National Forum

Get Rid Of The Square Ball Rule

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Replying To Lockerroomboy:  "That doesn't mean refree was correct,"
I think the problem here is it is virtually impossible for the ref to know if he is correct or not so he just goes by his first instinct. TV replays would indicate the ref got the Cork "square ball" correct, but more luck than judgement

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 678 - 24/02/2023 19:14:50    2460060

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When was last controversy involving a square ball in a championship game?

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 24/02/2023 19:22:33    2460061

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Replying To PK57:  "What is the point of a rule that either isn't properly enforced or is often wrongly called because the umpires are guessing if a player is inside before the ball was kicked."
Agree totally. Make it an offence to tackle the goalkeeper in the small square and the need for the rule largely disappears. Obviously, goals like Sean Quigleys versus Dublin would be a free out. It would be easier to referee though.

Fontofwisdom (Cavan) - Posts: 128 - 24/02/2023 21:36:53    2460072

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When is rule not properly enforced? Some lads love to whinge about nothing.

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1489 - 25/02/2023 12:11:27    2460099

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Lads what is the exact ruling?Is there a link to it on the Official Guide

10DLSAM (Derry) - Posts: 264 - 07/05/2023 16:43:09    2476445

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People here are calling to change or scrap the rule without knowing the rules and it already is an offence to tackle the goalkeeper in the small square

Square ball rule is

A player may enter the opponents' small rectangle:

DURING PLAY (FOOTBALL) - After the final play of the ball into the small rectangle

SET PLAY (FOOTBALL) - After the ball enters the small rectangle

HURLING - After the ball enters the small rectangle

(i) If an attacking player legally enters the small rectangle, and the ball is played from it but returned before the attacking player has time to leave, a foul is not committed if he does not play the ball or interfere with the defence.

(ii) When a point is scored and the ball is sufficiently high to be out of reach of the players and so long as the player in the small rectangle has not interfered with the defence then the point scored should be allowed.

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 442 - 09/05/2023 11:47:09    2476981

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Replying To muscles:  "People here are calling to change or scrap the rule without knowing the rules and it already is an offence to tackle the goalkeeper in the small square

Square ball rule is

A player may enter the opponents' small rectangle:

DURING PLAY (FOOTBALL) - After the final play of the ball into the small rectangle

SET PLAY (FOOTBALL) - After the ball enters the small rectangle

HURLING - After the ball enters the small rectangle

(i) If an attacking player legally enters the small rectangle, and the ball is played from it but returned before the attacking player has time to leave, a foul is not committed if he does not play the ball or interfere with the defence.

(ii) When a point is scored and the ball is sufficiently high to be out of reach of the players and so long as the player in the small rectangle has not interfered with the defence then the point scored should be allowed."
"When a point is scored and the ball is sufficiently high to be out of reach of the players and so long as the player in the small rectangle has not interfered with the defence then the point scored should be allowed."

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The hurling version above is sensible.

It seems that nothing as sensible applies in Gaelic football.

In the Tyrone county championship last weekend, a long-range point was disallowed for a square ball, even though the point was high and the infringing attacking player, while he was technically inside, did not interfere, and in fact was irrelevant (as were all the players) - all anyone could do was watch the ball going over.

Refs played advantage informally in Gaelic football for years before the advantage rule was belatedly introduced.

Perhaps it's time the football square ball rule was amended to the hurling version.

points50swiththeargyllsonthewrongfeet (Tyrone) - Posts: 239 - 02/10/2023 18:49:12    2506687

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