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The lgfa have introduced a raft of changes to the sport, essentially copying and pasting the mens frc changes.
This has resulted in an improved season but a bad final. Followed by calls for more changes.
The ladies games suffers from a series of issues, most of which start at underage.
Go games has haf a huge impact on ladies football playing numbers U12, but the way the game is coached and played results in significant drop off.
Problem no 1 : physicality -
The biggest problem has been that referees who ref the mens game, then ref the ladies game and dont call frees for tackles which ate frees in lgfa, but npt in GAA. Unfortunatley, the lgfa decided to chsnge to the mens rules for tackling, instead of getting refs to properly impliment the lgfa tackle.
This has resulted in increased physicality , favouring the less skillful player - a step backwards in having a skillful game.
Problem 2: "low block defending"
At club level, particularly underage, the quality of goalkeeping is poor. To compensate and keep the no of goals conceeded down, teams block up the goal area. This is now coached into girls from a young age, safe in the knowledge that the majority of teams have very limited ability to kick points from long range.
Thr lgfa have adopted the mens 2 point arc, which has had limited impact at adult intercounty and no impact at underage. This will change at adult intercounty level but not at club and definitely not at underage.
Problem 3 : limited kick passing
Kicking is the hardest part of the game. At club level, a very athletic girl can run the length of the field uninhibited. These athletic girls inevitably get "played up" by virtue of this ability, essentially disencentivising kick passing, as those that do less of it play up age groups or play county.
Coaches often reward athletisism and physical power over mastery of basic skills.
The solution
Problem 1: stick to the original lgfa tackle - give more opportunities to smaller, skillful players
Problem 2 : adopt the Kerry U14 rules at all lgfa underage levels : i.e. stop counting goals, once a team has reached 5 - every goal after 5 is valued as 1 point.
Adjust the 3 up rule to 4 up (or more if required).
Problem 3: limit all lgfa football up to U16 to 2 plays maximum. Looking for a kick pass option rather than a solo run needs to be enforced underage so it muscle memory for players moving to senior level.
The 40m arc is too far out to impact lgfa as well as it did in GAA. Rather than have another line 5m inside it, the lgfa should just up the value of it to 3 points. There are more goals scored than 40m shots, therefore having the harder skill valued at 3 points shouldnt be controversial.
They also need to ban the backpass to the goalie, thus promoting the offensive press defense, rather than the "low block"
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2044 - 03/08/2026 16:39:34
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "The lgfa have introduced a raft of changes to the sport, essentially copying and pasting the mens frc changes.
This has resulted in an improved season but a bad final. Followed by calls for more changes.
The ladies games suffers from a series of issues, most of which start at underage.
Go games has haf a huge impact on ladies football playing numbers U12, but the way the game is coached and played results in significant drop off.
Problem no 1 : physicality -
The biggest problem has been that referees who ref the mens game, then ref the ladies game and dont call frees for tackles which ate frees in lgfa, but npt in GAA. Unfortunatley, the lgfa decided to chsnge to the mens rules for tackling, instead of getting refs to properly impliment the lgfa tackle.
This has resulted in increased physicality , favouring the less skillful player - a step backwards in having a skillful game.
Problem 2: "low block defending"
At club level, particularly underage, the quality of goalkeeping is poor. To compensate and keep the no of goals conceeded down, teams block up the goal area. This is now coached into girls from a young age, safe in the knowledge that the majority of teams have very limited ability to kick points from long range.
Thr lgfa have adopted the mens 2 point arc, which has had limited impact at adult intercounty and no impact at underage. This will change at adult intercounty level but not at club and definitely not at underage.
Problem 3 : limited kick passing
Kicking is the hardest part of the game. At club level, a very athletic girl can run the length of the field uninhibited. These athletic girls inevitably get "played up" by virtue of this ability, essentially disencentivising kick passing, as those that do less of it play up age groups or play county.
Coaches often reward athletisism and physical power over mastery of basic skills.
The solution
Problem 1: stick to the original lgfa tackle - give more opportunities to smaller, skillful players
Problem 2 : adopt the Kerry U14 rules at all lgfa underage levels : i.e. stop counting goals, once a team has reached 5 - every goal after 5 is valued as 1 point.
Adjust the 3 up rule to 4 up (or more if required).
Problem 3: limit all lgfa football up to U16 to 2 plays maximum. Looking for a kick pass option rather than a solo run needs to be enforced underage so it muscle memory for players moving to senior level.
The 40m arc is too far out to impact lgfa as well as it did in GAA. Rather than have another line 5m inside it, the lgfa should just up the value of it to 3 points. There are more goals scored than 40m shots, therefore having the harder skill valued at 3 points shouldnt be controversial.
They also need to ban the backpass to the goalie, thus promoting the offensive press defense, rather than the "low block"" Solution 1 - Keep it more physical. Young men and boys go into senior football underdeveloped but they have to find ways to use it to their advantage. Ive been to many games where very good defenders are giving away frees every time because of the no contact rule. Eventually the skillful and small girls will get used to it and adapt making it a far more enjoyable game rather than a free every 20 seconds.
Solution 2- I agree thats a huge problem at ladies club games if they turn over the ball nearly the whole team sit back and stay at the arc rather than help their team attack. 99% of girls wont hit a 2pt unless a huge wind. Honestly dont know what the solution is there.
Solution 3 - I agree with your point 100% the standard of kickpassing is so poor as club senior level. Ive been at juvenile games a really good player runs the lenght of field and scores every time. Rest of girls are told to get out of her way as she has full touches.
Farneyarmy2013 (Monaghan) - Posts: 58 - 18/08/2026 10:56:56
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Replying To Farneyarmy2013: "Solution 1 - Keep it more physical. Young men and boys go into senior football underdeveloped but they have to find ways to use it to their advantage. Ive been to many games where very good defenders are giving away frees every time because of the no contact rule. Eventually the skillful and small girls will get used to it and adapt making it a far more enjoyable game rather than a free every 20 seconds.
Solution 2- I agree thats a huge problem at ladies club games if they turn over the ball nearly the whole team sit back and stay at the arc rather than help their team attack. 99% of girls wont hit a 2pt unless a huge wind. Honestly dont know what the solution is there.
Solution 3 - I agree with your point 100% the standard of kickpassing is so poor as club senior level. Ive been at juvenile games a really good player runs the lenght of field and scores every time. Rest of girls are told to get out of her way as she has full touches." Some girls, including underage, are well capable of kicking 2 pointers.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8750 - 18/08/2026 14:03:58
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Some girls, including underage, are well capable of kicking 2 pointers." Ladies 2-pointers - maybe a broken line inside the 40m arc at the apex of the D (33m out) to the arc?
For cleanup, the D should be removed.
omahant (USA) - Posts: 3543 - 19/08/2026 15:43:20
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Replying To omahant: "Ladies 2-pointers - maybe a broken line inside the 40m arc at the apex of the D (33m out) to the arc?
For cleanup, the D should be removed." Why would you have a shorter distance for ladies when some can kick 40 metre points and others will be doing it after a bit of work on it?
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8750 - 19/08/2026 17:52:53
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Replying To omahant: "Ladies 2-pointers - maybe a broken line inside the 40m arc at the apex of the D (33m out) to the arc?
For cleanup, the D should be removed." THe only purpose of the D is for penalties.
The need for the 21 is questionable at best.
Why not get rid of both and put in a 30m arc to cover both
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 2044 - 19/08/2026 17:53:01
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Surely with the new square ball rule - the whole gig in ladies should be big girl in square and put the gk under pressure
Paidi04 (Westmeath) - Posts: 13 - 03/09/2026 04:27:27
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "THe only purpose of the D is for penalties.
The need for the 21 is questionable at best.
Why not get rid of both and put in a 30m arc to cover both" That 'D' plays an important role in penalties all the same.
And as for the 21-yard (i.e. 20 metre) line, the need for it may be questionable in most places where you are, but I think you'll find it's fairly crucial in hurling!
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3972 - 03/09/2026 10:31:32
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Some girls, including underage, are well capable of kicking 2 pointers." Speaking as someone who attends a lot of ladies games that is not even close to factual. My local club are senior and division 1 and there has been two 2 pointer scored during their home games. That's 5 league games , 3 championship and 2 Gaeltacht games. Two in total.
There's barely any at inter county also.
TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8922 - 03/09/2026 11:00:53
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Replying To TheFlaker: "Speaking as someone who attends a lot of ladies games that is not even close to factual. My local club are senior and division 1 and there has been two 2 pointer scored during their home games. That's 5 league games , 3 championship and 2 Gaeltacht games. Two in total.
There's barely any at inter county also." Have to agree with that. Have been a good few ladies games this year at both club and county and have only seen one 2 pinter kicked
Thejampot (Leitrim) - Posts: 416 - 03/09/2026 13:28:49
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Replying To GreenandRed: "Some girls, including underage, are well capable of kicking 2 pointers." Zero 2 pointers at underage. Zero.
TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8922 - 03/09/2026 14:32:02
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Replying To TheFlaker: "Speaking as someone who attends a lot of ladies games that is not even close to factual. My local club are senior and division 1 and there has been two 2 pointer scored during their home games. That's 5 league games , 3 championship and 2 Gaeltacht games. Two in total.
There's barely any at inter county also." 'Some girls'. Easy enough to understand. Is 40 metres different for LGFA in senior and different again for Division 1?
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8750 - 03/09/2026 14:41:05
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Replying To Thejampot: "Have to agree with that. Have been a good few ladies games this year at both club and county and have only seen one 2 pinter kicked" Here is a couple for you
https://www.facebook.com/LadiesGaelicFootball/videos/two-2-pointers-in-one-half-for-westmeath-the-first-time-in-the-ladies-game-from-/1736318470697441
ExiledCuCu (Cavan) - Posts: 309 - 03/09/2026 15:18:51
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Replying To ExiledCuCu: "Here is a couple for you
https://www.facebook.com/LadiesGaelicFootball/videos/two-2-pointers-in-one-half-for-westmeath-the-first-time-in-the-ladies-game-from-/1736318470697441" I'm not saying there are none but i would say less than 20 across all divisions and championship in inter county.
TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8922 - 03/09/2026 15:27:51
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