Experimentation in the rules of Gaelic football move a further stage next weekend when some of the previous experiments which have been tried in recent matches have been dropped. Out go the limitation on solo runs and the "mark" from the kick-out but the straight pick-up off the ground and the two referees has been retained.

In addition a reduction in the number of umpires from four to two - one at each end - will be introduced for the rest of the experimental period, while the extension of the substitute panel to five has also been retained. The Football Development Committee (FDC), in a statement issued yesterday, said that "valuable insights into the current phase of rule experimentation would assist the committee in its quest" for improvements in a number of aspects of the game. The members of the FDC are Noel Walsh (Clare), Martin Carney (Mayo), Liam Sammon (Galway), Tony O'Keeffe (Kerry), Bob Honohan (Cork), Eugene McGee (Longford), Colm O'Rourke (Meath), Pat O'Neill (Dublin), Art McRory (Tyrone) and Danny McNamee (Donegal).

The aspects of the game on which the committee wanted to concentrate were the elimination of "off the ball" incidents and "a considerable reduction" in aggressive fouls (deliberate pushing and pulling etc.).

Their aim is also "to maintain the primacy of kicking and to ensure consistent application of the playing rules". The experimental rules will now apply to the McKenna Cup in Ulster and the remaining matches in the O'Byrne Cup in Leinster, the McGrath Cup in Munster and the FBD Connacht League. The Football Development Committee says in its statement: "Having regard to the level of emphasis which teams are now placing on preparation for the concluding stages of the National League and the preparation for the All-Ireland championship, it was decided that the main thrust of experimentation would be on the competitions listed above".

The experimental new rules will now read: 1, A player who deliberately pushes or pulls an opponent to be cautioned (name taken) and sent off for the remainder of the game if he re-offends.

2, Teams be permitted to use five substitutes. All substitutions (with the exception of injured players) to be made from the halfway line and controlled by the linesman. No substitute to be permitted to enter the field of play until the player who is being substituted has left the field of play at the halfway line.

3, Two referees to be appointed for each game. 4, One umpire to officiate at each goal.

5, Players to be allowed to lift the ball off the ground, provided that the player is not kneeling, lying, sitting or sliding on the ground.

The statement points out that the experimental rules involving the restricted solo run, the "mark" and the fisted pass, have been put "on hold" until these competitions have been completed.

There has been several different attitudes to the rules which have been in force for the competitions listed above. There was general opposition among players to the restricted solo-run which allowed only one hop and one toe-tap before the player in possession was required to kick that ball away or pass with the closed fist.

What was widely accepted, however, was the allowance to players to lift the ball directly off the ground. For a considerable time the pick-up rule was observed more in the breach than in the observance anyway.

The present debate on the matter calls to mind an occasion when the Galway player Mattie McDonagh scored a crucial goal against Kerry in Croke Park. When he was accused of having picked the ball off the ground his reply was that he had not done so but had "picked the ball off the grass". There also seems to have been fairly widespread acceptance of the idea of using two referees. While the idea of two referees in every match is totally impractical it seems to be acceptable that such a policy would be valuable in matches towards the end of the National League and in all championship matches.

The introduction of two referees and the reduction in the number of umpires make sense, particularly if the referee in the half of the field where the ball is absent can be in a better position to keep a closer eye on play than would be possible for an umpire. Again this would only be possible in the important matches at inter-county level.

The same would apply to the use of five substitutes. It could not apply to a lot of inter-club matches when clubs might find it difficult to field a full team in any event. Although there is a widespread view that what is generally called "pulling and dragging" should be eliminated supporters seem to resent when referees apply the rules strictly to members of their team and complain loudly that the referee is not applying it strictly to the other side.

The Football Development Committee should also apply its mind to a feature of the game which has come about since the introduction of the free kick from the sideline and from the hand, particularly the latter.

Sunday's match between Kildare and Clare in Newbridge is a case in point when there was widespread abuse of the new rule and both sides were equally guilty. Players taking free kicks from the hand invariably ran three or four paces from where the kick was awarded.

In the case of frees awarded within scoring distance, the kicker invariable ran several paces from the point where the free was awarded and, in addition, altered the angle to his own advantage without any penalty being imposed by the referee, Paul McGann, who was meticulous, to the point of fussiness, in other respects.