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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Handpass rule
Consecutive Handpass Limit
Rule X.X - Sequential Handpassing
(a) Definition
A team may not execute more than three (3) consecutive handpasses in open play without the ball being:
Kicked
Played off the ground
Contested by an opponent
(b) Application
A handpass shall be defined as a strike of the ball from the hand(s)
The count resets upon any legal kick or change in possession
(c) Sanction
Free kick awarded to opposing team from point of infringement" Wasn't something like this tried before? I remember some local refs were very against it. Ig you introduced it now you would need 2 refs. One for each half of pitch. Between the 3 v4 up rule, steps and handpass counting it would be very difficult job for 1 person to officiate especially with the 3 caveats you have in too.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 198 - 08/04/2026 13:06:31
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Replying To Tadhg2020: " Replying To tirawleybaron: "Handpass rule
Consecutive Handpass Limit
Rule X.X - Sequential Handpassing
(a) Definition
A team may not execute more than three (3) consecutive handpasses in open play without the ball being:
Kicked
Played off the ground
<u><b>Contested by an opponent</b></u>
(b) Application
A handpass shall be defined as a strike of the ball from the hand(s)
The count resets upon any legal kick or change in possession
(c) Sanction
Free kick awarded to opposing team from point of infringement"</div>Wasn't something like this tried before? I remember some local refs were very against it. Ig you introduced it now you would need 2 refs. One for each half of pitch. Between the 3 v4 up rule, steps and handpass counting it would be very difficult job for 1 person to officiate especially with the 3 caveats you have in too." There was a blanket limitation of the backpass which required the ref to count all handpasses. This is slightly different - your just penalising the unchallenged handpasses over and back across the middle of the field or full back line - the keep ball exercises.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1741 - 08/04/2026 19:06:48
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https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0409/1567409-foul-foul-foul-clearys-dictat-before-hooter-goes/
Interesting interview by the Cork Football manager....
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4875 - 10/04/2026 09:16:25
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@tirawleybaron - are these your own attempts to write rules, or are you taking them from somewhere else? Either way, there are all sorts of issues with them, and this bit from the one re. the tackle really stands out:
(c) Prohibited Actions
A foul shall be awarded where a player:
Pushes, pulls, drags, or holds an opponent
Initiates forceful contact, including but not limited to a shoulder charge that displaces the opponent
Uses wrapping, grappling, or encircling of the body or arms
Causes the opponent to lose balance or deviate from their line of movement through contact
Basically, the one thing that's always been regarded as the only "proper" tackle - i.e. a shoulder charge that knocks an opponent off his stride, or maybe even knocks him to the ground - would become illegal overnight.
Do you really mean that to be the case?
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3478 - 10/04/2026 09:56:49
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Replying To Pikeman96: "@tirawleybaron - are these your own attempts to write rules, or are you taking them from somewhere else? Either way, there are all sorts of issues with them, and this bit from the one re. the tackle really stands out:
(c) Prohibited Actions
A foul shall be awarded where a player:
Pushes, pulls, drags, or holds an opponent
Initiates forceful contact, including but not limited to a shoulder charge that displaces the opponent
Uses wrapping, grappling, or encircling of the body or arms
Causes the opponent to lose balance or deviate from their line of movement through contact
Basically, the one thing that's always been regarded as the only "proper" tackle - i.e. a shoulder charge that knocks an opponent off his stride, or maybe even knocks him to the ground - would become illegal overnight.
Do you really mean that to be the case?" @Pikeman96
The tackle definition proposes is tackle where the player is in possession of the ball.
The side to side shoulder on an opponent when running for a ball is outside this definition.
I cant really remember the last time I saw anyone with the ball in their hands being shoulder side to side (Tom Cuniffe shoulder charge on Peter Harte in 2013 semi - https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153205206795441&set=a.640000098155246&id=100064357856941 - is the last really memorable one i can recall). It has gone out of the game as most players turn it into a free.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1741 - 10/04/2026 10:40:09
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Replying To Fionn: "https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0409/1567409-foul-foul-foul-clearys-dictat-before-hooter-goes/
Interesting interview by the Cork Football manager...." Below is from the FRC "enhancements"
DISCIPLINE
The seven core playing rule enhancements are buttressed by a number of disciplinary infractions which are as follows:
• The penalty for tactical fouling for the purpose of deliberately delaying or impeding play results in the ball being moved forward 50m. If this results in the ball being moved inside the 40m arc, a Team can opt to take their free from the arc to try and score two points.
• A player who concedes a free must retreat immediately. A Player who commits a foul while in possession must hand the ball directly to their nearest opponent on the full and retreat. Failure to do so advances the ball 50m.
• To deliberately and cynically hold up but not pull down an opponent for the purposes of gaining an advantage shall be a black card offence.
• There will be zero tolerance to head high challenges.
• To contribute to a melee (third or subsequent player in with the purpose of NOT removing your teammate) receives a black card.
• To show dissent with the referee's decision to award a freekick to the opposing team results in the free being moved forward 50m.
• Misconduct by a Team Official(s) that warrants a Yellow or Red Card results in a free kick on the offending team's 13m line.
• Teams will nominate a designated player (i.e. captain or his deputy) for the purpose of seeking clarification of a decision made by the referee.
• Matches will be governed by an official clock in charge of time, which will be controlled by the match referee who can stop and restart the clock by signaling to linesmen.
Looks like Cork missed a trick by not challenging the ref and demanding their 50m advancement. Instead they just let the ref get it wrong without questioning him at the time
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1741 - 10/04/2026 10:44:49
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Replying To Fionn: "https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2026/0409/1567409-foul-foul-foul-clearys-dictat-before-hooter-goes/
Interesting interview by the Cork Football manager...." Yes and he's right to make the point. The current hooter rule makes it a no brainer to continue to foul the opposition up the pitch at the end of the game if they need a score.
He's also right to highlight how Finbarr's and Sallins were knocked out in the All-Ireland club semi-finals for much more minor offences, in Sallins' case, doubtful there was any offence at all. Both teams went from being a point up, to being knocked out with the last kick awarded by the ref.
You're penalised 50m or the basically the option of a 2-pointer for allegedly not handing the ball back, which is very open to interpretation. But there's no such penalty for deliberately dragging someone down up the pitch, apart from a black card which is meaningless in the last minute.
The GAA either need to amend this or admit that the ref made a mistake in the Division 2 final and should have moved it forward. Otherwise, they're actively encouraging the same behaviour.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2761 - 10/04/2026 11:52:39
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Below is from the FRC "enhancements"
DISCIPLINE
The seven core playing rule enhancements are buttressed by a number of disciplinary infractions which are as follows:
• The penalty for tactical fouling for the purpose of deliberately delaying or impeding play results in the ball being moved forward 50m. If this results in the ball being moved inside the 40m arc, a Team can opt to take their free from the arc to try and score two points.
• A player who concedes a free must retreat immediately. A Player who commits a foul while in possession must hand the ball directly to their nearest opponent on the full and retreat. Failure to do so advances the ball 50m.
• To deliberately and cynically hold up but not pull down an opponent for the purposes of gaining an advantage shall be a black card offence.
• There will be zero tolerance to head high challenges.
• To contribute to a melee (third or subsequent player in with the purpose of NOT removing your teammate) receives a black card.
• To show dissent with the referee's decision to award a freekick to the opposing team results in the free being moved forward 50m.
• Misconduct by a Team Official(s) that warrants a Yellow or Red Card results in a free kick on the offending team's 13m line.
• Teams will nominate a designated player (i.e. captain or his deputy) for the purpose of seeking clarification of a decision made by the referee.
• Matches will be governed by an official clock in charge of time, which will be controlled by the match referee who can stop and restart the clock by signaling to linesmen.
Looks like Cork missed a trick by not challenging the ref and demanding their 50m advancement. Instead they just let the ref get it wrong without questioning him at the time" Yes, Cork definitely should have challenged the call by the ref.
Especially when you look at how a couple of games in the Club Championship were won, and moving the ball up 50m for a winning 2pt score.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4875 - 10/04/2026 13:00:38
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Replying To WanPintWin: "Yes and he's right to make the point. The current hooter rule makes it a no brainer to continue to foul the opposition up the pitch at the end of the game if they need a score.
He's also right to highlight how Finbarr's and Sallins were knocked out in the All-Ireland club semi-finals for much more minor offences, in Sallins' case, doubtful there was any offence at all. Both teams went from being a point up, to being knocked out with the last kick awarded by the ref.
You're penalised 50m or the basically the option of a 2-pointer for allegedly not handing the ball back, which is very open to interpretation. But there's no such penalty for deliberately dragging someone down up the pitch, apart from a black card which is meaningless in the last minute.
The GAA either need to amend this or admit that the ref made a mistake in the Division 2 final and should have moved it forward. Otherwise, they're actively encouraging the same behaviour." Fully agree. 100%
Spot on WanPintWin.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 4875 - 10/04/2026 13:03:03
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "Below is from the FRC "enhancements"
DISCIPLINE
The seven core playing rule enhancements are buttressed by a number of disciplinary infractions which are as follows:
• The penalty for tactical fouling for the purpose of deliberately delaying or impeding play results in the ball being moved forward 50m. If this results in the ball being moved inside the 40m arc, a Team can opt to take their free from the arc to try and score two points.
• A player who concedes a free must retreat immediately. A Player who commits a foul while in possession must hand the ball directly to their nearest opponent on the full and retreat. Failure to do so advances the ball 50m.
• To deliberately and cynically hold up but not pull down an opponent for the purposes of gaining an advantage shall be a black card offence.
• There will be zero tolerance to head high challenges.
• To contribute to a melee (third or subsequent player in with the purpose of NOT removing your teammate) receives a black card.
• To show dissent with the referee's decision to award a freekick to the opposing team results in the free being moved forward 50m.
• Misconduct by a Team Official(s) that warrants a Yellow or Red Card results in a free kick on the offending team's 13m line.
• Teams will nominate a designated player (i.e. captain or his deputy) for the purpose of seeking clarification of a decision made by the referee.
• Matches will be governed by an official clock in charge of time, which will be controlled by the match referee who can stop and restart the clock by signaling to linesmen.
Looks like Cork missed a trick by not challenging the ref and demanding their 50m advancement. Instead they just let the ref get it wrong without questioning him at the time" It shouldn't be up to a team to challenge a ref. It's up to the ref to apply the rules properly. There's clearly ambiguity about this, as we have Eamonn Fitzmaurice saying it should have been moved up, but others saying the ref was correct. This confusion isn't helping refs and I'm sure Brendan Griffin thought he took the correct course of action and the teams probably thought he did too. Meath certainly thought there would be no 50m penalty, as otherwise they wouldn't have done it. It's a loophole that they exploited and ensured they won the game. Any other team would be mad not to do the same.
Until the GAA clarify this for everyone and sort it out, it's basically giving free licence to foul away in similar scenarios at the end of games. Pin a team in their own half and just keep fouling them there. It only takes 2 fouls to run down the last 30 or 40 seconds.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2761 - 10/04/2026 14:09:27
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Replying To WanPintWin: " Replying To tirawleybaron: "Below is from the FRC "enhancements"
DISCIPLINE
The seven core playing rule enhancements are buttressed by a number of disciplinary infractions which are as follows:
• <u><b>The penalty for tactical fouling for the purpose of deliberately delaying or impeding play results in the ball being moved forward 50m</b></u>. If this results in the ball being moved inside the 40m arc, a Team can opt to take their free from the arc to try and score two points.
• A player who concedes a free must retreat immediately. A Player who commits a foul while in possession must hand the ball directly to their nearest opponent on the full and retreat. Failure to do so advances the ball 50m.
• <b>To deliberately and cynically hold up but not pull down an opponent for the purposes of gaining an advantage shall be a black card offence.</b>
• There will be zero tolerance to head high challenges.
• To contribute to a melee (third or subsequent player in with the purpose of NOT removing your teammate) receives a black card.
• To show dissent with the referee's decision to award a freekick to the opposing team results in the free being moved forward 50m.
• Misconduct by a Team Official(s) that warrants a Yellow or Red Card results in a free kick on the offending team's 13m line.
• <u>Teams will nominate a designated player (i.e. captain or his deputy) for the purpose of seeking clarification of a decision made by the referee.</u>
• Matches will be governed by an official clock in charge of time, which will be controlled by the match referee who can stop and restart the clock by signaling to linesmen.
Looks like Cork missed a trick by not challenging the ref and demanding their 50m advancement. Instead they just let the ref get it wrong without questioning him at the time"</div>It shouldn't be up to a team to challenge a ref. It's up to the ref to apply the rules properly. There's clearly ambiguity about this, as we have Eamonn Fitzmaurice saying it should have been moved up, but others saying the ref was correct. This confusion isn't helping refs and I'm sure Brendan Griffin thought he took the correct course of action and the teams probably thought he did too. Meath certainly thought there would be no 50m penalty, as otherwise they wouldn't have done it. It's a loophole that they exploited and ensured they won the game. Any other team would be mad not to do the same.
Until the GAA clarify this for everyone and sort it out, it's basically giving free licence to foul away in similar scenarios at the end of games. Pin a team in their own half and just keep fouling them there. It only takes 2 fouls to run down the last 30 or 40 seconds." But there is no loophole stand no clarification needed, the penalty for tactical fouling is there in black and white.
sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1116 - 10/04/2026 15:04:02
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It's interesting how many pundits' interpretation of it was that the referee gave the correct decision. They, nor the ref himself seem to have read the updated rules in that case, or else haven't interpreted it as clearly as you have.
Based on this, there's a clear need for clarity.
WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2761 - 10/04/2026 16:14:31
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NEW football rule enhancements are great, but here are suggestions to address THREE blights still outstanding:
1) KEEP BALL
Divide playing field into three zones, segmented at the 45s.
The 45s serve as TWO backcourt boundaries beyond which the ball cannot be played back.
In the defensive zone, limit the defence to three intra-zone consecutive passes (via hand or foot) before the ball must be advanced to the middle zone via foot pass, hand pass or solo run.
Violation results in a conceded free at the backcourt 45 in question, or the 20, if defence plays a 4th intra-zone pass.
2) HOOTER
Split the difference between the current and original FRC rules - i.e. when the siren sounds, ONLY player in possession can play on UNTIL a score, wide, 45, sideline or 'PASS to a teammate' has occurred.
3) CYNICAL FOULS
Frees can still be taken out from inside the arc, but game clock is stopped following a cynical foul, preserving time in the last 8 minutes of each half.
Would any of these work?
omahant (USA) - Posts: 3386 - 14/04/2026 04:48:59
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Replying To omahant: "NEW football rule enhancements are great, but here are suggestions to address THREE blights still outstanding:
1) KEEP BALL
Divide playing field into three zones, segmented at the 45s.
The 45s serve as TWO backcourt boundaries beyond which the ball cannot be played back.
In the defensive zone, limit the defence to three intra-zone consecutive passes (via hand or foot) before the ball must be advanced to the middle zone via foot pass, hand pass or solo run.
Violation results in a conceded free at the backcourt 45 in question, or the 20, if defence plays a 4th intra-zone pass.
2) HOOTER
Split the difference between the current and original FRC rules - i.e. when the siren sounds, ONLY player in possession can play on UNTIL a score, wide, 45, sideline or 'PASS to a teammate' has occurred.
3) CYNICAL FOULS
Frees can still be taken out from inside the arc, but game clock is stopped following a cynical foul, preserving time in the last 8 minutes of each half.
Would any of these work?" No
Blackcoatsoffthefield (Galway) - Posts: 30 - 14/04/2026 23:34:04
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The 2 point arc, while a great idea, will ultimately change the game to focus on that method of scoring to the detriment of all else.
IN basketball - in the NBA most teams average 35% on 3 pointers, 50% on 2 pointers and 85% on free throws. So the 3 pointer rules
In GAA - teams shoot 70% on 1 pointers , so if you can shoot 40% on 2 pointers - thats the way to go.
Dublin's team of the 2010's used to average 60% shot accuracy on their All Ireland finals.
That was then upped after 2020 as teams played "I go - You go" refusing to shoot from outside the D.
The new focus on 2 pointers will result in ever more excessive handpassing and slow play as teams try to work the 2 point score.
In basketball, they have a shot clock, they count team fouls (punished by free throws) and have no back court to make the game flow properly .
GAA will end up there soon
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1741 - 15/04/2026 15:21:39
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Replying To omahant: "NEW football rule enhancements are great, but here are suggestions to address THREE blights still outstanding:
1) KEEP BALL
Divide playing field into three zones, segmented at the 45s.
The 45s serve as TWO backcourt boundaries beyond which the ball cannot be played back.
In the defensive zone, limit the defence to three intra-zone consecutive passes (via hand or foot) before the ball must be advanced to the middle zone via foot pass, hand pass or solo run.
Violation results in a conceded free at the backcourt 45 in question, or the 20, if defence plays a 4th intra-zone pass.
2) HOOTER
Split the difference between the current and original FRC rules - i.e. when the siren sounds, ONLY player in possession can play on UNTIL a score, wide, 45, sideline or 'PASS to a teammate' has occurred.
3) CYNICAL FOULS
Frees can still be taken out from inside the arc, but game clock is stopped following a cynical foul, preserving time in the last 8 minutes of each half.
Would any of these work?" On number 2, about the hooter - "when the siren sounds, ONLY player in possession can play on UNTIL a score, wide, 45, sideline or 'PASS to a teammate' has occurred."
Hmmm. First thoughts are how there'd be 11 outfield opposing players immediately free to just come and stop that player, since he can't pass to a team-mate. They'd just have to form a human wall between him and goal. Or even form a circle around him, like some sort of gaelic football version of Ring a Ring of Rosies.
Or what if he does manage to win a sideline ball by somehow booting the ball out off one of them? Presume the kick would have to be scored directly, since you're not allowing anybody else to play on. And sideline kicks are only very rarely scored in football. So it wouldn't be worth a you-know-what to him.
TLDR: as the other poster above says, NO.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3478 - 15/04/2026 15:44:29
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Replying To tirawleybaron: "The 2 point arc, while a great idea, will ultimately change the game to focus on that method of scoring to the detriment of all else.
IN basketball - in the NBA most teams average 35% on 3 pointers, 50% on 2 pointers and 85% on free throws. So the 3 pointer rules
In GAA - teams shoot 70% on 1 pointers , so if you can shoot 40% on 2 pointers - thats the way to go.
Dublin's team of the 2010's used to average 60% shot accuracy on their All Ireland finals.
That was then upped after 2020 as teams played "I go - You go" refusing to shoot from outside the D.
The new focus on 2 pointers will result in ever more excessive handpassing and slow play as teams try to work the 2 point score.
In basketball, they have a shot clock, they count team fouls (punished by free throws) and have no back court to make the game flow properly .
GAA will end up there soon" I agree - the idea was good but team tactics means that now even more time will be spent passing the ball around for a 2pointer - why would a team try and play quick ball into the forwards to get goals anymore? the risk v reward over a slow buildup and 2pts - you would be mad to do it.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2195 - 15/04/2026 16:25:49
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Replying To zinny: "I agree - the idea was good but team tactics means that now even more time will be spent passing the ball around for a 2pointer - why would a team try and play quick ball into the forwards to get goals anymore? the risk v reward over a slow buildup and 2pts - you would be mad to do it." I recall that most teams only convert 1 in 5 goal chances - so you get 3 points from 5 shots, compared with 4 points from 5 two point shots, or 3 points from 5no 1 point shots
They will have to up a goal to 4 points to make it the most attractive way of scoring.
tirawleybaron (Mayo) - Posts: 1741 - 15/04/2026 17:38:09
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Replying To zinny: "I agree - the idea was good but team tactics means that now even more time will be spent passing the ball around for a 2pointer - why would a team try and play quick ball into the forwards to get goals anymore? the risk v reward over a slow buildup and 2pts - you would be mad to do it." Jaysus, the game is way better now and ye are trying to kill it again with yere nonsense.
Tadhg2020 (Limerick) - Posts: 198 - 15/04/2026 18:01:05
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