As the Football Review Committee moves towards its Interprovincial ‘Sandbox’ games, here is a timeline of some of the major changes in Gaelic football since it was first played in 1885:
First Football Rules, 17 January 1885:
1. Teams up to 21 players a side. All players from both teams line up in midfield for the throw-in.
2. Pitch at least 120 yards long by 80 in breadth and properly marked by boundary lines.
3. Soccer-shaped goalposts, 8ft high and 15ft wide. Only goals can be scored.
4. Pushing, tripping, holding and headbutting not allowed.
5. When the ball is kicked over the sideline it shall be thrown back by a player of the opposite side.
Michael Cusack: “We have to remind those who play football that it is not to be passed or carried in any way. It may be caught, but it must be kicked or put on the ground at once. It may also be hit with the hand. The passing and carrying is entirely foreign, having been imported from rugby.”
Due to the number of matches finishing scoreless, points posts are added 21ft to each side of the soccer-shaped goalposts, which are also widened from 21ft to 21ft. Points only count if the teams finish level on goals.
The rule which allowed players to break off and wrestle each other while the play continues is abolished.
Number of players on a team reduced from 21 to 17.
Substitutions allowed for injured players.
Recommended that referees use a whistle.
The value of a goal is set at 5 points, previously a goal had been worth more than any number of points.
The value of a goal is now set at 3 points.
Modern linesmen and goal umpires introduced.
The ball can only be caught before it bounces after being kicked or fisted on.
No throwing of the ball.
No hopping of the ball and no carrying for longer than 4 steps, by which time it must be struck with the hand or kicked.
All free kicks awarded by referees to be kicked off the ground.
Ball reduced from Size 6 to Size 5.
A 7-yard square introduced in front of the goals from which all kickouts must be taken.
GAA establishes sub-committee to examine the playing rules.
A 7-yard square replaced by a 10-yard line from which all kickouts must be taken.
Width of soccer-style goals reduced from 21ft to 18ft and width out to sideposts also reduced from 21ft to 18ft.
The ball may be caught whether it has bounced or not.
The ball may not be picked off the ground.
14, 21, and 50 yard lines, as well as a midfield line, marked on pitches.
A parallelogram measuring 15 yards by 5 yards in front of the goals for kickouts to be taken and in which no attacking player can stand before the ball arrives to protect goalkeepers.
Players allowed one hop with the ball.
Players also allowed bounce the ball going forward in basketball style, provided they haven’t caught it first.
Modern H-shaped goalposts introduced.
For throw-in to start each half, all midfielders and forwards from each team line up opposite each other in the middle of the field.
Players taking the kickout can touch the ball more than once (the practice was to flick it up to yourself before pulling on it).
Teams reduced from 17 to 15 players a side.
If a player is tackled after he kicks the ball, the free will be given from where the ball lands.
Running while tipping the ball in the air on your hand is banned.
Instead of one-handed throw-in, sideline kicks now to be taken from the ground.
A booklet produced for referees insists that the ball must be “toed into the hand” and not picked off the ground.
Referees encouraged not to blow for every “petty infringement” but to let the game flow.
Handpasses can only be given using a closed fist.
Three substitutions allowed per team.
Throw-in to begin each half now restricted to both midfielders from each team.
A fair charge defined as having to be shoulder-to-shoulder.
Players allowed to take a quick free without waiting for the referee’s whistle.
Senior championship matches now extended to last 80 minutes.
Open-handed handpass allowed.
Large parallelogram introduced as a penalty area and penalty kicks introduced for first time.
Return to 70-minute championship matches.
Ball brought forward ten yards for dissent to referee.
Players to be booked after two personal fouls and then sent off after a third.
1980
Pitch markings now changed to metres from yards.
1981/5 All handpassed scores disallowed.
1990 Free kicks can be taken from the hand or off the ground.
All sideline kicks now to be taken from the hand.
Footballers allowed fist a point but not a goal.
1995 Pitch markings changed to include exclusion zone outside 20m line 2000 Number of substitutions allowed increased to 5 per team.
2012 Player allowed be in small rectangle before the ball arrives, except from free kicks, line balls and 45s 2014 Introduction of a Black Card for Cynical Behaviour Fouls, which are:
1. Deliberately pull down an opponent.
2. Deliberately trip an opponent with the hand(s), arm, leg or foot.
3. Deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of a movement of play.
4. Threaten or to use abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opponent or a teammate.
5. Remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a Match Official.
Substitutes: Change in the number of substitutes allowed: Increased to six per team.
Advantage Rule defined as: “When a foul is committed the referee may allow the play to continue if he considers it to be to the advantage of the offended team. He shall signal that advantage by raising an arm upright. If he deems no advantage to have occurred, he may subsequently award a free for that foul from where it occurred*. The referee shall allow the advantage to run by maintaining his arm in the upright position for up to five seconds after the initial foul or for less time if it becomes clear that no advantage has accrued. He shall apply any relevant disciplinary action.” Players may score a point with the open hand or the fist.
New definition of the tackle agreed.
2017 Introduction of the mark, when a player catches the ball cleanly from a Kick-Out without it touching the ground, on or past the 45m line nearest the Kick-Out point. The player awarded a ‘Mark’ shall have the options of (a) Taking a free kick or (b) Playing on immediately.
2020 Advanced Mark: Players who take a ‘mark’ or clean possession inside the oppositions 45 will be rewarded with a free kick. Players can choose to play on or signal to the referee that they wish to take the free instead. This can be brought back to the 13m line for balls caught between there and the end line.
Sin Bin: If a player gets a black card, they will spend 10 minutes off the field. No substitute allowed, reducing his side’s numbers for that period. A second black card, or a black following a yellow, will result in a red card. The player will be sent off for the rest of the match.
All kick-outs must now be taken from the 20-metre line. The ball must travel forward, and all players must be at least 13m away and outside the D and 20m line when the kick is taken.
Paul Rouse is professor of history in University College Dublin
