All you need to know about the introduction of ‘the mark’ to Gaelic football

What is it and what does it mean for the game?

The GAA Congress at the weekend saw the usual debates and mixtures of motions approved and denied.

One that was successful was Motion 41 - introducing the ‘mark’ to Gaelic football.

The ‘mark’ will come into Gaelic football after the motion got the necessary support at Congress today! Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/y0pqzfFVVv

— sportsfile (@sportsfile) February 27, 2016

What does it mean?

The motion read: “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, he shall be awarded ‘a mark’ by the referee.

“The player awarded a ‘mark’ shall have the options of (a) Taking a free kick or (b) Playing on immediately.”

What this means in practice is that the player will indicate to the referee if he intends to take the ‘mark’. If he wants to he then takes the free kick himself from the hand from the point where he was awarded the ‘mark’.

If the player chooses to play on he may not be challenged for the ball until he carries the ball up to a maximum of four consecutive steps or holds the ball for no longer than the time needed to take four steps and/or makes one act of kicking, hand-passing, bouncing or toe-tapping the ball.

Why was it introduced?

The idea behind it was to encourage teams to focus on the art of high catching and discourage the recent trend towards teams using short kick-outs in order to retain possession.

Jarlath Burns, chairman of Playing Rules committee, explains in more detail.

Video from officialgaa.

When will it be introduced?

It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but the hope is to introduce it at the start of 2017. Introduction will be discussed further at a Central Council meeting in three weeks time.

What has the reaction to it been like?

Mixed to say the least. It passed because 68% of delegates voted in favour, which would suggest a groundswell of support.

But many are not happy with the change.

Former Dublin star Ciaran Whelan was sharply critical on RTÉ radio show Game On last night.

“The game is being messed around with over the weekend by the stroke of a pen with a rule that hasn't been thought out in my opinion," he said.

“I think to come out with a simplistic approach and think that this is going to introduce the skill of high fielding back into our game is off the wall because it simply won't.”

Thoughts on GAA congress: (feels like emojis are sufficient)
The Mark 😕🤔 👎🏻
Sky decision 👍🏻
U17/U20 😐
Not to shorten IC season: 😪😡😤👎🏻#GAA

— Tomás Quinn (@mossyquinn) February 27, 2016

Donegal’s Eamon McGee was also unimpressed, writing on Twitter: “Club players still shafted and the mark is introduced without a trial run.

“I'm away to scream with rage into a pillow.”

Could we not trial it first?

— Aidan O'Shea (@AIDOXI) February 27, 2016

Others are less concerned, with many feeling it won’t have a huge impact on the game.

“Chances are the mark will end up a non-entity of a rule,” Irish Examiner columnist John Fogarty said. “The change to the black card rule has the potential to make more of an impact.”

For the players complaining about the mark being introduced to Gaelic football, here's the solution: when u catch the ball, just play on.

— Michael Foley📚🖊 (@MickFoley76) February 27, 2016

I don't get all the negativity surrounding the introduction of the 'mark'. Realistically, It will have very little effect on the game.

— Mike Quirke (@Mike_Quirke) March 1, 2016