GAA review of hand pass applications at intercounty level shows a huge upsurge since 2016

In the 2023 Allianz Hurling League, there were on average 104 hand-passes per game compared to 76 during the 2016 League and Championship season according to a review conducted by the GAA’s Standing Committee on Playing Rules (SCPR).

Also, during the 2023 Allianz Hurling League, 1.2 fouls per game were given for throws and a GAA statistical analysis picked up on 2.9 throws per game on average.

Due to these findings the GAA earlier this year decided to implement a trial period for a new rule surrounding the hand pass and puckout, which will commence next week, trialing two alternative playing rules in the Higher Education Freshers 1 Hurling League.

The rule is being trialled due to the findings of the SCPR along with the public highlighting the amount of hand passing in the game, with the frequency of hand-passing in hurling having risen markedly in recent years, along with the legality of some of the hand-passes which are being allowed in games.

When hand-passing, players will now have two options. They can strike the sliotar with a) the non-holding hand or b) with the original holding hand after bouncing the ball off the hurley.

The SCPR has also circulated a pre-competition survey to third-level coaches, development officers, and referees which enabled them to submit any questions they might have about the trialled playing rules before the competition starts.

Once the competition commences, a post-game survey will allow those same stakeholders to submit their feedback, comments, and suggestions about the implementation of the rules and any additional considerations about the rules the SCPR might want to take into account.

Gaelic Stats will undertake a comprehensive analysis of the trialled rules, and a report will then be produced in December for presentation to Central Council in January 2024.