Gaelic Football - Rules & Regulations discussion/clarification

[David McKeown]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

[twohands!!!]

Statistical Analysis Report from rounds 1-3 of the Allianz Football League relating to the new game enhancements

Nothing too surprising - I thought the handpass/kick ratio would have improved but I think it might take a bit of time, especially given weather conditions for so many games. This will surely increase some bit come championship when the weather improves.

Also a bit disappointed there wasn't a break-down of the type of fouls from previous years to compare to.

I'd be shocked if the number of fouls isn't down a bit based on watching games - the overll number of yellows, reds and blacks seem to be a good bit lower based on the games I've seen/reports I've read.

14 dissent fouls accross 48 games looks to be a super success. Similarly 76 delay fouls in 48 games looks to be a really good number in my opinion.

https://www.gaa.ie/article/frc-statistical-analysis-report

[Milltown Row2]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

[David McKeown]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

Just watching it again there.  Rafferty makes a save and knocks it down to the defender who catches it and passes it back to Rafferty.  Both players in the small square.

The ref awards a free in.  The Armagh players protest and the ref runs in seems to explain he got it wrong and changes the free.  Aidan O'Shea then intercepts the pass back to the keeper for the free and throws the ball on the ground near Rafferty i.e. he doesn't hand it to Rafferty nor the defender beside him but the free isn't moved.

Seems like a series of errors

[thewobbler]

I'm really quite amazed at the number of people on Twitter who would seem to prefer watching 70 mins of own-half possession football as a windy day spectacle, over the stack them up, chase them down approach seen under the new rules.

Now I've got to thinking that most people are unable  to remember much of anything past a few months ago. This is by far the most logical explanation for this bizarre behaviour.

[David McKeown]

I'm really quite amazed at the number of people on Twitter who would seem to prefer watching 70 mins of own-half possession football as a windy day spectacle, over the stack them up, chase them down approach seen under the new rules.

Now I've got to thinking that most people are unable  to remember much of anything past a few months ago. This is by far the most logical explanation for this bizarre behaviour.

I prefer it because there is little to no excitement to it. Games are potentially exciting for about three minutes. They don't ebb and flow like they used to.

[AustinPowers]

I've really  come to detest the 2 pointer.  Teams are skirting around the arc , moving the chess pieces to get  a kicker in place.

Shane Walsh hit some nice long kicks but  he won't be played inside where he could be dangerous around goals. And why would he? Being bottled up attempting 3 points, instead of  a better opportunity for nearly the same reward, 2 points

I noticed less  balls in around the square too, for same reason. Which is  what a lot of people like to see as it  gets the crowd  excited.  Even with  the forward mark in place , there's no point having a big FF  up there the way things are as the ball will be rarely kicked in

[Truthsayer]

I've really  come to detest the 2 pointer.  Teams are skirting around the arc , moving the chess pieces to get  a kicker in place.

Shane Walsh hit some nice long kicks but  he won't be played inside where he could be dangerous around goals. And why would he? Being bottled up attempting 3 points, instead of  a better opportunity for nearly the same reward, 2 points

I noticed less  balls in around the square too, for same reason. Which is  what a lot of people like to see as it  gets the crowd  excited.  Even with  the forward mark in place , there's no point having a big FF  up there the way things are as the ball will be rarely kicked in

Tyrone and Derry games both have 5 goals. Albeit he bate Tyrone is brilliant to see Clifford playing football rather than catching the ball and putting his hand in the air for a mark before he landed.
Love the 2 pointers. Is up to the defences to go out and stop them.
At last Gaelic football is watchable again.

[Milltown Row2]

There has been plenty of goals surely? Antrim scored a few more than normal Kerry knocked in dome as did Tyrone.

To give you an idea, it's odds on for less that 3 goals in football, that's not happening as much now

[thewobbler]

I'm really quite amazed at the number of people on Twitter who would seem to prefer watching 70 mins of own-half possession football as a windy day spectacle, over the stack them up, chase them down approach seen under the new rules.

Now I've got to thinking that most people are unable  to remember much of anything past a few months ago. This is by far the most logical explanation for this bizarre behaviour.

I prefer it because there is little to no excitement to it. Games are potentially exciting for about three minutes. They don't ebb and flow like they used to.

Honestly David I just don't understand this take. Games didn't ebb and flow for almost a decade there. It was 60 minutes of possession nonsense and if we were lucky we got a good last 10.

The first half of last year's AI final is the prime example of why the rules had to change. Boredom personified. No ebb, no flow. Just boredom. 

[Truthsayer]

I'm really quite amazed at the number of people on Twitter who would seem to prefer watching 70 mins of own-half possession football as a windy day spectacle, over the stack them up, chase them down approach seen under the new rules.

Now I've got to thinking that most people are unable  to remember much of anything past a few months ago. This is by far the most logical explanation for this bizarre behaviour.

I prefer it because there is little to no excitement to it. Games are potentially exciting for about three minutes. They don't ebb and flow like they used to.

You're kidding?...

[on the sideline]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

Just watching it again there.  Rafferty makes a save and knocks it down to the defender who catches it and passes it back to Rafferty.  Both players in the small square.

The ref awards a free in.  The Armagh players protest and the ref runs in seems to explain he got it wrong and changes the free.  Aidan O'Shea then intercepts the pass back to the keeper for the free and throws the ball on the ground near Rafferty i.e. he doesn't hand it to Rafferty nor the defender beside him but the free isn't moved.

Seems like a series of errors

From what we were told on Monday that can't get passed back to Rafferty. We were told it can only be passed to the goalkeeper if the defender wins/intercepts the ball inside the penalty box, directly from the opposition. So if it came off Rafferty to the defender then the defender didn't win it directly from the opposition, and therefore he can't pass to the goalkeeper. We put the referee's over this several times.

These rules just make things unnecessarily complicated.

[Milltown Row2]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

Just watching it again there.  Rafferty makes a save and knocks it down to the defender who catches it and passes it back to Rafferty.  Both players in the small square.

The ref awards a free in.  The Armagh players protest and the ref runs in seems to explain he got it wrong and changes the free.  Aidan O'Shea then intercepts the pass back to the keeper for the free and throws the ball on the ground near Rafferty i.e. he doesn't hand it to Rafferty nor the defender beside him but the free isn't moved.

Seems like a series of errors

From what we were told on Monday that can't get passed back to Rafferty. We were told it can only be passed to the goalkeeper if the defender wins/intercepts the ball inside the penalty box, directly from the opposition. So if it came off Rafferty to the defender then the defender didn't win it directly from the opposition, and therefore he can't pass to the goalkeeper. We put the referee's over this several times.

These rules just make things unnecessarily complicated.

For the amount of times that's going to happen in a game will be once or twice at most.. told that the only time the keeper can take a pass is inside the small square, there was no add ons to that when initially explained

The problems you're having is listening to one ref or a couple

I've been to couple workshops and online stuff, from those that were involved in setting up the rules.

When some of these questions are asked it's never totally definitive

[on the sideline]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

Just watching it again there.  Rafferty makes a save and knocks it down to the defender who catches it and passes it back to Rafferty.  Both players in the small square.

The ref awards a free in.  The Armagh players protest and the ref runs in seems to explain he got it wrong and changes the free.  Aidan O'Shea then intercepts the pass back to the keeper for the free and throws the ball on the ground near Rafferty i.e. he doesn't hand it to Rafferty nor the defender beside him but the free isn't moved.

Seems like a series of errors

From what we were told on Monday that can't get passed back to Rafferty. We were told it can only be passed to the goalkeeper if the defender wins/intercepts the ball inside the penalty box, directly from the opposition. So if it came off Rafferty to the defender then the defender didn't win it directly from the opposition, and therefore he can't pass to the goalkeeper. We put the referee's over this several times.

These rules just make things unnecessarily complicated.

For the amount of times that's going to happen in a game will be once or twice at most.. told that the only time the keeper can take a pass is inside the small square, there was no add ons to that when initially explained

The problems you're having is listening to one ref or a couple

I've been to couple workshops and online stuff, from those that were involved in setting up the rules.

When some of these questions are asked it's never totally definitive

And that's the massive problem. It should be definitive.

I thought from the initial explanation it was only in the small square this could happen, so when it was explained that it was in the penalty area I asked two of the inter county referees present and they said it was definitely inside the penalty area.

[Milltown Row2]

What happened with Rafferty  saving the  shot late on?

Defender then  passed it back to him in the square,  but play was stopped.  Armagh got a  Free.

What was that about?

Didn't see the incident myself but keepers can receive a pass in their own square, if the player passing the ball is also in the square

Rafferty seemed to be doing serious giving off about it at the time not sure what was going on.

Ref initially pointed for a free in and then changed his decision. Looked like someone told him he got the rule wrong.

If that is what happened though should it have not been a hop ball even though that would have been unfair on Armagh.

Mind you winning the free was a big disadvantage anyway.

Ref made three mistakes, there was no foul, clearly collected pass inside square, blew whistle for foul, realised he made mistake, good, but having blown for the foul and discussed reason he can't just change it,  different if he puts arm up for free going different direction and changes straight away, the actual rules don't allow that. And thirdly after making a balls up gives Armagh a free out when there was no free in first place, hop ball on 14 was the best case scenario but he even got that wrong.

Now bring yourself to the club games when no one is 'helping' the ref, going to be carnage

Is that right?  In the Armagh v Down Ulster Semi last year the referee awarded Armagh a free then got talked out of it and changed his mind and decided to award an earlier free.

Once the referee has given a decision and has sounded his whistle to restart play, he shall not alter that decision. This looked like that?

Last year there looked like a foul on a Down player but the referee didn't give the play continued for several seconds and an Armagh player (Murnin I think) was fouled.  The referee awarded the free kick before Armagh could take it Sean Hurson who was the linesman called the referee over and the referee awarded a free kick to Down.  It was widely assumed at the time it was for the original foul the referee had decided was not a foul. I can't remember anyone at the time suggesting it was against the rules although it might have been said I just don't remember.

Last night looked similar in that the referee clearly blew his whistle and awarded a free in only to stop a few seconds later then change his mind and award a free out (although I couldn't see any reason why a free out should have been awarded)

Haven't seen the incident, but did the player who passed it to Rafferty win possession inside the penalty box and if so did he pass directly to Rafferty? If so all is fine.

He can't carry it in and then pass to the keeper or win it inside the box, give it to someone else who then gives it to gk, he must do it himself directly.

Won it directly from a high ball

Both players inside the small square which is allowed

Just watching it again there.  Rafferty makes a save and knocks it down to the defender who catches it and passes it back to Rafferty.  Both players in the small square.

The ref awards a free in.  The Armagh players protest and the ref runs in seems to explain he got it wrong and changes the free.  Aidan O'Shea then intercepts the pass back to the keeper for the free and throws the ball on the ground near Rafferty i.e. he doesn't hand it to Rafferty nor the defender beside him but the free isn't moved.

Seems like a series of errors

From what we were told on Monday that can't get passed back to Rafferty. We were told it can only be passed to the goalkeeper if the defender wins/intercepts the ball inside the penalty box, directly from the opposition. So if it came off Rafferty to the defender then the defender didn't win it directly from the opposition, and therefore he can't pass to the goalkeeper. We put the referee's over this several times.

These rules just make things unnecessarily complicated.

For the amount of times that's going to happen in a game will be once or twice at most.. told that the only time the keeper can take a pass is inside the small square, there was no add ons to that when initially explained

The problems you're having is listening to one ref or a couple

I've been to couple workshops and online stuff, from those that were involved in setting up the rules.

When some of these questions are asked it's never totally definitive

And that's the massive problem. It should be definitive.

I thought from the initial explanation it was only in the small square this could happen, so when it was explained that it was in the penalty area I asked two of the inter county referees present and they said it was definitely inside the penalty area.

Mad, inside the small square was or how I've approached it.

Also can the keeper collect a 'loose' ball, when can it be deemed a 'pass'  inside his own half? The keeper thing for me is or will cause hassle