Messages

["When scoring is too easy, the best way to defend is to deny the opposition the ball."]

EoinW it looks like you're already setting up camp for the summer in the same place as you did last year, among the woods but unable to see the trees.

"When scoring is too easy, the best way to defend is to deny the opposition the ball."

You just don't seem to get it at all.

The changes to the kickout rules and the removal of the keeper from open play means there is no guaranteed way to re-secure possession after any score or wide.

So when in the closing minutes of a game, there will continue to be an obvious incentive to protect a slender lead through possession (with 11 men instead of 15 making it a tougher ask btw). But there is now limited incentive to do so earlier in the game. If you're still inclined, you can f**k around with the ball for minutes at a time if you like. The difference being that your opponents, with an aggressive game plan, need to make just one turnover and can then viably post a big lead in just 3-4 minutes of play, thereby rendering your pishy "tactics" obsolete.

Love your opening line.  Well played!  Nice to know I haven't been forgotten.

I shall try not to beat a dead horse.  I haven't paid much attention to details but from what I've seen the past two weekends the game looks exactly the same as last year.  To make so many massive changes to the game yet get it so right that all new rules are retained...such infallibility!  Send the FRC to Vatican City!

Regarding your point, even with the kickout rules teams will get possession sooner or later.  I was surprised watching Donegal the 2nd half Sunday.  Holding a 6 point lead, I thought the smart play was to retain possession 2-5 minutes each time.  Just enough to shorten the game.  Yet that evil genius Jim McGuinness didn't do that at all.  I don't think Donegal ever held possession for more than a minute.  Made for a better game to watch.  Also left Kerry in it for a chance of a tying goal at the hooter.

As already pointed out, with no basketball "back over" rule, I imagine it'd be easy to train for a possession game that really "takes the air out of the ball".  I don't wish to see this but I've seen defensive/possession strategies drag down sports like box lacrosse and hockey.

One last thing, then I'll try to shut up.  The problems facing football were too many hand passes and too much possession.  It's puzzling that in all these rule changes there wasn't a single one to restrict or limit hand passing.  Seems that the FRC's ulterior motive was to just make the game higher scoring,  Yet scoring was in the teens, historically where it has always been.

I'm often wrong.  Try not to hate me for it. My conclusion is that creating hurling scorelines is a cover to distract one from the fact they never addressed the hand passing/possession problem at all.  I fear that time and innovative managers will make this apparent to all.

Why can you not go backwards on a solo and go. Surely there are times when that would be advantageous to not have to try and go through a couple of groups of players or to make a better angle for a pass.

It was to promote forward play, the minute you encourage players to take the safe route they'll take it, possession is key, and that's why we've had the changes. to come away from the safe option and provide excitement

Summed up nicely.

The new rules were devise largely to restore the balance of territory vs possession. Any rule change that promotes possession would fly in the face of what's trying to be achieved.

Which brings us to the 2 point rule.  I understand that the rule encourages shots on goal.  In that light it discourages possession.  However what we are seeing is teams recycle the ball outside the arc.  It certainly discourages the long ball into goal.  Why risk losing possession for a chance of a goal(3 pts) when you can retain possession outside and wait for your designated 2 pt shooter to get an open shot?

I can't help but think the rule changes will eventually make it more of a possession game than ever.  When scoring is too easy, the best way to defend is to deny the opposition the ball.

I keep being surprised by how many low quality 1 pt shots are being attempted or how often speculative passes are made towards goal.  I guess old habits die hard.  Makes for entertaining play now but how long before managers get a handle on things and get their players under control?

The simple truth is that managers micro managing games was part of the natural evolution of Gaelic football.  There were no rule changes which created this.  Therefore you can expect the new rules to eventually share the same fate.

A question on the 2 pointers.  Am I the only one who thinks 3v3 violations being punished by 2 pts to be too extreme?  If a team violates with TWO players should the opposition be awarded a penalty?

Also, couldn't they have compromised on the 2 pt idea by abolishing the 2 pt frees?  It's only a matter of time before every team has a Sean O'Se and 2 point frees begin to look as routine as a conversion in American football.