|
Replying To Pikeman96: "Just on your point 3 - minimum width of a GAA pitch is 80 metres. Means the 40m arc could indeed be extended to the end lines on even the narrowest club pitch, unless of course that pitch was illegal in the first place.
I happen to think this is one of the few good proposals. Currently, if you're out by the sideline but inside the 20m line, you're still more than 40 metres from goal, but you'd get only one point if you happen to swing the ball over from there - despite how it'd be a more difficult kick that from 40 metres straight in front of the posts." I agree with the difficulty from the "corner" - but is it even kickable? If not, extending arc marking to endline is meaningless. I'm ok too with the 'aesthetic' of ending at the 20 (looks nice, if we get rid of the smaller D).
Quite a while ago, another poster in this fprum mentioned that some club pitches were narrower than 80m - I am/ was unaware of the GAA minimum width, but logically it makes sense to have one.
omahant (USA) - Posts: 3539 - 30/08/2026 17:55:17
2691991
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Pikeman96: "Just on your point 3 - minimum width of a GAA pitch is 80 metres. Means the 40m arc could indeed be extended to the end lines on even the narrowest club pitch, unless of course that pitch was illegal in the first place.
I happen to think this is one of the few good proposals. Currently, if you're out by the sideline but inside the 20m line, you're still more than 40 metres from goal, but you'd get only one point if you happen to swing the ball over from there - despite how it'd be a more difficult kick that from 40 metres straight in front of the posts." The issue with the width of a pitch isn't that the arc won't fit, it's that the playable area within that new 2 point zone will vary significantly between an 80m pitch & a 90m one. (https://x.com/TsuDhoNim/status/2093390272805679479 an illustration of it helps clear up the meaning)
It means if we're playing on a 90m pitch like Tuam I've lots of space to ping passes into you in that new area to take an advanced mark and have a 2 point shot to nothing while retaining possession with the mark, or 2 shots at the 2 if you take the second one on, but if we're playing in a narrow pitch like say MacHale Park that tactic wouldn't be viable with the minimal space to look for the mark.
It's not a deal breaker by any means, but in a game where there's already a significant difference between how a larger or narrower pitch plays (or a harder surface versus a softer one) we're now introducing even more tactical nuances around it.
Nice to clear up all sidelines being worth 2 (they're foot on or outside of that zone anyway so all should have been 2 already), but not sure the variance within that 'extra' zone has more pros than cons.
@omahant: "Not sure I understand - "illegal" ok +50m, but "legal" tackle should be allowed".
Any tackle within 4m of the person taking the mark is illegal in the context there.
At the moment the 50m penalty only applies if the person raises a hand, claims the free kick reward for the mark and then the free kick is delayed. This would return the rule to the original setup where any foul (or tackle within 4m) on the person choosing to play on after a mark is back to 50m rather than a free from the spot.
There's already a 50m penalty for any foul designed to delay, which nearly all fouls on someone playing on from a mark will potentially fall under, so this could easily have been handled with a small tweak to the interpretation around that.
TsuDhoNimh (Mayo) - Posts: 21 - 30/08/2026 18:10:46
2691994
Link
0
|
|
I think most people would have to agree that the quality of football this year was quiet good a big improvement in my opinion,, I can not understand why they even consider bringing in more changes it's become a joke now leave game as is ,, at this stage it's just messing with rules for sake of it ,, think players will just have to say enough is enough at some point at end of day they amateur players
Kickitout (Galway) - Posts: 1172 - 30/08/2026 18:12:12
2691996
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Kickitout: "I think most people would have to agree that the quality of football this year was quiet good a big improvement in my opinion,, I can not understand why they even consider bringing in more changes it's become a joke now leave game as is ,, at this stage it's just messing with rules for sake of it ,, think players will just have to say enough is enough at some point at end of day they amateur players" Players will play under the rules that are passed by Congress.
As it was in the beginning, is now ....
Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 904 - 30/08/2026 18:52:57
2692003
Link
0
|
|
Replying To omahant: "I agree with the difficulty from the "corner" - but is it even kickable? If not, extending arc marking to endline is meaningless. I'm ok too with the 'aesthetic' of ending at the 20 (looks nice, if we get rid of the smaller D).
Quite a while ago, another poster in this fprum mentioned that some club pitches were narrower than 80m - I am/ was unaware of the GAA minimum width, but logically it makes sense to have one." It's the very first rule in Part 2 of the Rule Book, which is the one that deals with the playing of the games themselves (Part 1 is about structures and administration).
1.1 The field of play shall be rectangular, and its dimensions shall be as follows:
Length - 130m minimum and 145m maximum.
Width - 80m minimum and 90m maximum.
Exception: The dimensions may be reduced by local Bye-Laws for Under 15 or younger grades.
If it really is the case that some club pitches are narrower than 80m, as that other poster believes, then those pitches don't comply with rule and really shouldn't be used at all.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3956 - 30/08/2026 20:01:07
2692010
Link
0
|
|
Replying To TsuDhoNimh: "The issue with the width of a pitch isn't that the arc won't fit, it's that the playable area within that new 2 point zone will vary significantly between an 80m pitch & a 90m one. (https://x.com/TsuDhoNim/status/2093390272805679479 an illustration of it helps clear up the meaning)
It means if we're playing on a 90m pitch like Tuam I've lots of space to ping passes into you in that new area to take an advanced mark and have a 2 point shot to nothing while retaining possession with the mark, or 2 shots at the 2 if you take the second one on, but if we're playing in a narrow pitch like say MacHale Park that tactic wouldn't be viable with the minimal space to look for the mark.
It's not a deal breaker by any means, but in a game where there's already a significant difference between how a larger or narrower pitch plays (or a harder surface versus a softer one) we're now introducing even more tactical nuances around it.
Nice to clear up all sidelines being worth 2 (they're foot on or outside of that zone anyway so all should have been 2 already), but not sure the variance within that 'extra' zone has more pros than cons.
@omahant: "Not sure I understand - "illegal" ok +50m, but "legal" tackle should be allowed".
Any tackle within 4m of the person taking the mark is illegal in the context there.
At the moment the 50m penalty only applies if the person raises a hand, claims the free kick reward for the mark and then the free kick is delayed. This would return the rule to the original setup where any foul (or tackle within 4m) on the person choosing to play on after a mark is back to 50m rather than a free from the spot.
There's already a 50m penalty for any foul designed to delay, which nearly all fouls on someone playing on from a mark will potentially fall under, so this could easily have been handled with a small tweak to the interpretation around that." I take your point re. width of pitches but I'd assert that the graphic on the post you link to actually reinforces my point.
Even on a minimum width pitch, kicking a score from one of those light orange areas inside the 20m line would be more difficult than kicking one from the regular green area outside the 20m line and outside the arc. Why then should it be worth only one point when the "easier" kick would be worth two?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3956 - 30/08/2026 20:06:44
2692012
Link
1
|
|
Still no attempt to define the tackle. Many of the suggestions around shot clocks, handpass restrictions, back court etc, are just dealing with the symptoms of not having a tackle properly defined in the game.
The obvious improvements are:
1) No handpassed points out of the hand. An absolute no brainer
2) In addition, there should no goals from a ball put in flight off the hand- that will get rid of the 'walking it into the net' and 'tap-in' type goal. Goals and point s scored with the hand should only be from a ball put in flight from the boot.
3) Change the sanction for technical fouls by players possession, Overcarrying/ steps, throwing the ball, lying on the ball should result in a turnover of possession/indirect free kick not a direct scoring chance. The penalty for a technical foul in your own defensive area is too punitive and as a result many technical fouls are not penalised. Teams will push up much more if there is a realistic chance of a turnover.
5) Address handpassing in deep areas and leave it be up front. Restricting handpassing could work if applied in your own half. For example, if a team brings a ball back inside its own '45 it must be kicked or carried out not handpassed.
4) 100% no to a shot clock
Eddie the Exile (Monaghan) - Posts: 1389 - 30/08/2026 22:15:51
2692029
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Eddie the Exile: "Still no attempt to define the tackle. Many of the suggestions around shot clocks, handpass restrictions, back court etc, are just dealing with the symptoms of not having a tackle properly defined in the game.
The obvious improvements are:
1) No handpassed points out of the hand. An absolute no brainer
2) In addition, there should no goals from a ball put in flight off the hand- that will get rid of the 'walking it into the net' and 'tap-in' type goal. Goals and point s scored with the hand should only be from a ball put in flight from the boot.
3) Change the sanction for technical fouls by players possession, Overcarrying/ steps, throwing the ball, lying on the ball should result in a turnover of possession/indirect free kick not a direct scoring chance. The penalty for a technical foul in your own defensive area is too punitive and as a result many technical fouls are not penalised. Teams will push up much more if there is a realistic chance of a turnover.
5) Address handpassing in deep areas and leave it be up front. Restricting handpassing could work if applied in your own half. For example, if a team brings a ball back inside its own '45 it must be kicked or carried out not handpassed.
4) 100% no to a shot clock" There are some dangers in these rules - which is why they didnt make the first cut - their effect will be minimal (like the advanced mark)
1) No halfway backcourt - I would agree here - expect to see a lot of passing over and back just inside the teams own half.
2) Three consec handpasses - I would have thought chanding hand pass to fist pass would be the first step -
3) 40m arc to end line - Agree with this - who cares if some pitches are narrower - its the same for both teams on the field. _ I would make the sideline kick a 2 pointer also
4) Goals 4 pts - should have been let in in the first place
5) No fisted pts, except "in flight" - Againg - limited them to fisted only, no open palm.
6) Black card, for aggression when opponent NOT in possession - fine with that.
7) Subs 5 to 6 - Disaggree - favours those with bigger panels will mean less kick passing as more players can run more. I'd reduce the number so lads will be more inclinded to "let the ball do the work"
8) Kick outs to outside D, not arc - leave this one alone - we are going backwards with this one. If this need changing its just to make sure the defender is outside the arc when the ball is kicked - ok to collect the ball inside if he starts outside.
9) 4/3 breach free from 13m, not 20m - this one is fine - most of them get moved out to arc anyway,
10) Kick out mark, illegal challenge - a foul is a foul - why a seperate rule for this?
11) Sideline kicks, on or behind line - just enforce the rule thats there.
The bigger problem is the tacke - the tackle allowed in the All IReland final should be the rule - most of Mayos tackling were fouls in the current rules.
"The tackle is a skill by which one or more players may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. A tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. A tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge is forbidden."
In lgfa's new rules, a defender may "use one or both hands to delay an opponent's forward movement if the opponent is in possession of the ball and the contact is made below shoulder height." -
This is precisely how Mayo have been tackling for 15 years. get hands on to slow then player down, then tackle the ball.
The GAA should just implement this tackle and it enforce the prohibition on the "fend off". That incentivies players to puch up and tackle, while ensuring players move the ball fast so as not to invite a tackle.
Below is the tackle that should be allowed.
https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHrOzAVPRNRiwPkYMuVG-S8KF9eEEDbMIxYRPyAmXDwFEvB1AdvAzjjxuR8-spnYrX3LS2t_nxtngnZxviQQC0QXkWTTv8szWZG2lpTuCY9Gd8wBY4bcgHlChoyyFkYKUpMXCfFzdNcWw
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2043 - 31/08/2026 10:05:10
2692062
Link
0
|
|
Replying To tirawleybaron: "There are some dangers in these rules - which is why they didnt make the first cut - their effect will be minimal (like the advanced mark)
1) No halfway backcourt - I would agree here - expect to see a lot of passing over and back just inside the teams own half.
2) Three consec handpasses - I would have thought chanding hand pass to fist pass would be the first step -
3) 40m arc to end line - Agree with this - who cares if some pitches are narrower - its the same for both teams on the field. _ I would make the sideline kick a 2 pointer also
4) Goals 4 pts - should have been let in in the first place
5) No fisted pts, except "in flight" - Againg - limited them to fisted only, no open palm.
6) Black card, for aggression when opponent NOT in possession - fine with that.
7) Subs 5 to 6 - Disaggree - favours those with bigger panels will mean less kick passing as more players can run more. I'd reduce the number so lads will be more inclinded to "let the ball do the work"
8) Kick outs to outside D, not arc - leave this one alone - we are going backwards with this one. If this need changing its just to make sure the defender is outside the arc when the ball is kicked - ok to collect the ball inside if he starts outside.
9) 4/3 breach free from 13m, not 20m - this one is fine - most of them get moved out to arc anyway,
10) Kick out mark, illegal challenge - a foul is a foul - why a seperate rule for this?
11) Sideline kicks, on or behind line - just enforce the rule thats there.
The bigger problem is the tacke - the tackle allowed in the All IReland final should be the rule - most of Mayos tackling were fouls in the current rules.
"The tackle is a skill by which one or more players may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. A tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. A tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge is forbidden."
In lgfa's new rules, a defender may "use one or both hands to delay an opponent's forward movement if the opponent is in possession of the ball and the contact is made below shoulder height." -
This is precisely how Mayo have been tackling for 15 years. get hands on to slow then player down, then tackle the ball.
The GAA should just implement this tackle and it enforce the prohibition on the "fend off". That incentivies players to puch up and tackle, while ensuring players move the ball fast so as not to invite a tackle.
Below is the tackle that should be allowed.
https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHrOzAVPRNRiwPkYMuVG-S8KF9eEEDbMIxYRPyAmXDwFEvB1AdvAzjjxuR8-spnYrX3LS2t_nxtngnZxviQQC0QXkWTTv8szWZG2lpTuCY9Gd8wBY4bcgHlChoyyFkYKUpMXCfFzdNcWw" The GAA are creating 3 problems for every 1 rule change. Let last year's rule settle in for 4-5 years before trying out a hybrid game.
Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2939 - 31/08/2026 11:41:08
2692093
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Viking66: "If there are 3 or 4 tacklers around a fella then there are 2 or 3 free teammates somewhere on the pitch. A good player would find one of these before he gets tackled by 3 or 4 lads in the 1st place." Rubbish, a good hard player winning scrap ball can't even get to his feet with men surrounding him. He gets a hand pass away and is blew up.
Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2939 - 31/08/2026 11:44:39
2692097
Link
1
|
|
Replying To Seanfan: "Tough luck if he hangs around waiting to be surrounded.
Just drop the ball and see what happens." Great coaching, just drop the ball. When he wins it again he still isn't allowed to hand pass it.
Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2939 - 31/08/2026 11:46:32
2692099
Link
0
|
|
Handpass will encounter exactly the same as if it was abolished or changed in hurling. Players are left holding a ball they have no way of playing due to pressure. Only consequence will be unholy mess of rucks.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4548 - 31/08/2026 12:26:25
2692107
Link
0
|
|
Replying To legendzxix: "Great intercounty and club championships - whether you win, lose or draw. However, the GAA is now considering further football rule changes! Among the rules being tested are four points for a goal, restrictions on handpassing and fisting for points, an NBA-style back-court rule and shorter kick-outs.
Could they not just leave it and let teams get to grips with what's there???
No need at all for this. Best championship in years and they go on about changes again. Madness!" Who specifically is driving these additional changes?
I 100% agree that there is no need for all this. Any further changes should see the sport redefined as old era until 2024 and new era rules from 2025. as its a dramatic change.
Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1947 - 31/08/2026 12:51:00
2692118
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Saynothing: "Rubbish, a good hard player winning scrap ball can't even get to his feet with men surrounding him. He gets a hand pass away and is blew up." Again - kick the ball after the second handpass. Save the third one for only if you really need it.
It needs only to be a short kick to somebody maybe only five or ten metres away from you anyway.
But again, it's precisely because of this that I think the proposed change won't actually bring much difference anyway. Teams could still pass the ball around between themselves any number of times, unchallenged, if they're outside the scoring zone. Only difference would be that more of those short unchallenged passes would be kicked passes rather than handpasses.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3956 - 31/08/2026 12:57:28
2692120
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Saynothing: " Replying To tirawleybaron: "There are some dangers in these rules - which is why they didnt make the first cut - their effect will be minimal (like the advanced mark)
1) No halfway backcourt - I would agree here - expect to see a lot of passing over and back just inside the teams own half.
2) Three consec handpasses - I would have thought chanding hand pass to fist pass would be the first step -
3) 40m arc to end line - Agree with this - who cares if some pitches are narrower - its the same for both teams on the field. _ I would make the sideline kick a 2 pointer also
4) Goals 4 pts - should have been let in in the first place
5) No fisted pts, except "in flight" - Againg - limited them to fisted only, no open palm.
6) Black card, for aggression when opponent NOT in possession - fine with that.
7) Subs 5 to 6 - Disaggree - favours those with bigger panels will mean less kick passing as more players can run more. I'd reduce the number so lads will be more inclinded to "let the ball do the work"
8) Kick outs to outside D, not arc - leave this one alone - we are going backwards with this one. If this need changing its just to make sure the defender is outside the arc when the ball is kicked - ok to collect the ball inside if he starts outside.
9) 4/3 breach free from 13m, not 20m - this one is fine - most of them get moved out to arc anyway,
10) Kick out mark, illegal challenge - a foul is a foul - why a seperate rule for this?
11) Sideline kicks, on or behind line - just enforce the rule thats there.
The bigger problem is the tacke - the tackle allowed in the All IReland final should be the rule - most of Mayos tackling were fouls in the current rules.
"<i>The tackle is a skill by which one or more players may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. A tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. A tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge is forbidden.</i>"
In lgfa's new rules, a defender may "<i>use one or both hands to delay an opponent's forward movement if the opponent is in possession of the ball and the contact is made below shoulder height</i>." -
This is precisely how Mayo have been tackling for 15 years. get hands on to slow then player down, then tackle the ball.
The GAA should just implement this tackle and it enforce the prohibition on the "fend off". That incentivies players to puch up and tackle, while ensuring players move the ball fast so as not to invite a tackle.
Below is the tackle that should be allowed.
https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHrOzAVPRNRiwPkYMuVG-S8KF9eEEDbMIxYRPyAmXDwFEvB1AdvAzjjxuR8-spnYrX3LS2t_nxtngnZxviQQC0QXkWTTv8szWZG2lpTuCY9Gd8wBY4bcgHlChoyyFkYKUpMXCfFzdNcWw"</div>The GAA are creating 3 problems for every 1 rule change. Let last year's rule settle in for 4-5 years before trying out a hybrid game." In that situation there was already a ruck anyway?
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20609 - 31/08/2026 13:09:14
2692122
Link
0
|
|
Replying To Saynothing: " Replying To tirawleybaron: "There are some dangers in these rules - which is why they didnt make the first cut - their effect will be minimal (like the advanced mark)
1) No halfway backcourt - I would agree here - expect to see a lot of passing over and back just inside the teams own half.
2) Three consec handpasses - I would have thought chanding hand pass to fist pass would be the first step -
3) 40m arc to end line - Agree with this - who cares if some pitches are narrower - its the same for both teams on the field. _ I would make the sideline kick a 2 pointer also
4) Goals 4 pts - should have been let in in the first place
5) No fisted pts, except "in flight" - Againg - limited them to fisted only, no open palm.
6) Black card, for aggression when opponent NOT in possession - fine with that.
7) Subs 5 to 6 - Disaggree - favours those with bigger panels will mean less kick passing as more players can run more. I'd reduce the number so lads will be more inclinded to "let the ball do the work"
8) Kick outs to outside D, not arc - leave this one alone - we are going backwards with this one. If this need changing its just to make sure the defender is outside the arc when the ball is kicked - ok to collect the ball inside if he starts outside.
9) 4/3 breach free from 13m, not 20m - this one is fine - most of them get moved out to arc anyway,
10) Kick out mark, illegal challenge - a foul is a foul - why a seperate rule for this?
11) Sideline kicks, on or behind line - just enforce the rule thats there.
The bigger problem is the tacke - the tackle allowed in the All IReland final should be the rule - most of Mayos tackling were fouls in the current rules.
"<i>The tackle is a skill by which one or more players may dispossess an opponent or frustrate his objective within the Rules of Fair Play. A tackle is aimed at the ball, not the player. A tackler may use his body to confront the opponent but deliberate bodily contact such as punching, slapping, arm holding, pushing, tripping, jersey pulling or a full frontal charge is forbidden.</i>"
In lgfa's new rules, a defender may "<i>use one or both hands to delay an opponent's forward movement if the opponent is in possession of the ball and the contact is made below shoulder height</i>." -
This is precisely how Mayo have been tackling for 15 years. get hands on to slow then player down, then tackle the ball.
The GAA should just implement this tackle and it enforce the prohibition on the "fend off". That incentivies players to puch up and tackle, while ensuring players move the ball fast so as not to invite a tackle.
Below is the tackle that should be allowed.
https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESaQHrOzAVPRNRiwPkYMuVG-S8KF9eEEDbMIxYRPyAmXDwFEvB1AdvAzjjxuR8-spnYrX3LS2t_nxtngnZxviQQC0QXkWTTv8szWZG2lpTuCY9Gd8wBY4bcgHlChoyyFkYKUpMXCfFzdNcWw"</div>The GAA are creating 3 problems for every 1 rule change. Let last year's rule settle in for 4-5 years before trying out a hybrid game." i would agree with that sentiment by the way except, where there is a significant anomaly. Those anomalies are 1. The tackle - we want refs to allow more physicality in the tackle but the rules dont allow it. It needs to be changed to the new lgfa rules to take out all the debat about frees. If the women can have a properly tackle that can be easily refereed, surely the men can too. 2. The Arc inside the 21 - this is just a total joke. Darragh Bierne kicked a free from this position in the all ireland final and got 1 point - there were 2's handed out for easier ones. Just keep the line going, who cares if its a narrow pitch or not. 2. The kick out - Allow the defender to run from outside the arc to inside it, to pick up a kick out that goes short. He will still be collecting it under pressure, facing his own goal, with no option to give it to the keeper - there just wont be soft score handed out agains the team kicking into the wind. If the defender has the skill to take a ball like that, beat his man and get up field - I want to see that skill, not some handy free. Any of the other mutes changes are just fill out a list - and the proposed kick out change by the committee- no way. leave it alone if your going to do that. So of the 9 changes - only 1 is worth changing (extending the arc), 1 is the wrong proposed change (the kick out distance) and the other 7 area a waste of time. THe tackle isnt even on their list, but it is the route cause of 95% of the drama in GAA.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2043 - 31/08/2026 14:46:18
2692146
Link
0
|