Pressure has grown on the AFL in recent years to at least experiment with video replays, particularly since Tom Hawkins' crucial shot for goal in the 2009 grand final was given the all clear when it had clearly hit the post.

Goal umpires will now have the chance to seek assistance from the official scorer if they are unsure a kick was accurate. 

But the replay will be used only if it is immediately available and does not impact on the flow of the match. Players will not be able to refer decisions.

AFL operations manager Adrian Anderson said there was no time limit on how long the umpire and scorer, using an earpiece, could confer.

''For example, after a goal, if there is no replay available by the time the ball was back in the middle ready to be bounced, we'll just get on with the play,'' he said.

''After a behind, the goal umpire can consult with the other umpires and the official scorer. If there is no replay immediately available, we'll just get on with things.

''But we've gone back and looked at a lot of replays of contentious scoring decisions, often the replay is available shortly after. It's the same replay the viewers' see.''

Anderson said of 10,000 scoring decisions last season, there had been less than 10 errors.

This move is one of five rules the league announced yesterday for the pre-season competition.

The decision to extend the power of boundary umpires to pay free kicks for holding or high-contact infringements, along with awarding a free kick against a player who drags the ball under an opponent or holds it in while he is trying to knock it out are extensions of the rules used last year.

Anderson said it was important ball players were protected.

"Boundary umpires can be in a good position for viewing these situations and this trial, which was first used last year, allows them to award free kicks when holding or high contact infringements are detected. Boundary umpires will again be trained up on this skill over the pre-season," Anderson said.

"In 2011, the AFL will again will again trial an extension of the holding-the-ball rule as an attempt to reduce the prevalence of players dragging or holding the ball underneath their opponent in an attempt to gain a free kick. This tactic is against the spirit and intent of the holding-the-ball rule."

Another major move, one designed specifically for the NAB Cup, will allow for players awarded a 50-metre penalty outside the 50-metre arc to choose whether to accept the penalty and shoot for a traditional six-point goal from close range, or take the kick from outside 50 and attempt a nine-pointer.

Anderson said introducing a nine-pointer in the season proper was not on the agenda.

Another decision, this time specifically for the opening round of the competition, will see a free kick awarded against the last player to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds.

Anderson said he had consulted coaches and that ''had been of interest''.

This rule was reintroduced to provide another point of difference in an intriguing opening round when the competition splits into six pools of three teams, including expansion sides Greater Western Sydney and the Gold Coast.

In the first round, each team will play the other two members of its pool in shortened games comprising 20-minute halves, allowing for three matches to be played in a three-hour block.

The NAB Cup starts on Friday, February 11 when Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Melbourne clash at AAMI Stadium.