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Is There A Workable Solution To Limiting Handpasses In Football?

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Replying To omahant:  "Three hand pass limit, where the 3rd can't be caught - just punched/ palmed on for a goal (or pass) ?

So you keep your 1-2 throughout the field and the 3rd, most likely, only used for that scoring opportunity."
There is negative commentary on the endless handpassing. I was merely suggesting that an old one-two and setting up a goal should be catered for at a minimum.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8464 - 30/01/2025 15:53:35    2588525

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If refs can't count steps, how in the name of god do you expect them to count handpasses?

StockholmGael (Donegal) - Posts: 136 - 30/01/2025 15:55:56    2588527

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "We have barely started the new rules and people are still posting stupid suggestions. Like absolutely daft stuff. We never stop whinging."
This is it.

Like what do people want exactly? What constitutes playing the game "the way it should be played?"

I'm always minded of a famous Noel Gallagher interview when talking about consumers.

"The consumer didn't ******* want Jimi Hendrix. But they got him, and it changed the world. And the consumer didn't want St. Peppers, but they got it. And they didn't want the Sex Pistols, but they got it.
**** the customer. The customer doens't know what he wants. You ******* give it to him. And he likes it!

When you see a game like Crokes v Errigal Ciaran which was played recently (under the old rules as well I may add), the only conclusion that could be drawn was that there's little wrong with the rules. And that in reality, you'll get a damn good game if teams are allowed to express themselves and aren't over-coached to death.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9567 - 30/01/2025 16:19:18    2588529

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it.

Like what do people want exactly? What constitutes playing the game "the way it should be played?"

I'm always minded of a famous Noel Gallagher interview when talking about consumers.

"The consumer didn't ******* want Jimi Hendrix. But they got him, and it changed the world. And the consumer didn't want St. Peppers, but they got it. And they didn't want the Sex Pistols, but they got it.
**** the customer. The customer doens't know what he wants. You ******* give it to him. And he likes it!

When you see a game like Crokes v Errigal Ciaran which was played recently (under the old rules as well I may add), the only conclusion that could be drawn was that there's little wrong with the rules. And that in reality, you'll get a damn good game if teams are allowed to express themselves and aren't over-coached to death."
100 per cent. Everyone picks out a low scoring game that was defensive and ignores the majority of games which are actually good. We are never happy.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8222 - 30/01/2025 17:03:25    2588534

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it.

Like what do people want exactly? What constitutes playing the game "the way it should be played?"

I'm always minded of a famous Noel Gallagher interview when talking about consumers.

"The consumer didn't ******* want Jimi Hendrix. But they got him, and it changed the world. And the consumer didn't want St. Peppers, but they got it. And they didn't want the Sex Pistols, but they got it.
**** the customer. The customer doens't know what he wants. You ******* give it to him. And he likes it!

When you see a game like Crokes v Errigal Ciaran which was played recently (under the old rules as well I may add), the only conclusion that could be drawn was that there's little wrong with the rules. And that in reality, you'll get a damn good game if teams are allowed to express themselves and aren't over-coached to death."
As I have said here hundreds of times… there is nothing wrong with the game in its original form.. it's the paid coaches that have it ruined… No amount of rule changes will have any major impact as these coaches will work out away to try and not loose games instead of playing to win… All these changes down the years have done nothing to improve the game… in fact most of them have made it worse and now they think a clatter of changes at the one time is going to solve the problem… No chance.. this FRC have ruined the game for ever…!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3377 - 30/01/2025 17:14:56    2588537

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it.

Like what do people want exactly? What constitutes playing the game "the way it should be played?"

I'm always minded of a famous Noel Gallagher interview when talking about consumers.

"The consumer didn't ******* want Jimi Hendrix. But they got him, and it changed the world. And the consumer didn't want St. Peppers, but they got it. And they didn't want the Sex Pistols, but they got it.
**** the customer. The customer doens't know what he wants. You ******* give it to him. And he likes it!

When you see a game like Crokes v Errigal Ciaran which was played recently (under the old rules as well I may add), the only conclusion that could be drawn was that there's little wrong with the rules. And that in reality, you'll get a damn good game if teams are allowed to express themselves and aren't over-coached to death."
That's a great post with a great quote.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14443 - 30/01/2025 17:17:00    2588538

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "100 per cent. Everyone picks out a low scoring game that was defensive and ignores the majority of games which are actually good. We are never happy."
Watching two teams outwit each other is as entertaining as a high scoring match. People here don't mind going over the water to watch 0-0 games yet complain about our own games. If Tyrone beat Mayo or vice Verda would many Tyrone or Mayo people be complaining? Doubt it. Or if Cavan win the All Ireland 1 point to no score would our Cavan complainer complain? Probably.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2188 - 30/01/2025 22:30:51    2588556

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "As I have said here hundreds of times… there is nothing wrong with the game in its original form.. it's the paid coaches that have it ruined… No amount of rule changes will have any major impact as these coaches will work out away to try and not loose games instead of playing to win… All these changes down the years have done nothing to improve the game… in fact most of them have made it worse and now they think a clatter of changes at the one time is going to solve the problem… No chance.. this FRC have ruined the game for ever…!"
Original form!!!
21 aside, point posts, wrestling.....

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2049 - 30/01/2025 23:39:19    2588561

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Original form!!!
21 aside, point posts, wrestling....."
We don't have to go back that far…. Everyone is not as ancient as you….

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3377 - 31/01/2025 07:14:26    2588566

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Replying To Saynothing:  "Watching two teams outwit each other is as entertaining as a high scoring match. People here don't mind going over the water to watch 0-0 games yet complain about our own games. If Tyrone beat Mayo or vice Verda would many Tyrone or Mayo people be complaining? Doubt it. Or if Cavan win the All Ireland 1 point to no score would our Cavan complainer complain? Probably."
That's a typical Tyrone score line and nobody in their right mind would want to see a match like that .. unless you're from Tyrone of course…. The hand ballers of the country

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3377 - 31/01/2025 07:17:48    2588567

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "We don't have to go back that far…. Everyone is not as ancient as you…."
I think the point is that the game has evolved continuously since the foundation of the GAA?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14443 - 31/01/2025 08:36:03    2588578

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Replying To Viking66:  "I think the point is that the game has evolved continuously since the foundation of the GAA?"
I agree with that but the raft of recent changes is just way over the top…. No other sport in the world has implemented so many changes to their game.. Absolutely no need for the half of them…. Just more need for coaches who haven't 'A win at all costs' attitude….

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3377 - 31/01/2025 10:18:35    2588591

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Replying To Canuck:  "Simple if you get one you can't give one. Nothing worse than seeing 10 in a row in a sport called " foot " ball."
Absolutely agree.

What could be simpler: "you get a handpass, you can't give a handpass".

Let's tackle the elephant in the room and get back to football.

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 316 - 31/01/2025 11:06:10    2588602

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Replying To legendzxix:  "Definitely wouldn't be looking at restricting players moving with the ball. The endless handpassing is what is driving many berserk!
Limiting to 3 handpasses allows the attacking one-two and the extra pass to setup a goal. I think it should be manageable for a referee to track three players receiving from consecutive handpasses without any solos involved.
There is already the concept of a solo and go. Just looking at the possibility of bringing in at least a solo to reset the count.
1. Player 1 receives from a handpass. Count 1.
2. Player 1 handpasses to another player without soloing. Count 2.
3. Player 2 handpasses back to Player 1 or to Player 3 without soloing. Count 3.
4. Player 1 or 3 in possession after count 3 cannot handpass unless they at least solo. Otherwise they must kick."
But referees can't count to four - we know this.

So, let's keep it as simple as possible: "if you receive a handpass, you cannot give a handpass".

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 316 - 31/01/2025 11:10:30    2588603

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "This is it.

Like what do people want exactly? What constitutes playing the game "the way it should be played?"

I'm always minded of a famous Noel Gallagher interview when talking about consumers.

"The consumer didn't ******* want Jimi Hendrix. But they got him, and it changed the world. And the consumer didn't want St. Peppers, but they got it. And they didn't want the Sex Pistols, but they got it.
**** the customer. The customer doens't know what he wants. You ******* give it to him. And he likes it!

When you see a game like Crokes v Errigal Ciaran which was played recently (under the old rules as well I may add), the only conclusion that could be drawn was that there's little wrong with the rules. And that in reality, you'll get a damn good game if teams are allowed to express themselves and aren't over-coached to death."
Crokes v E Ciaran was a good game. But, maybe it would have been an even better game if it did not have so many handpasses? And, do we have to endure 10 awful games for every 1 good game?

The REALITY (your word) is there are about 4 times as many handpasses as kicks in ALL inter county games. Do you think this is a good thing?

Aibrean (Kerry) - Posts: 316 - 31/01/2025 11:26:23    2588607

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "I agree with that but the raft of recent changes is just way over the top…. No other sport in the world has implemented so many changes to their game.. Absolutely no need for the half of them…. Just more need for coaches who haven't 'A win at all costs' attitude…."
All players want to win. So any good coach will want to win, or he wont get a job.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 14443 - 31/01/2025 12:14:02    2588612

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Replying To Aibrean:  "Crokes v E Ciaran was a good game. But, maybe it would have been an even better game if it did not have so many handpasses? And, do we have to endure 10 awful games for every 1 good game?

The REALITY (your word) is there are about 4 times as many handpasses as kicks in ALL inter county games. Do you think this is a good thing?"
First of all if your assessment is that there are 10 awful games for every good game you are probably not going to be satisfied anyhow.
Restricting hand passes will mean that it will be a bit more difficult for teams to negatively go back and forth but if the hand pass is restricted it will also take a lot of the dynamic positive "running off the shoulder" attacking out of the game.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 833 - 31/01/2025 12:25:30    2588618

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Replying To Viking66:  "All players want to win. So any good coach will want to win, or he wont get a job."
Of course every player in all sports wants to win but the rot set in when the GAA chose to turn a blind eye to coaches and managers all over the country getting paid…. All club and county football destroyed because of paid coaches wanting to justify their under the table payments… The big wigs turned a blind eye and now want the rules to be drastically changed as nobody was arsed to pay in and witness the rubbish on show….while in the meantime the paid managerial merry go round continues at a pace… Revenue really needs to get a hold of this runaway train

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3377 - 31/01/2025 13:25:45    2588631

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Replying To Aibrean:  "But referees can't count to four - we know this.

So, let's keep it as simple as possible: "if you receive a handpass, you cannot give a handpass"."
Maybe it is the solution. If handpassing is such a blight, maybe such a draconian measure is the only option. Consecutive hops are not allowed. Consecutive handpasses not allowed possibly is the only option.
I think soloing the ball should reset the count but whether that is implementable or not...
When a player receives from a handpass and goes on a solo run, seems restrictive not to allow that player handpass. Player 1 without even a solo handpasses to Player 2, Player 2 should at least solo before handpassing off. Soloing is a foot action. Solo and go has come in. It shouldn't be too difficult for a referee to track two players not at least soloing?

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8464 - 31/01/2025 13:59:25    2588638

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Replying To Aibrean:  "Crokes v E Ciaran was a good game. But, maybe it would have been an even better game if it did not have so many handpasses? And, do we have to endure 10 awful games for every 1 good game?

The REALITY (your word) is there are about 4 times as many handpasses as kicks in ALL inter county games. Do you think this is a good thing?"
To be honest I'm not all that perturbed about there being more handpasses than kick passes. Maybe it's just me, and the way I was brought up here in Donegal where we've traditionally played a fast through-the-hands game.

I agree that the monotonous over and back hand passing is a tough watch. But when you see a nice fast attack built through quick hand passing, slicing through a defence & resulting in a score, it's just as exciting as a long, direct, diagonal ball played inside early resulting in a score.


I remember some years ago Donegal played Fermanagh in the Ulster Championship. Donegal ripped through their defence with a flurry of quick handpasses on two occasions, and Odhran MacNiallais brilliantly finished off two goals.

https://youtu.be/AS9AviO-oYg?si=Y-an4PFhwbGxuLy_

I can't find a clip of the other goal. But it was similarly set up with intricate fast hand passes and he blasted into the top corner via the cross bar.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9567 - 31/01/2025 14:40:45    2588642

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