“What I would find about playing outfield is the ball handing… being able to become part of the play and link up with defenders.  It helps with kick-outs too.”                                                                  - Goalkeeper Paul Durcan on playing club football outfield

ANOTHER week and musings of another GAA rule change, again involving kick-outs, proposing that all kicks will travel forward 20 metres.  It is almost as if Jarlath Burns was at the recent Derry v Armagh McKenna Cup game and decided changes were needed.

There were two marks (both by Armagh), yet the success rate of Matthew McNeice and Ben McKinless was in the high 80s.  Team analyst Ben McGuckin will no doubt have flagged this up to the Derry management as they plot their path ahead of the league.  There were 10 marks in Newry on Sunday, but all were contested – the player winning the ball in space.

At the Kilrea v Burren Ulster Final, a fellow reporter hinted at his frustration with the constant mind games of managers naming dummy teams.  Of players wearing different numbers and popping up all over the place but that is how the game is.

Positions are more fluid now, and the matchups changing week on week.  Every so often a team will play with a flat 15 v 15 – it’s a rare occasion.  Last week St Columb’s and St Malachy’s just went for it, with four goals inside three minutes.

With the club season about to get under way, managers will be assessing their playing personnel and drawing up a plan of attack.  Will this year be any different?

Here is a combined structure of a football team, put together from last season’s archives.

Goalkeeper – No longer the man in the rugby boots who can kick the ball 60 yards off the ground. The kick-out is a now the key factor in the game with ball retention the order of the day.  Now managers are looking for a man who can kick through the eye of a needle almost.

Designated man-marker – The quickest and best tackler on the pitch, assigned the role of marking the opponent’s most potent forward. If this dangerman can comfortably score with both feet then an extra man will double up to ‘mark’ his other side once the forward gains possession.

Second choice man-marker – Often the more physical of the defenders.  After scouring the opponent’s pattern of play he will be asked to pick up the tallest forward.  At training the manager may opt to pump high balls on top of him with other defenders asked to position themselves for the breaking ball.

Extra defender – If the opposition play with two men inside this player will be free. It is a difficult role where positioning is paramount.  There is the need to sit in front for the breaking ball of high deliveries and to double up on a danger man when he threatens to cut inside.   A really effective player in this role will provide an attacking threat going forward. Often replaced by a forward if his team needs to chase the game.

Attacker defender – Nowadays these players are key to providing the penetration to unlock opposition defences.  He can bomb forward taking the ball off the shoulder so that teams don’t start going laterally.  Often managers try to expose the opponent’s ‘laziest’ forward by attacking and forcing him to chase.

Holding player – The man who gets the raw end of the deal with his fellow half backs making the headlines.  The centre back needs to have a footballing knowhow to read the game and have the communication skills to marshal the defence.  If he decides to go on the attack he needs to get someone to mind the house.  Will need to also be there at the point of contact to stop runners through the middle without picking up the dreaded black card

Wing-back – Similar to (5) above but will be seen often hugging the sideline, making the pitch as wide as possible, looking for a ball from the ‘keeper or a corner back to launch an attack.

Defensive midfielder – Not allowed to attack but needs to be on constant contact with his defence, dropping back into ‘the hole’ if anyone goes on the attack.  Needs to support the half backs in possession.  He will never get any credit as the attacking midfielder will take all the plaudits.

Attacking midfielder – Vital to a team’s attacking threat.  He will be instructed to run, punch holes in the defence and give support to the inside forwards.  If the run is strong enough it will win frees in the scoring zone as opposite mangers will see him as a goal threat.

Third midfielder – Listed as a forward but only ever up there for opposition kick-outs if the plan is to press up.  For his own team’s kick-outs he can act as a decoy run or a break ball magnet.  Will be encouraged to link up with the half backs to ferry ball from defence.

Wide man – Another man with a designated role to play.  Always on the wing, literally hugging the sideline providing width to stretch a defence.  If he can get on enough ball to make the opponents change their plan it will commit some men from their blanket defence to curb this new influence and create space for others.  When his team are no longer in possession, it’s time to get back and protect the house.

Playmaker - The key player in the transition from defence to attack.  Often teams have too many players back but this man must always be present on the 45 metre line.  The playmaker is the key to unlocking the defence.  He will be elusive, have the vision to see a pass have the ability to spray the ball into the scoring zone.  The opponents will have to either follow him or sit in the space he vacates, which is usually dependent on his ability to kick long range points.

Half-forward / sweeper – Depending on how defensive the game plan is will dictate this role.  Would be the full-time dedicated sweeper if a team is shutting up shop.  More recently as teams are playing with ‘four up’ he will be stationed on the 45 metre line to help with the play coming from defence.  Very often a bigger man than the primary playmaker.

Inside forward – The area where the games are won demand a potent inside forward with a good understanding of playing with his attacking partner.  The main focus is to win possession in the danger area but with mass defences it is becoming more difficult.  With video analysis and managers scouting their opponents, a forward who can score off both feet is worth their weight in gold – but are like hen’s teeth.

 Targetman – The primary focus is to win possession and either score or lay off to the attacking midfielder.  His first touch will either make or break his part on the team.  He must have a good understanding with this fellow inside forward so they are not making the same runs that can be easily snuffed out by a sweeper.  If a team has someone who can spray diagonal passes, an inside forward comes into his own, with a teammate coming past at the precise moment to support.

Given the opportunity, if the GAA membership vote in favour of introducing the new ’20 metre rule’ it will eradicate the short poke out to a corner back.  This team template will be torn to shreds.  Otherwise it’ll be more shouts of “who is marking number 10’ at GAA pitches across the county.

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