Gaelic football, as we know it, is about to change dramatically as the Football Review Committee’s new rules come into effect this weekend with the start of the Allianz Football League.

Jim Gavin’s FRC had a remit to make Gaelic football ‘the most exciting amateur sport in the world’ and a host of new playing rules were passed by special congress last November with all 49 motions passed by delegates.

At the heart of the proposals are seven ‘core rule enhancements’ with Gavin’s committee working on feedback from over 7,000 people who responded to their questionnaire.

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According to the FRC, they identified five facets of the game that people want to see more of - high fielding, kick passing, long-range scores, goal-scoring and one-to-one contests.

The seven key rule changes are outlined below, but the penalties for breaking the new rules may well provide the major talking points around the grounds this weekend.

1. 1vs1 throw-in

Just two midfielders, one from each team, will contest throw-ins at the start of each half. The other two midfielders will stand on opposite sidelines. This rule is an attempt to halt fouling by midfielders and the grappling that can occur between opposition players at throw-in.

2. Kickouts

Kickouts must now travel past the new 40-metre scoring arc otherwise it will be a free against the team taking the kickout from the place of the foul. However, opposition players can intercept the ball inside the 40-metre arc.

Players no longer need to be outside of the 20-metre line before the ball is kicked, but the players must still be 13 metres from the kickout.

3. Goalkeepers

In addition to the new kickout rules, players can only pass the ball back to their goalkeeper if they are both inside the large rectangle of their own goal and the ball was played in by an opposing player or once the goalkeeper has crossed the halfway line to support an attack. This rule is to encourage teams to move the ball forward and, in turn, reduce the ‘keep-ball’ phases in games.

4. 40-metre scoring arc

The new 40-metre arc will be lined out on pitches around the country this week. As stated above, all kickouts must go beyond the 40-metre arc and teams will now be awarded two points for scores from outside the arc, provided the ball travels over the bar without touching a player on either team. In that instance, the score will only be worth one point, but the ball can bounce over the bar without being touched and still be worth two points. The exception to this is 45s, which will still be worth one point. Umpires will signal a two-pointer by raising an orange flag while the referee will raise both hands in the air. The standing foot of the kicker must be on or beyond the 40-metre arc for a two-point score to be awarded.

5. 3vs3 structure

The most radical and contentious of the new rules, how the 3vs3 structure will work at club level remains to be seen and there could be some teething issues at county level this weekend.

The premise is that teams must always keep at least three outfield players in each half of the pitch. Teams will have 11 outfield players in attack while the opposition will have 11 outfield players defending.

The goalkeeper isn’t counted as an outfield player and, as such, could have a massive influence on the game if they join an attack to create a 12 vs 11 overlap.

If a player carrying the ball crosses the halfway line and leaves less than three players back in their defence, a free is awarded to the opposition at the point they crossed the halfway line.

If a defending team drops too many players back and fails to leave three up in their forward line, the penalty is a 20-metre free to the opposition. The team then has the option to bring the free beyond the 40-metre arc to attempt a two-point score.

6. Solo and go

If a free is awarded, a player may opt to resume play immediately with the new solo and go rule. A player can toe-tap the ball within four metres of where the foul occurred and continue. However, they must go forward or sideways, not backways and they cannot be challenged for four metres if they solo and go.

7. Advanced mark

The advanced mark has undergone a transformation and is now awarded when a catch is taken on or inside the opposition 20-metre line from a kick delivered before the 45-metre line. The player can call for a mark and take the free or play on. If they are tackled and no advantage accrues, they can come back for the original mark and there is no time limit to the advantage. Previously, the referees would have allowed an advantage of five seconds, but it will now be at their discretion.

New penalties for dissent and black card update

With new rules come new penalties and some could have huge bearing on games, especially during the first few weeks of the League.

Tactical and cynical fouling in order to delay or impede play will result in the ball being moved forward 50 metres.

Similarly, to show dissent after a referee’s decision to award a free will result in the free being advanced 50 metres.

Failure to retreat after a free or not handing over possession immediately when a free is awarded also results in the ball being moved forward by 50 metres.

In all instances, the team may opt to bring the free outside the 40-metre arc to attempt a two-point score.

Dissent from the sideline which is deemed worthy of a yellow or red card will now be punished with a free from the 13-metre line. A captain or a designated player may seek clarification from referees.

To hold up a player, as opposed to dragging a player down, will now also be a black card offence as will the offence of ‘contributing to a melee’ and there will be a further crackdown on head-high challenges.

Referees will also deploy vanishing white foam in a move to stop free-takers stealing yards while a stop clock and hooter will also be used when available at grounds.

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