Square Ball.....

[David McKeown]

AzOffally

I was with you about linesmen not being allowed to call a square ball, however as some one pointed out on another thread the rule book says they are.  Can't remember the exact wording but its something to the effect that umpires are to bring to the attention of the referee any instances of foul play.  Technical infringements are then classed as foul play under the rules and a square ball is a technical infringement.

The problem I have with this is that at our level of the game (Intermediate Armagh club) quite often the umpires will be from the respective clubs competing.  As a result the umpires can not be expected to be impartial, now don't get me wrong i'm not saying they set out to cheat but they will always give the benefit of the doubt their teams way.  This effected us in the B championships a few years ago when we scored a perfectly good goal in the semi finals, none of their players had an issue with the goal as our men were both outside the big square and the ref was in there half such was the speed of the break.  The ref originally allowed the goal only for their umpire to run out half the pitch to tell him it was square ball.  As he was too far away to argue he agreed we went on to loose the second replay by a point.

So allowing umpires to call as with tv technology can not be used at all levels of the game and a solution that can needs to be found

[Minus15]

In my opinion talk about the introduction of a video umpire is extremely nonsensical. If a solution is to be found it needs to be applicable across all grades and levels of football. It is obvious that leaving the decision on whether to rule a square ball or not to the referee is far from ideal as the referee will be too far away. In truth, from my own experience it is a complete lottery when the ball goes into the square and, being a defender, just hope the decision goes my way. If it doesn't then I know there is little point in arguing because I don't even know myself.

My feelings on what could be done are that a rule should be brought in stating that if the attacking player is static  in the square at any time prior to the ball arriving in the square then it should be deemed square ball. If a player has run in and is on teh move when the ball arrives then there should't be a problem. If a player challenges a goalkeeper from a standing start this too should be deemed a square ball. Surely both referees and umpires would be able to make decisions if these were the rules. What do you think of this?

[Pangurban]

Lads we are reaching the stage where rather than the Square Ball or any other disputed rule being a problem, it is forums like this that are causing problems. The square ball rule has existed for years, has been applied and misapplied just like any other rule, why suddenly it is a major problem,in need of resolution

[J70]

Lads we are reaching the stage where rather than the Square Ball or any other disputed rule being a problem, it is forums like this that are causing problems. The square ball rule has existed for years, has been applied and misapplied just like any other rule, why suddenly it is a major problem,in need of resolution

Its one of the topics of the moment after three high profile cases in the last two weekends.

The next bit of controversy in Armagh, Tyrone or Dublin fixtures will bring outcries about different issues.

[Declan]

Its one of the topics of the moment after three high profile cases in the last two weekends.

Heard Dessie Farrell on Newstalk last night suggesting that it needs to be looked at as well.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

My feelings on what could be done are that a rule should be brought in stating that if the attacking player is static  in the square at any time prior to the ball arriving in the square then it should be deemed square ball. If a player has run in and is on teh move when the ball arrives then there should't be a problem. If a player challenges a goalkeeper from a standing start this too should be deemed a square ball. Surely both referees and umpires would be able to make decisions if these were the rules. What do you think of this?

Potentially murky Minus15, i.e., what constitutes being static exactly? And what if the forward keeps moving but in circles/semi-circles/arcs around the keeper? Or moves very slowly in a straight line initially, etc.  Not easy.