It has become increasingly apparent over the last couple of years that the GAA need to consider some major changes in Gaelic football in order to stop the sport from becoming largely unwatchable.
The tactical evolution of the game in recent times has largely served to make it a less exciting spectacle for viewers, with many teams employing a defensively minded and risk averse approach. The site of two sides willing to handpass the ball around the halfway line while their opponents puts 15 players behind the ball is becoming increasingly commonplace.
Teams are always going to set up in a way that benefits them and are unlikely to switch up their style simply to make it more exciting to watch. As a result, many have called for the GAA to combat the issue via rule changes.
Altering the laws of a sport to make it more watchable is fairly commonplace in other spots, although the GAA have been largely hesitant to go down that route up to this point.
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GAA: Pat Spillane suggests radical rule changes for Gaelic football
Quite a few high profile figures within the GAA have suggested various rule changes that could be applied to Gaelic football, with Pat Spillane now joining that group.
Writing in the Sunday World, the Kerry legend put forward three radical rule changes that he feels should be considered moving forward.
I’m not convinced that changing the rules around hand-passing and kick-passing will make much difference. I fear coaches would find a way around any changes.
Instead, I would favour creating more space by either reducing the number of players on the field to 26 (13-a-side) or insist that seven players, the goalkeeper, three defenders and three forward must stay in one half of the field at all times.
Once space is created, albeit artificially, I’m convinced that teams will gamble more.
And my nuclear option which would incentivise risk-taking is increasing the value of a goal to five points and double the value of a point scored from beyond the 30m line.
The very least the GAA must do is to experiment with these changes as soon as possible.
Some interesting suggestions in there.
To summarise, Spillane feels that one of the following three rules should be brought in by the GAA in order to make Gaelic football more exciting:
- Reduce each team to 13 players
- Ensure that seven players from each team must remain in their own half at all times
- Change the laws so that a goal is worth five points, while poins from outside the 30-metre line would be worth two points
The suggestion to limit teams to 13-a-side has been touted on numerous occasions in the past, as has a few variations of limiting players from entering certain parts of the field of play.
Making a goal worth five points would fundamentally alter the nature of the sport, making it a far less likely prospect.
It will be interesting to see what route the GAA go down.
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