Hurling Rules

Rules – The Basics

This section describes the basic rules of the game of hurling. For a complete description of the rules of the game, please visit the GAA online.

Teams

1 – A game of hurling is played by two teams. Each team is comprised of 15 players.

2 – The player breakdown is as follows:

1 Goalkeeper
6 Defensive Players
2 Mid-Field Players
6 Offensive Players

3 – Players pair up with their opposite marks. Click here to see the layout on the field/pitch.

Game Play

1 – A game or match usually consists of two halves of 25-35 minutes.
2 – The sliothar (ball) cannot be picked up from the ground directly with the hand. The hurley must be used to roll, jab, lift or flick the sliothar into the hand.
3 – The sliothar can be caught while in the air or bouncing along the ground.
4 – The sliothar can be transferred to the hand at most twice. If the sliothar touches the ground, the count is reset.
5 – The sliothar can be hit with the hurley on the ground or in the air.
6 – The sliothar can also be kicked or handpassed, using one hand for the entire movement. The sliothar cannot be thrown.
7 – The sliothar can be kept in the hand for at most 4 consecutive steps or the length of time to take 4 steps.
8 – The sliothar can be balanced on the stick for an unlimited time.

Fouls

1 – Touching the sliothar directly with a hand while it is on the ground.
2 – Overplaying the sliothar by catching it more than twice with the hand or running for more than four steps while in the hand.
3 – Physically challenging a player while the sliothar is not present (off the ball challenge) or by playing in an aggressive and illegial manner.
4 – A player may not grab or hold another player’s hurley.

Physical Contact

1 – Hurling is a physical game and a certain amount of contact is permitted, provided it is in attempting to gain possession of the sliothar.
2 – A fair shoulder charge is permitted.

Scoring

1 – A point is scored when the sliothar is hit over the crossbar, which is above the goal keeper, and between the goal posts.
2 – A goal is scored when the sliothar is hit under the cross bar and into the goal between the goal posts. A goal is worth 3 points.
3 – Goals and points can be scored from play or from ‘set pieces’ such as a free or a side line cut.

Essential Skills

1 – Picking up the sliothar via rolling the sliothar with the hurley into the hand (roll lift) or by using the hurley to scoop the sliothar into the hand (jab lift).
2 – Balancing and running with the sliothar on the hurley (solo run).
3 – Striking the sliothar with the hurley on the ground (ground pull or hurl) and by tossing the sliothar into the air and striking it.
4 – Striking the sliothar while moving on the ground or in the air (doubling on the sliothar).
5 – Free Taking: Picking the sliothar from the ground and striking it in one movement without handling the sliothar.
6 – Sideline cut: Chipping the sliothar from the ground when it goes over a sideline.
7 – Fielding the sliothar by catching it in the air.
8 – Blocking a shot is when a player uses his/her hurley to prevent another player from stricking the sliothar. This tackle must be done from in front of the stricker as they are tossing the sliothar into the air.
9 – ‘Hooking’ is a skill where a player uses his/her hurley to prevent another player from stricking the sliothar. This is done from behind the stricker and his/her hurley must be intercepted as the stricking motion is taking place.