Lately, there has been plenty of talk about the best way of out-witting the increased number of blanket defences in Gaelic football.

It looks like Dublin are experimenting with a potentially revolutionary attacking formula by bringing renowned basketball coach Mark Ingle to help them out.

Former Mayo footballer Liam McHale, who also starred at basketball, joined us on Off The Ball to talk about the interesting development and suggested that current Dubs selector Jason Sherlock might have influenced the decision to seek the counsel of the DCU Mercy coach.

"What's very interesting for me is that Jason Sherlock is already there. While he never really coached at the highest level, he would have played basketball at the highest level. I said it before, that he was a big addition at the start of the year coming in to help Jim [Gavin's] boys out and Mark will come in and give them a big insight," said McHale. 

DCU Mercy coach Mark Ingle ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan

McHale believes ball movement and swift transitions between attack and defence are crucial in breaking down packed rearguards in Gaelic football, while making the attacking half of the pitch as wide as possible to create space.

And he went on to compare the big difference between basketball and football.

"When we were growing up as basketball players, we were always told to square up to the basket and we were a triple threat. Your first option in the scoring zone for a Gaelic footballer, when you're in the scoring zone in your distance, you look to shoot. Your second option is to pass and your last option is to take your man on. Now that is in the reverse in Gaelic football from the day I got involved when you were told to take your man on and that's what these blanket defences exploit. So the key for me is that guys have to get their heads up, square up to the goal, look to shoot and if that's not, they've got to move the ball and that's got to happen within a tenth of a second. "