National Forum

Hurling's Increased Scoring Rate

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Replying To ecad123:  "Make all frees indirect.??? Then the ball will never played by the defender they will just keep fouling. Why are going to hamper good players who have unreal skill levels the high level if scoring is what makes it exciting."
How does high scoring make a game more exciting?

Galway and Wexford last night was high scoring and was of the most boring games I've seen. Limerick and Clare last week was similar.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 402 - 01/11/2020 13:24:31    2303787

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Replying To omahant:  "Concensus then points to standarised boss size and sliotar weight = good suggestions.

How about -
1) make all frees indirect, like in shinty ?
2) before a point is scored from play, the scorer cannot take the sliotar to hand ?"
1) If all frees were indirect, cynical play would go through the roof. there'd be no real consequence for fouling. Right now, you give away a free anywhere in your own half (and a bit beyond), you'll likely give away a point. If you couldn't score from free's, you'd just have constant fouling of anyone getting close to a scoring position.
2) No ball in hand before scoring a point? I mean, at some point, you're just going to turn hurling into another sport, and shinty already exists.

Of all the issues to address in hurling, like cynical play (its an issue), or the state of the handpass (it has turned into a throw) , I wouldn't rank accurate point taking as the biggest problem. I for one am enjoying it. Well, I won't enjoy it later today if Limerick hammer us by a gazillion well taken points, but thats for other reasons .

And look at Limerick over the last 3 years. They're essentially hitting the same amount of ball as they were 3 years ago, but they're just converting more than they were, because they're getting better and better. Yeah, the ball is lighter, but can we also consider that we might have hurlers hitting skill and athletic levels not reached before? I look back at games from the 80's and 90's as much as the internet allows, and have fond memories of those games. But the amount of wides, loose ball, and hit and hope balls is striking when compared to the modern game. From puckouts, to passes, to scoring, players are just much more accurate now in general. There ARE issues with the game that need to be addressed, but not everything has to be a negative.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1774 - 01/11/2020 13:46:30    2303793

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Replying To oneoff:  "How does high scoring make a game more exciting?

Galway and Wexford last night was high scoring and was of the most boring games I've seen. Limerick and Clare last week was similar."
That's because one team was way ahead if teams are at a similar level then it will be exciting. One sided games in any sport are not exciting. in the last few years we have been blessed with great games and when teams are at a similar level you will see the scoring decline a little. But the players are amazing in the skill they have now compared to years gone by. The one thing I miss is the atmosphere that a good crowd brings! The pressure is a lot less when no crowd is in attendance IMO.

ecad123 (Galway) - Posts: 68 - 01/11/2020 14:21:57    2303805

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  ""Standardise the maximum boss size on hurleys."

It is already standardised, but, the rule is not enforced.

The GAA rule book states that "The bas of a hurley at its widest point shall not be more than 13cm (5.11 inches)"."
What would Pat Horgan do with the Banjo he uses now if they enforced the rules on bas size?

Heftydickonem (Kilkenny) - Posts: 159 - 01/11/2020 15:53:30    2303888

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Replying To omahant:  "Concensus then points to standarised boss size and sliotar weight = good suggestions.

How about -
1) make all frees indirect, like in shinty ?
2) before a point is scored from play, the scorer cannot take the sliotar to hand ?"
OMG

Westfester (Limerick) - Posts: 905 - 01/11/2020 19:05:57    2304028

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Replying To Westfester:  "OMG"
agree.
the biggest change in hurling for me is the attitude to defending.all a forward has to do is charge straight into the back,fall to 1 side,free.
it is absolutely pathetic and a major factor as to why teams are just abandoning the basics of defending - hassling,harrowing,blocking,etc.
i played in the 90s (at senior club level) and i was not a good hurler.i wore 2 or 4 or a subs jersey!i was not blessed with skill but i would say i never took a step back or gave an opponent an easy ball in my whole career and if somebody got around me they earned it.
i accept todays game is a pole apart but i can only imagine the frustration of being in a full back line,forward turns and if he cant get a shot away he will manufacture a free by running straight at you and you are supposed to just move to the side rather than standing him up or making it difficult?how have we let this happen.
i am slow to criticise referees but to me,giving the forward the benefit of the doubt at all times is nonsense.there are plenty of diving forwards who only want to win a free.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3841 - 01/11/2020 20:34:52    2304094

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Huge differences in tactics contribute to high scoring. The passing game is efficient and players pick the ball at every opportunity. Much more frees are granted in today's game. At one game this weekend, I was astounded at a free being given from what I perceived as a legitimate pull across a player's Hurley as he picked the ball! Ground hurling and goal attempts have virtually disappeared. A heavier ball is needed, as players can strike from 80 or 90 yards over the bar! Still, the players must be praised for playing in adverse weather conditions and these trying times. They deserve our best congratulations!

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 535 - 01/11/2020 20:53:26    2304109

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