Gaelic Football - Rules & Regulations discussion/clarification

[Milltown Row2]

I like the unpredictability now that it brings, on a national stage it's great in a way (for me) as we in Antrim will not be at the business end of things so we can view the games differently as opposed to those that have personal interests due to they have a chance..

Going back to the brilliant Dublin teams, they might have bored people due their consistency, but I liked their ability to grind out the wins considering they had very poor opposition during Leinster. Though that goes against my view of enjoying the unpredictable side of things now lol

Now with the new rules it's bucking the nature of how teams tactical approach it, and a spell of dominance in a game can blow teams away or reel them in!

I was, and for some of the rules as a ref think the change was extreme, from club level it's very difficult, but, I'm acclimatising to it, and dare say enjoying the movement of the game.

Not sure how it will be in the white hot atmosphere of championship though

[SaffronSports]

I like the unpredictability now that it brings, on a national stage it's great in a way (for me) as we in Antrim will not be at the business end of things so we can view the games differently as opposed to those that have personal interests due to they have a chance..

Going back to the brilliant Dublin teams, they might have bored people due their consistency, but I liked their ability to grind out the wins considering they had very poor opposition during Leinster. Though that goes against my view of enjoying the unpredictable side of things now lol

Now with the new rules it's bucking the nature of how teams tactical approach it, and a spell of dominance in a game can blow teams away or reel them in!

I was, and for some of the rules as a ref think the change was extreme, from club level it's very difficult, but, I'm acclimatising to it, and dare say enjoying the movement of the game.

Not sure how it will be in the white hot atmosphere of championship though

Will you always have assistants in Championship? That should help a bit.

[Milltown Row2]

I like the unpredictability now that it brings, on a national stage it's great in a way (for me) as we in Antrim will not be at the business end of things so we can view the games differently as opposed to those that have personal interests due to they have a chance..

Going back to the brilliant Dublin teams, they might have bored people due their consistency, but I liked their ability to grind out the wins considering they had very poor opposition during Leinster. Though that goes against my view of enjoying the unpredictable side of things now lol

Now with the new rules it's bucking the nature of how teams tactical approach it, and a spell of dominance in a game can blow teams away or reel them in!

I was, and for some of the rules as a ref think the change was extreme, from club level it's very difficult, but, I'm acclimatising to it, and dare say enjoying the movement of the game.

Not sure how it will be in the white hot atmosphere of championship though

Will you always have assistants in Championship? That should help a bit.

Who knows, the group games would be thight enough with the amount of ref's available, not enough mic's either

[befair]

IMO the new rules have been a resounding success, esp at club level. More room for forwards, more discipline, less of the endless handpassing around the 45. One possible caveat is the now critical influence of the breeze; maybe the 2pt distance should be further out?

[SaffronSports]

IMO the new rules have been a resounding success, esp at club level. More room for forwards, more discipline, less of the endless handpassing around the 45. One possible caveat is the now critical influence of the breeze; maybe the 2pt distance should be further out?

How far would you go? Outside the 45m line? Most are taken from near the middle anyway so maybe no need for the arc?

[EoinW]

On one side you have David mckeown and Eoinw making their points in a balanced way but the likes of the wobbler, rossfan and truthsayer just want to tell people how they should feel.

I don't like being told how to feel. I think a lot of the issues you have brought up in your last post Wobbler have very little to do with the way the game is played and more to to with the way the GAA is run.

People are sick of everything being money orientated. Every decision the GAA makes is with money as the primary focus. I grew up listening to the jibes about the Grab All Association and never paid much attention but my God it is so true nowadays.

People harp on about having our game back. No we haven't. We have a totally new game and a sport primarily for the few who make it to county level. Even at u17 and u20 there are B and C competitions meaning seasons drag on and lads play less and less club.

If you want to go back to the good old days then play knock out championships like in the 90s, let county players have lives and play club football. Let club football prosper again. Let volunteers on the ground see the fruits of their labour with the players they produce playing with the club.

There may be a short term increase in entertainment for some people but these new rules won't fix the problems that exist in football in the long term.

It seems you could find a place in that Cavan back line too.

Within two paragraphs you condemn the GAA for now having money as its primary focus, then decry the formation of B and C competitions at u17 and u20 level.

Can I tell you something? Competitive underage squads cost county boards a fortune to run. Elongated seasons at u17 and u20 level cost county boards two fortunes to run, and with almost zero kickback from sponsors and ticket sales should they go all the way in the lower tier competitions.

(By the way I'd get rid of both backdoor competitions, there's no need)

But to be honest, this "throw enough shit and see what sticks" approach to condemning the GAA is so frustrating to read. It's not balanced. It's not fair.

And one thing I can tell you with all sincerity is I've never confused the rules of the game with the structures of the association.

I'm just glad that the latter has recognised that if it hadn't taken control of the former, it was going to be the end of the road for both.

I've got to see this Cavan back line!

Three Cavan group games.  None televised.  So much for that idea!

Same 0/3 for poor Clare.  Got any scoop on the Clare back line?

[ulstergael]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

[Minus15]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

Completely agree with everything.

[Truthsayer]

I recall not so long ago the hysteria on this board against the rules... I have followed the game since the early '70s and never seen it in a worse state than the last decade. Thanks to the FCR for saving Gaelic football.. has been a great year so far...
From Sociology lecture:
   "There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which can not fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation."
     --HERBERT SPENCER

[onefineday]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

Completely agree with everything.

Me too, I'd just add my pet bugbear on the getting rid of all 2 pt frees and we're laughing!

[ulstergael]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

Completely agree with everything.

Me too, I'd just add my pet bugbear on the getting rid of all 2 pt frees and we're laughing!

While there's still flaws with it, I think the two-point free has to stay as the team in the lead could just tactically foul outside the arc if frees were only worth one. The FRC know its not perfect and have rightly reduced the value of scoring a 45 to one. I don't know how we avoid that situation if only scores from play are worth 2!

[SouthOfThe Bann]

Even as someone who loved the old version of football, it is only now the new rules are in-place that I appreciate how much better the game is for it.

The key improvements for me have been:

2-point arc: IMO, the art of long range point scoring is the #1 skill spectators want to see when watching a game. The pushback on this rule has surprised me - the reward of the 2-pointer has removed the shackles of 'high percentages shots only' we used to see and has led to more shots & scores, particularly from positions on the pitch you wouldn't have dreamed of seeing under the old rules. I like that they tweaked a 45 only equaling one point, and would still like to see the loophole of a keeper getting a fingertip on a 2point shot being removed. 

3 up / 4 back: Mass defenses was a blight on the game as a spectacle. New structure is geared towards aiding the traditional elements of the game. There's no doubt its favoring attacking play - more space for forwards to take a man on / shoot, and defenders have to get back to actual man to man defending.

Stop clock: I like the principle of the ref. stopping the watch - particularly for teams trying to cynically run the clock down at end of games / during black cards. Hooter adds enormous drama to final plays, and it also takes the pressure off referees. Logistically, the GAA have a lot of work to do in implementing this for all intercounty games and its slightly farcical non-TV games have different parameters to televised games within the same championship. Only a runner for county games and not club obviously.

Solo & go has been great for the flow of the game & respect to referees seems to be improving as a result of the dissent rules.

I'm conflicted on the Kickout. High fielding and aerial duels are one of the most impressive skills in our game and is something we lost for a while. But is the middle of the field becoming too condensed now and leading to too many AFL-style scrums? If the KO went back to the way it was, there's jeopardy in popping it out to the corner back as the GK is no longer in play. It would create more space for the GK to place the ball in space rather than on top of a crowd. You'll still get plenty of aerial contests without the scrums. There seems to be a trend of it being easier to win the opposition kickout than your own, which is where the lack of control is frustrating for teams.

The 50m penalty for obstruction after a mark needs reviewed - the player in possession is getting too much protection IMO and when the player in possession intentionally runs into the closest opposition player, the referee should penalize this more.

I think we've almost got the rules right - credit to the FRC here.

Completely agree with everything.

Me too, I'd just add my pet bugbear on the getting rid of all 2 pt frees and we're laughing!

While there's still flaws with it, I think the two-point free has to stay as the team in the lead could just tactically foul outside the arc if frees were only worth one. The FRC know its not perfect and have rightly reduced the value of scoring a 45 to one. I don't know how we avoid that situation if only scores from play are worth 2!

Could they make a tweak to the 2 point free that the fouled player has to score it? Otherwise its worth 1?

[Rossfan]

Great to see an outbreak of positivity instead of the oul "GAAboard says NO".
The whole reason for the 2 point free was to stop deliberate fouling outside the arc as a way of preventing 2 pointers from play.
Only tweak I'd favour now is do away with the option of going for a 2 pointer for the 3 up breach etc.
A free in front of goal is punishment enough.

[APM]

Great to see an outbreak of positivity instead of the oul "GAAboard says NO".
The whole reason for the 2 point free was to stop deliberate fouling outside the arc as a way of preventing 2 pointers from play.
Only tweak I'd favour now is do away with the option of going for a 2 pointer for the 3 up breach etc.
A free in front of goal is punishment enough.

100% -

On the kickouts, I think it is class that we now have battles for breaking ball and have properly contested kickouts. It really means is that there is another front where both teams must compete.

Even in high quality games When the most efficient teams were playing, it had become: short kickout > secure possession > avoid contact> keep possession until you shoot > shoot > repeat. Unless there was a press on the kickout and very aggressive defending (which occasionally happened in waves) that was the trend in games between well matched teams.

Although I think the rule about not being allowed to tackle a player after a mark isn't good. Also, the rules around winning / taking an advanced mark are unclear or else the refereeing of them is inconsistent.

[SaffronSports]

What is the logic behind a 2-pointer becomes a point only if it touches another player on the way in?