THE PROSPECT OF a ban on backpasses to goalkeepers in Gaelic football has been hinted at by GAA President John Horan.
Five experimental rules were approved last November to be trialled in the 2019 pre-season provincial competitions and the Allianz football league.
The handpass rule, which ruled out more than three passes in a row by the hand, was binned before the league commenced but the other four – an attacking mark, kickouts from the 20-metre line, a 10-minute sin-bin instead of dismissal for black card offences and sidelines only being kicked forward – were in play during the spring action in the four divisions.
They are now set to be put forward as motions for the GAA’s Special Congress, that is pencilled in to take place in Páirc Uí Chaoimh later this year on 19 October.
And Horan, speaking yesterday at the 2019 All-Ireland football launch in Scotstown in Monaghan, raised the prospect of a potential debate on bringing in a rule to prevent goalkeepers from receiving backpasses from team-mates.
“You could yeah (see it debated). A proposal on changing the rule doesn’t have to be experimented on. The stats on it, of the 20 games that were analysed for the National League, there was an average of 10 back passes to the goalkeeper.
“If you think about it, if you take out the goalkeeper as the safety valve behind the defence, it then allows the team to press forward much more and actually draw them out instead of going back behind. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get it into the mix at the particular time, but it’s there for debate now and it will be put out for people to talk about.”
Several leading netminders who are comfortable in possession have began to impact more in open play with Tyrone’s Niall Morgan getting on the scoresheet in spectacular style earlier this year in the league.
Niall Morgan with a sensational equalising point for @TyroneGAALive pic.twitter.com/LkDYu1yBzY
— The GAA (@officialgaa) February 10, 2019
“Whilst a few of them might go on the attack with the ball, it is providing a valve for defensive football, the goalkeeper being there as the extra man,” stated Horan.
“But my point to you was if the goalkeeper is not there as the safety valve and complying as the extra man coming out that teams will push forward.
“What I’m saying is, it doesn’t have to be trialled, by rule. But we’ll just see what people think. I’m not saying this is going to happen – I’m only saying it’s out there for debate. It’s not a proposal, it’s just out there for debate.”
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What about a defender intercepting a goal creating pass and using the goal keeper to launch an attack the other way!
Maybe we cud just stop using hands at all and keep the ball on the ground.
@Stiofan Hunter: Exactly. Another rule made up by dinosaurs
Ban it from frees and sidelines
@Bernie: this might be the only credible introduction, other than this it’s a load of rubbish. The amount of good play through goal keepers this year has been great. Its genius to use your keeper as an extra player to create space. The fly keeper can really add to the game.
@Declan Snow: exactly, a defender wins the ball he needs the option to lay it off to a keeper if under pressure,
You could maybe also ban a one two from a kick out with the keeper but anything else is going to far
@Declan Snow: Why do you need to use a gk to create space in defences when teams only have 3 or 4 forwards marking 9/10 defenders?
Don’t see this taking off.
Would be more interested in stopping goalkeepers taking free kicks, killing games and wasting time. Tactical way of wasting 3 minutes and killing momentum.
My frustration is watching the ball go backwards unnecessarily. I think it should be zoned. Say between the end line and 45, 45 to other 45 and 45 back to the end line.
Once the ball enters the zone it cannot be played out of the zone by the team who bought it in. Back passes to the goalkeeper are permitted in the respective zone.
@Michael Buckley: way too complicated
@Michael Buckley: I like this idea but it might be hard to police. Extra lines men needed, but worth trailing.
@Michael Buckley: only encourages a blanket defense
Sometime soon we’ll be telling players exactly where on the pitch they should be positioned at any and every given time. We’ll need ten officials to police this not to mention Hawkeye, VAR, TMO and whatever you’re having yourself. Leave the game alone other than allow a proper, safe tackle, fine-tune the advantage rule and , just maybe, get rid of mercenary managers. Coaches will eventually realize, and a couple of them already are, that it takes a fairly direct attacking game to win anything. Copy Jim Gavin until someone better comes along.
Football is terrible. Possible one of the most boring sports. Watch hurling lads
@Declan Ryan: Yawn. Another sick fighting flag bearer
I don’t understand the rationale behind this move, as said previous the dinosaurs are out again, the goalkeepers have brought a lot to the championship this year and why should this be curtailed, also I would be more interested in seeing the fistpass point being banned to see more shots on goal, the Donegal match recently was a joke with three one on ones fisted over