THE GAA is preparing to launch a new competition for junior football clubs partly with a view to trying out some experimental rules. The association is anxious to create a competition for junior clubs on the same lines as that for the seniors and agreement has already been obtained from the Ulster and Connacht councils.

The experimental rules would propose to curtail the present solo, run, allow the ball to be lifted directly off the ground and allow a player to be in the small, square before the ball, provided that the goalkeeper is not being, impeded. Tackling the goalkeeper inside the square would still be forbidden.

There have been repeated call for some form of limitation on the solo run and the present proposal would allow the ball to be hopped only once and kicked from toe to hand only once.

It is hoped that this would restore more kicked passes and long kicking as well as limiting the amount of carrying in the game, which many believe leads to fouling by deciding try. It is argued that an opposing player has no legitimate way of depriving an opponent of possession of the ball apart from knocking it out of his grasp with the open hand.

The so called "square ball" rule has been a constant problem in both football and hurling. Originally devised as a method of giving some badly needed protection for goalkeepers, it has led to much controversy and the present proposal is designed to protect, the goalkeeper while, at the same time, allowing attacking players more scope.

The "lifting" has also been a problem. Many believe that players travelling at speed simply cannot lift the ball legitimately under the present rule which demands that a player raises the ball off the ground with his foot before taking it into his hands.

As yet the Leinster and Munster councils have not given their agreement to the new experimental competition but it is expected to go ahead in a tournament format in any case either in early October of this year or next spring.