National Forum

Can Gaelic Football (Handball?) Be Saved?

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Well put… another good reason taking frees from the ground for scores makes more sense.. cuts out cheating… some players gain 2/3 yards before they shoot taking frees from the hand…!"
One of the first things my old primary school teacher taught us (in the days when all frees were to be taken off the ground) was to steal 3-4 yards when placing the ball

tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1197 - 16/04/2024 03:12:29    2538225

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Replying To GreenMan1987:  "For me Maurice Fitz's ability to take frees from well out the field off the ground with either foot was a big part of the reason I'd rate him as most naturally talented footballer I've seen. Some skill level to do that.

Have any other players ever done this?."
I mean anyone else apart from Maurice Fitz and Shane Walsh (I don't ever remember seeing Shane Walsh do this but maybe I just didn't notice he took a free with other foot).

GreenMan1987 (Meath) - Posts: 50 - 16/04/2024 08:18:33    2538232

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Replying To GreenMan1987:  "I mean anyone else apart from Maurice Fitz and Shane Walsh (I don't ever remember seeing Shane Walsh do this but maybe I just didn't notice he took a free with other foot)."
I have nt seen anyone else doing it.Its an unreal talent.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 16/04/2024 09:11:52    2538251

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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "One of the first things my old primary school teacher taught us (in the days when all frees were to be taken off the ground) was to steal 3-4 yards when placing the ball"
A referee could insist on the placement of a ball on the ground but they never pull up a free from the hands as the player goes on tour before kicking it…

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3027 - 16/04/2024 10:13:43    2538279

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Definition of sport

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

Is gaelic football at county level entertaining?

bert09 (Meath) - Posts: 1807 - 16/04/2024 18:55:50    2538406

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Replying To bert09:  "Definition of sport

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

Is gaelic football at county level entertaining?"
Definitely not…. hence the huge drop off in attendance figures

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3027 - 16/04/2024 22:24:06    2538450

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Teams compete with each other to win!

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1952 - 17/04/2024 00:27:35    2538476

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "You're penalising players that foul when they tackle, not players who tackle. Might help to stop tactical fouling where different players rotate the fouling of a key attacker knowing there will be less risk of a black or yellow card if it's one player repeatedly fouling the key attacker. It might free up a bit of room for attacking teams. And it definitely mightn't either. Depends on the match officials on the day."
Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles).

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 17/04/2024 09:03:53    2538498

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles)."
Good grief!
First we'll save football by making players take frees from the ground.
Now we're to let people foul.....

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1952 - 17/04/2024 10:02:44    2538515

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles)."
Fair point buy you can't reward fouling either. Letting advantage go a bit more might let the game flow more.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 17/04/2024 10:27:22    2538522

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles)."
I know what you re saying but tackling and fouling are two different things.Fouls have to and should be penalised.Good tackling is a great skill.If refs a giving more frees for fouls then more teams might like to take on their markers making the game more exciting and defenders might be afraid to foul thus meaning more scores.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 17/04/2024 10:39:05    2538528

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles)."
I can't even see any valid point here??

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 17/04/2024 11:14:03    2538542

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "I can't even see any valid point here??"
The focus on rule changes needs to be primarily focused on tackling the main issues strangling the life out of our game at present, keep ball/ blanket tactics.

It's the criticism of keep ball/ blanket tactics from GAA people that led to Jarlath Burns has set up a committee.

On a specific level awarding a free in front of goals for fouls that could gave been committed mainly in a different part of the pitch doesn't seem right. You should get frees for specific fouls.

Also on a general level,
Over the years refereeing of matches has been changing in favour of the man in possession over the tackler.
Initially this led to a more open game. But also has left defenders with less options to tackle/ stop opposition players.
Over the years this has helped make blanket defense/ keep ball a more effective way of playing as blocking off space is more effective than putting in a man on man tackles which risk giving away frees and also making holding possession easier than before.

The more defenders feel afraid to committ to tackles for fear of giving away frees the more we encourage blankets.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1400 - 17/04/2024 14:26:45    2538620

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "The focus on rule changes needs to be primarily focused on tackling the main issues strangling the life out of our game at present, keep ball/ blanket tactics.

It's the criticism of keep ball/ blanket tactics from GAA people that led to Jarlath Burns has set up a committee.

On a specific level awarding a free in front of goals for fouls that could gave been committed mainly in a different part of the pitch doesn't seem right. You should get frees for specific fouls.

Also on a general level,
Over the years refereeing of matches has been changing in favour of the man in possession over the tackler.
Initially this led to a more open game. But also has left defenders with less options to tackle/ stop opposition players.
Over the years this has helped make blanket defense/ keep ball a more effective way of playing as blocking off space is more effective than putting in a man on man tackles which risk giving away frees and also making holding possession easier than before.

The more defenders feel afraid to committ to tackles for fear of giving away frees the more we encourage blankets."
They give away frees because they foul. They should know how to tackle eithout fouling at intercounty level. The free in front of goal is for a specific foul. It's for the foul and fouls over a limit where teams take it in turns to foul key attackers and share out the fouls so that neither of them will get carded for it.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7651 - 17/04/2024 14:49:11    2538631

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "The focus on rule changes needs to be primarily focused on tackling the main issues strangling the life out of our game at present, keep ball/ blanket tactics.

It's the criticism of keep ball/ blanket tactics from GAA people that led to Jarlath Burns has set up a committee.

On a specific level awarding a free in front of goals for fouls that could gave been committed mainly in a different part of the pitch doesn't seem right. You should get frees for specific fouls.

Also on a general level,
Over the years refereeing of matches has been changing in favour of the man in possession over the tackler.
Initially this led to a more open game. But also has left defenders with less options to tackle/ stop opposition players.
Over the years this has helped make blanket defense/ keep ball a more effective way of playing as blocking off space is more effective than putting in a man on man tackles which risk giving away frees and also making holding possession easier than before.

The more defenders feel afraid to committ to tackles for fear of giving away frees the more we encourage blankets."
I really cannot see anything valid here. Sorry. You are looking to create over complicated things for issues that are not even there. Man on man is nothing to do with a risk of giving away frees. Blanket defences and extra men back are nothing to do with a fear of tackling. I really don't know where you are coming up with these ideas?

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 17/04/2024 15:10:28    2538638

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Replying To bdbuddah:  "Years ago I may have agreed with this but the way the game has evolved the more I've came to the conclusion that the more we focus on peanilising fouls the more we have encouraged possession football and encouraged teams to play blanket defense (instead of attempting tackles)."
Couldn't agree more with this. Years ago, there was more incentive to tackle as small amounts of pulling and dragging was let go. At the moment, there is not enough incentive to push out and tackle because it is almost impossible to turn someone over without fouling or getting side stepped. It is currently too easy to keep possession

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 377 - 17/04/2024 15:15:47    2538642

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "A referee could insist on the placement of a ball on the ground but they never pull up a free from the hands as the player goes on tour before kicking it…"
Yeah its unreal how many yards are gobbled up taking frees

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4940 - 17/04/2024 15:30:06    2538647

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "Couldn't agree more with this. Years ago, there was more incentive to tackle as small amounts of pulling and dragging was let go. At the moment, there is not enough incentive to push out and tackle because it is almost impossible to turn someone over without fouling or getting side stepped. It is currently too easy to keep possession"
It's nothing to do with fouling. But yes it is the fear of leaving space for scoring chances.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8155 - 17/04/2024 15:48:31    2538652

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The problem as regards fouling is that virtually no contact is allowed at all…. Referees are too quick to stick their arm up in the air when they notice the slightest contact… It's ridiculous.. It's slowly turning into a non contact sport thanks to silly refereeing..!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3027 - 17/04/2024 17:21:16    2538671

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "The problem as regards fouling is that virtually no contact is allowed at all…. Referees are too quick to stick their arm up in the air when they notice the slightest contact… It's ridiculous.. It's slowly turning into a non contact sport thanks to silly refereeing..!"
Rule says you have to tackle the BALL.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1952 - 17/04/2024 18:26:36    2538691

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