dated April 2008. It's not clear whether it's pre- or post- Congress 2008, if there was a rule change at that congress, but it would seem unlikely that they'd publish an updated OG just prior to a congress.

I think directives on interpretation are also issued, without reference to Congress, as far as I know. I don't know who defines and agrees and issues them. However, it would seem strange to re-interpret the rule to outlaw a bounce if the ball is not caught, when the rule so specifically designates catching as the criterion.

[David McKeown]

Sorry to clarify I dont think the rule was changed per se but I remember either reading in refereeing matters in the back of a program or in one of the papers that referees were now being told to interpret the rule in effect as a player having caught the ball from they first touch it which I agree makes the rules nonsense but it wouldnt be the first time

[brianboru00]

Unless you have control of the ball, you cannot "foul the ball".  The Gardiner decision was wrong. As far as I know, this rule hasnt been changes over the last 20 years or more....