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Some Updates On The Football Review

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Over the years, tactics have evolved from traditional attacking play to more structured defensive systems. : Traditional Game Defensive Tactics - Man-to-Man Marking Each defender marks a specific opponent, staying close to deny space. Requires speed and awareness to track runs and stop forwards from scoring. Midfield Strategies - 1. Dominating Kick-Outs Teams try to win primary possession from kick-outs to control the game. Goalkeepers aim for long kick-outs. 2. Breaking Ball Strategy If midfielders can't catch cleanly, they aim to knock the ball down to teammates. Half-forwards and half-backs must be ready to pick up loose possession. Attacking Tactics - Kick-Passing Game Uses long, accurate kicks to move the ball quickly to forwards. A traditional style that is fast and direct. Requires forwards with strong fielding ability to win possession. Game Management - none worth talking about Modern Game 2011-2020 Defensive tactics 1. The Sweeper System A free defender (sweeper) drops behind the main defensive line to cover space and intercept attacks. Helps protect against direct balls into the full-forward line. Used effectively by Dublin (2011-2020). 2. The Blanket Defense All players drop back into their own half, creating a wall of defenders. Forces opponents to take long shots or break down the defense with fast passing. Used by Donegal (2012) to win the All-Ireland title, Midfield Strategies - Short Kick-Outs Used to retain possession by playing short passes to defenders instead of contesting high balls. Goalkeepers like Stephen Cluxton (Dublin) revolutionized this tactic. Attacking Tactics - Fast Counter-Attacks Teams defend deep and break forward at speed when they win possession. Uses runners from midfield and half-backs to exploit gaps in the opposition's defense. Teams like Dublin (2015-2020) and Tyrone (2003, 2005, 2008) used this effectively. Game Management - Pressing High Up the Pitch Forward players put pressure on goalkeepers and defenders, forcing mistakes. Teams like Dublin and Mayo use this to regain possession quickly. Post Covid Game - the reason for the rule changes Defensive tactics - Zonal Defense Defenders guard spaces rather than individual players. Useful against teams with strong runners who move off the ball. Midfield Strategies - Short Kick-Outs Used to retain possession by playing short passes to defenders instead of contesting high balls. Everyone doing it as nobody was pressing the kickout Attacking Tactics 1. Running Game Players carry the ball forward with speed, often soloing and hand-passing. Breaks through blanket defenses by drawing defenders out of position. 2. Overlap Play Players support the ball carrier with overlapping runs. Creates an extra attacker, forcing defenders to make decisions. Game Management - Keeping Possession (Lateral Passing) Teams hold onto the ball, passing sideways to control the tempo. Which of the above do we want in our Game? Under the new rules we have the midfield tactics of the traditional game, merged with the defensive, attacking and game management tactics of the post covid game. What we really want is the traditional game with the game management of the modern game tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1288 - 12/03/2025 14:24:43 2596084 Link
Round 5 at the weekend will be an indication of what teams might try and gain an advantage using 4 defenders v 3 forwards and in what scenarios... legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 12/03/2025 19:32:56 2596138 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Round 5 at the weekend will be an indication of what teams might try and gain an advantage using 4 defenders v 3 forwards and in what scenarios..." Very interesting to ponder how different scenarios could play out. Still feel a 45-65 would break up midfield hand passing - bring more kicking. omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 13/03/2025 12:50:05 2596226 Link
Replying To omahant: "Very interesting to ponder how different scenarios could play out. Still feel a 45-65 would break up midfield hand passing - bring more kicking." Some pundits reckon the 4v3 should do. The next few rounds will tell I suppose. The kick outs are giving contests. It would be very manufactured if they could not play on from there as they are. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 13/03/2025 17:24:05 2596281 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Some pundits reckon the 4v3 should do. The next few rounds will tell I suppose. The kick outs are giving contests. It would be very manufactured if they could not play on from there as they are." I am curious to see if Morgan, Rafferty etc will continue to roam into the attack, or if the 4th player back will cause them to pivot. I suppose I'd want a 45-65 only in open play, with a 20-40 (or 20-45) allowed at kick out. omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 13/03/2025 21:38:03 2596300 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Some pundits reckon the 4v3 should do. The next few rounds will tell I suppose. The kick outs are giving contests. It would be very manufactured if they could not play on from there as they are." In GIU Report, hand to kick pass ratio is >3.2x - what ratio do we want in an ideal game spectacle, ~2x? omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 13/03/2025 21:44:32 2596302 Link
Replying To omahant: "In GIU Report, hand to kick pass ratio is >3.2x - what ratio do we want in an ideal game spectacle, ~2x?" With 3 forwards up front, there should be more kicking on turn over ball. There has to be time to adapt to the rules. There needs to be settled rules now so that teams at all levels can make them work. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 14/03/2025 10:35:58 2596334 Link
Replying To omahant: "In GIU Report, hand to kick pass ratio is >3.2x - what ratio do we want in an ideal game spectacle, ~2x?" If handpassing was curtailed by rule there is little doubt that the "keep ball" scenarios would be more difficult to execute. However a curtailment of handpassing would also make it more difficult for teams to break down a defensive system and probably reduce scoring rates and especially reduce goals. Sure some goals are the result of early direct ball by foot but lots of goals come at the end of slick off the shoulder handpass moves. sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 860 - 14/03/2025 11:43:00 2596343 Link
In your "ideal" game of gaelic football, what would the "hand pass to kick pass" ratio look like? omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 14/03/2025 12:55:46 2596348 Link
Replying To omahant: "In your "ideal" game of gaelic football, what would the "hand pass to kick pass" ratio look like?" Personally my ideal game of gaelic football would not be dependent on any statistical ratio. sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 860 - 14/03/2025 14:28:44 2596364 Link
Replying To omahant: "In your "ideal" game of gaelic football, what would the "hand pass to kick pass" ratio look like?" Teams can have attacking fast vertical football with handpassing. Donegal have shown examples of that in the league so far. Going from defence to attack with fast and handpassing going forward. The frustration for supporters is possession chains. The next few rounds will tell now if 11v11 encourages man on man contest. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 14/03/2025 17:01:26 2596383 Link
Replying To sligo joe: "Personally my ideal game of gaelic football would not be dependent on any statistical ratio." Or any sport. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7863 - 14/03/2025 18:03:48 2596390 Link
Replying To sligo joe: "Personally my ideal game of gaelic football would not be dependent on any statistical ratio." Sounds like the GIU is pertaking in a useless data gathering exercise. I think their work is very useful in providing inferred information. omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 15/03/2025 01:58:29 2596430 Link
@legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8582 - 14/03/2025 17:01:26 Sounds like if all teams handpassed all day, it wouldn't affect the spectacle, so long as movement was vertical. So you seem ok with the current ratio trend: 1x, 2x, >3.2x - maybe a future of 6x, 8x without limit. I think a good blend/mix of various skills is what will truly improve the game's spectacle. By the way, I used to prefer AFL to 'old gaa' but with the new AFL season just under way, I've switched - 'new gaa' is better. Has anyone else switched too? (hopefully, in the same direction :) omahant (USA) - Posts: 3166 - 15/03/2025 02:08:36 2596431 Link
Nobody ever complains or gives out at a game when the hand passes go forward.. it could go the whole length of the pitch and end up with a score and everyone would laud it as a great move…but it's the continuous passing the ball latterly or backwards that grates on everyone and it's easy to see why…! ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3678 - 15/03/2025 08:49:52 2596448 Link
Replying To omahant: "@legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8582 - 14/03/2025 17:01:26 Sounds like if all teams handpassed all day, it wouldn't affect the spectacle, so long as movement was vertical. So you seem ok with the current ratio trend: 1x, 2x, >3.2x - maybe a future of 6x, 8x without limit. I think a good blend/mix of various skills is what will truly improve the game's spectacle. By the way, I used to prefer AFL to 'old gaa' but with the new AFL season just under way, I've switched - 'new gaa' is better. Has anyone else switched too? (hopefully, in the same direction :)" Refs can't keep track of possession chains. ForeverBlue2 has written sense about forward passing. Teams need a release valve then with some passing for a breather. I think the key is a defensive incentive to press the lateral handpassing and an attacking incentive for "vertical football". legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 15/03/2025 11:12:14 2596457 Link
Free kicks after the hooter might need to be looked at. It seems it could be advantageous at times to foul after the hooter as the opponent has to score direct. legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8638 - 15/03/2025 22:28:16 2596637 Link
The game should end when the hooter sounds … simple.. They changed the rule because in the Westmeath game in not disallowing the goal scored after the hooter … Instead of admitting that the ref got it wrong they decided to change the rule… Heaven help us… The crowd ( mostly youngsters ) flooded onto the pitch tonight in Kerry when the hooter sounded and the Kerry player while surrounded kicked the ball dead to end the game… What for instance if Kerry were leading by 1/2pts when the hooter sounded and Armagh were in possession… the same supporters would have came onto the pitch as nd caused havoc ..unintentionally I might add… What are the infamous FRC going to do to elevate this….? Ban supporters from coming on the pitch to meet their heroes…? Yet another blunder from the GAA /FRC… Just admit when they or the referee's get something wrong…. ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3678 - 15/03/2025 23:47:42 2596647 Link
Derry v Mayo game just now. Mayo had the ball, hooter went Mayo kept playing and lost the ball Derry counterattacked, they lost the ball Mayo picked it up and scored a goal I think its great. The fans have to learn that the game isn't over until the ball goes dead, but I think finishing off the play that is in progress makes complete sense. How many times has a team been behind by 2 points and attacking when the ref blows it up. kingdom_come (Kerry) - Posts: 83 - 16/03/2025 14:18:29 2596712 Link
Replying To legendzxix: "Free kicks after the hooter might need to be looked at. It seems it could be advantageous at times to foul after the hooter as the opponent has to score direct." But the free does not have to be kicked, tap and go sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 860 - 16/03/2025 21:55:20 2596812 Link