An emphasis on high fielding, distance kicking and a reduction in fouling are the aims of the experimental rules being introduced by the GAA for this year's National Football League. If the innovations prove successful, they could be incorporated into the championship by the summer of 2000.

For the first time, the referee will carry cards to illustrate bookings - yellow for a caution, red for sendings-off. The games committee, who devised the changes, hope that the cards will deter players liable to engage in repetitive fouling on the field.

"I think that even as the recent championship evolved, it became evident that players were mindful of the three warnings issued by referees and that they were less inclined to commit themselves to rash challenges," commented GAA PRO Danny Lynch.

It is felt that a reduction of the hand-pass may also indirectly contribute to a decrease in fouling. The short hand-pass has grown steadily more prominent in recent years, causing traditionalists to comment that the celebrated arts of high fielding and long-range kicking have suffered consequently.

Also, the short pass has led to player congestion in relatively tight sections of the pitch, again encouraging more contact and fouling.

The games committee readily acknowledge that the hand-pass has a valid and positive role in the game - it is pointed out in the report that it is a valuable tool for smaller players and as a means of releasing the ball while under pressure - but there is an underlying feeling that teams have become over reliant on it in recent years.

"With certain teams, that is certainly the case," offered Derry attacker Joe Brolly.

"But I think that Galway's win using the long ball game will bring about a bit of change of thought anyway. The thing about the fist pass is that it is so clumsy. Thinking back to the championship, I gave a hand-pass to Dermot Dougan against Armagh that led to a goal in the championship and there is no way I could have made that with the fist. It's too cumbersome," he said.

While outfield players will have to adjust to following through with the fist, goalkeepers will be restricted to passing with the boot only. It is felt that many ponderous hand-passing movements from deep in defence originated from a goalkeeper's initial hand pass to his nearest defender. Therefore, they will have to adjust to kicking the ball to teammates and a penalty will be awarded if they hand-pass the ball in the square.

"Obviously, it will take a little time, but it's just a matter of making that adjustment and shouldn't prove too difficult," predicted Danny Lynch.

The ultimate object of the modifications is to restore a long-passing, high-fetching aspect to the game. An analysis of the Leinster final between Meath and Kildare highlighted the overwhelming leaning towards the hand-pass. Kildare, often accused of possessing an almost addictive dependence on the hand-pass, resorted to it 113 times over the course of the match. They passed the ball via the foot only 41 times. It should be pointed out, however, that only eight of their hand-passes went astray while 11 of their 41 kicks were unsuccessful (and that they won the game).

Meath hand-passed the ball 86 times, losing the ball on seven occasions while they lost the ball eight times on 34 kicks. Both teams palmed the ball for the vast majority of their hand-passes.

"Some teams who don't have a particularly strong forward line hand-pass out of necessity. Others do it out of habit. Derry do it out of sheer bad habit. But overall, you know, I think the rules are okay. It's no harm tinkering around with them, but the game is crying out for a clear definition of the tackle," declared Joe Brolly.

"To be honest, I'd be in favour of even dragging the player to the ground like we had in the International Rules. At least that way, players know what they are about."

He agreed that the carding system could well discourage players from indiscriminate challenges, but he stressed that the system was still very much at the discretion of the umpires.

"There is still a need to address fouling off the ball. Umpires need to be more active, they need to inform referees when they see that type of thing going on. Players need protection," he said.

The games committee, who devised the changes, comprised a number of prominent GAA figures, such as Col Noel Walsh from Clare, Meath's Colm O'Rourke, Eugene McGee, Dr Pat O'Neill, Liam Sammon, Tony O'Keefe and Martin Carney.

They will analyse the success of the rules before making a final decision on their permanency. If they are deemed to enhance the sport, they can be forwarded for review under the "Playing Rules" at Congress in 2000 and could be implemented for the following championship.