Gaelic Football - Rules & Regulations discussion/clarification

[Armagh18]

Can't captains talk to Refs?

It simply doesn't work in GAA. It's fine in Rugby where the vast majority of the players are along the scrimmage line and so a captain is usually only a few metres away from any infringement. Plus restarts in Rugby take far longer to organise such a scrums or penalties so captains have time to approach refs and make their case or enquire as to foul.

The idea that after a foul the fullback would run out to MF or half-forward line and ask the captain to come in and ask the referee what the foul was for is ridiculous. It's a rule that looks o so clever on paper, in reality it's just bollocks.

Surely any decent ref will let any player ask the question, as long as it's done respectfully obviously, would need to be some p***k of a ref to enforce that rule to the letter. Haven't seen it myself thankfully, most refs don't care who asks unless they're getting roared at, in which case move the ball as far as you like.

[trileacman]

Can't captains talk to Refs?

It simply doesn't work in GAA. It's fine in Rugby where the vast majority of the players are along the scrimmage line and so a captain is usually only a few metres away from any infringement. Plus restarts in Rugby take far longer to organise such a scrums or penalties so captains have time to approach refs and make their case or enquire as to foul.

The idea that after a foul the fullback would run out to MF or half-forward line and ask the captain to come in and ask the referee what the foul was for is ridiculous. It's a rule that looks o so clever on paper, in reality it's just bollocks.

Surely any decent ref will let any player ask the question, as long as it's done respectfully obviously, would need to be some p***k of a ref to enforce that rule to the letter. Haven't seen it myself thankfully, most refs don't care who asks unless they're getting roared at, in which case move the ball as far as you like.

There's enough rules in the book that are routinely ignored by all of us without adding more of them. It's 2025 FFS.

• Teams will nominate a designated player (i.e. captain or his deputy) for the purpose of seeking clarification of a decision made by the referee.

That's the official wording of the rule. So it either has to be enforced or ignored, neither is a proper solution.

[blanketattack]

The more the season wears on the less I believe the FRC really understood what they were at. The simple solution for rewarding the mark is that once the ball is caught cleanly the referee signals that he is playing advantage. The fielding player then has the opportunity to play on, either passing the ball or running forward with it until the ball has moved 40m.

The fielder would have the opportunity to kick the ball long into his forwards, safe in the knowledge that if they don't win it he gets a free out at MF where he caught it. Or he could solo forward with the ball taking men on knowing that if he loses it he still has the free from the mark. If they pass it back or sideways obviously the advantage ends quicker as they aren't using possession to attack.

This suits both teams. Defending teams can still tackle and play aggressively, knowing that the punishment isn't extremely severe and attacking teams are rewarded for attacking and taking risks in possession.

If the ball inside is caught by a forward inside the 14 then has a free shot at goal, safe in the knowledge that he has a forward mark, which he can take safe in the knowledge that he has a free at MF.
It'll be like the movie Inception with Dublin Joe the one with a spinning top😀