Players and managers reminded to abide by hand pass rule ahead of Munster championship

The GAA have issued an interesting statement surrounding the hand pass rule just five days out from the start of the senior provincial hurling championship.

The GAA’s playing rules body has requested players and managers to abide by the hand-pass rule ahead of the opening weekend of action, amid increased scrutiny over the use of the skill in the intercounty game during the league.

Issued by GAA director general Tom Ryan to county secretaries on Monday and requested to be brought “to the attention of players and management”, the circular stresses the need for players transferring the sliotar by hand to commit “a definite striking action”.

“The standing committee on playing rules has requested that players be reminded to release and strike the ball with a definite striking action of the hand, the releasing of the ball is integral to a legal hand pass, failure to do so runs the risk of sanction by the match official.

“Rule 4.2 specifies two technical fouls as being (a) to throw the ball; (b) to handpass the ball without it being released and struck with a definite striking action of the hand.”

Over recent months, the playing rules committee have been discussing the rule with the possibility of tightening it to ensure more hand passes are administered correctly.

Following the first two rounds of the Allianz Hurling League, examples of illegal handpasses were shown to referees and in the more intense environment of the championship, there are expected to be more instances where there is no clear indication that the ball has been struck with the hand.