The Camanachd Association is recommending a rule change surrounding Free Hits.
The recommendation will be put before a Camanachd Association General Meeting on Friday 3 February 2012
It was felt that a free hit breaks up the momentum which an attacking team has, allowing the defending team to regroup and resulting in the advantage moving from the attacking team to the defending team. As a means to redress the situation the undernoted option is proposed.
It is recommended that the current Byelaw 1.19.3. be changed such that only the defending players are required to retreat 5 yard (5 metres) from a player taking a free hit.
The perceived benefits from this are that this will help reinstate any advantage enjoyed before the foul was committed. It would also increase the sanction on the team committing the foul and would lead to a reduction of the number of fouls committed and consequently a reduction in interruptions to play.
The Proposed re-wording of Byelaw 1.19.3 now reads;
No player from the opposing team shall be within 5 yards (5 metres) of the striker while the hit is being taken. The striker shall not play the ball a second time until it has touched or been played by another player. A goal from such a hit shall NOT count.
Clubs and Associations are now invited to submit counter proposals or amendments to this amendment. Any such submissions should be received by the Camanachd Association not later than 5pm on Friday 6 January 2012.
The final notice of the General Meeting and all relevant papers, including any counter proposals or amendments proposed by Members, will be circulated to Member Clubs and Associations on or by 13 January 2012.
The General Meeting will be held on Friday 3 February 2012 at the Ben Nevis Hotel, Fort William, with a 7pm start.