Ladies GAA Rules
Playing Rules
430. (437) A player may pick the ball off the ground with the toe, or lift it with one or both hands providing she is in a standing position.
431. (438) A player while on the ground may play the ball away from her, but cannot bring it into her possession.
432. (439) The ball when caught may be kicked, struck with the fist or open hand or hopped once against the ground with one or both hands.
433. (440) The ball may be knocked from an opponents hands by flicking it with
the open hand or hands.
434. (441) A player while holding the ball into her body cannot be legally dispossessed. Any attempts to do so shall result in a free being awarded to her team.
435. (442) A player may change the ball from one hand to the other once, providing the holding hand maintains contact with the ball until the change is completed.
436. (443) A player in possession of the ball may play the ball from toe to hand any number of times. After any such play, the ball may be hopped once against the ground by the hand.
437. (444) A player, who plays the ball she has not caught, may make a run by hopping it any number of times with one or both hands. Should she catch the ball, she is allowed only one hop.
438. (445) A player shall not kick the ball as an opponent is about to pick it up or take it into her possession.
439. (446) The ball shall not be held longer than is necessary to kick, fist, hand pass, hop it away or move four steps.
440. (447) The ball shall not be carried. Carrying shall be taking more than four steps while holding the ball. Tipping the ball on the hands is considered carrying.
441. (448) A player may not throw the ball. However she may toss the ball with one hand and play it with the same hand.
442. (449) All deliberate body contact shall be eliminated, except :
(a) Shadowing an opponent
(b) Fielding
(c) Blocking the delivery of a ball by an opponent shall be allowed.
443. (450) Where a referee stops play to deal with an injured player(s), the team in possession of the ball at the time of the stoppage in play, shall retain possession on the restart. Play shall resume with the team that had possession, kicking the ball, and all players shall be thirteen metres from the ball at the point of kicking it.
However, they cannot score directly from the kick ball. Where neither team was in possession, play shall be restarted by the referee throwing the ball in between one player from each side.
Scores
444. (451) The game shall be decided by the greater number of points. A goal shall be equivalent to three points.
445. (452) A goal is scored when the ball is kicked, flicked on in flight by any part of the body, or played by either team between the goalposts and under the crossbar.
446. (453) Should a defender cross the goal line with the ball, a goal shall be given to the attacking team, providing the whole ball has crossed the line.
447. (460) Any player who falls or is knocked to the ground whilst in possession of the ball may fist or palm the ball on the ground and may score by doing so.
448. (454) Should a defending player play the ball in any manner through her own scoring space, it shall count as a score.
449. (455) Should an attacking player throw or carry the ball over the goal line, a score shall not be allowed.
450. (456) A point is scored when the ball is kicked, fisted, palmed or flicked on in flight by any part of the body, by either team between the goalposts and over the crossbar.
451. (457) If the ball strikes anyone other than a player within the goal area and in the referee’s opinion a goal or a point was prevented, s/he shall allow such a score.
452. (458) When the ball hits the uprights or crossbar and comes back onto the field of play it is still in play.
453. (459) Should the upright or crossbar become displaced or broken, the referee may allow time for the repair of same.
Should the ball pass between or above or below the broken goalposts or crossbar, the referee may in his/her opinion allow a goal or a point as the case may be.
Fouls
454. (466) The following fouls shall be penalised by a free being awarded to the opposing team:
(a) Overcarrying the ball (taking more than four steps without playing the ball);
(b) Throwing the ball;
(c ) Lying on the ball;
(d) Picking the ball off the ground whilst not in a standing position;
(e) Bringing the ball into possession whilst on the ground;
(f) Changing the ball from hand to hand more than once in succession;
(g) Hopping the ball more than once in succession after catching it;
(h) Handpassing the ball without a visible striking action;
(i) Handpassing the ball up and catching it before it touches the ground or
before being touched by another player;
New rule 455 (465) The following fouls shall be penalised by a free being awarded to the opposing team. Repetition of these fouls shall constitute a yellow card offence with penalties as outlined in rule 456:
(a) Pushing or holding an opponent
(b) Bringing the hand or fist into contact with the body of an opponent for the purpose of dispossessing her of the ball;
(c ) Third player tackle including body checking an opponent;
(d) Impeding and opponent;
(e) Diving on the ball as another player is about to pick it up;
(f) Deliberately delaying the kick out;
(g) Deliberately not moving back to allow a quick free to be taken;
(h) Kicking the ball away when a free is awarded against the team in possession of the ball;
(i) Not releasing the ball when a free is awarded against the player in possession of the ball;
(j) Use of foul or improper language;
(k) Interfering with a free taker by jumping up and down, waving or clapping hands or any other physical or verbal interference aimed at distracting the free taker.
Should this occur when an attacking team is awarded a thirteen metre free in front of their opponents goal, a penalty shall be awarded. A player may hold her hands upright;
(l) A player in possession of the ball leading with her elbow;
(m) Frontal pushing of a player; (passed)
(n) Chopping down on the arms of an opponent;
(o) Provoking or intimidating players by verbal or physical actions;
(p) Preventing an opponent getting up from the ground. (passed)
456 New rule (464) The following fouls shall be penalised by a free being awarded to the opposing team and the offending player’s name taken and shown a yellow card and sent off the field of play (sin bin) in grades from and including under fourteen upwards. If she repeats any of these offences upon her resumption, she shall be shown a second yellow card, followed by a red card and sent off the field of play for the duration of the game, which shall include extra time where played.
In any competition up to and including the under thirteen grade, the sin bin rule shall not apply. The player shall be shown the yellow card and if she commits another caution ableoffence, she shall be shown a second yellow card, followed by a red card and sent off the field of play for the duration of the game and any extra time that may be played.
(a) Deliberate pulling down, tripping by hand or foot or jumping at an opponent;
(b) Threatening or using abusive language or gestures towards an opponent or colleague;
(c ) Blocking or attempting to block an opponent with the boot as that player is about to kick the ball from her hands;
(d) A sliding tackle with the boot;
(e) Kicking the ball with intent as an opposing player is about to pick it up;
(f) Attempting to strike or kick an opponent;
(g) Dissenting with or challenging the authority of a match official;
(h) Persistent fouling;
(I) Pulling an opponents jersey.
457. New rule (462) The following fouls shall be penalised by a free being awarded to the opposing team and the offending player shown the red card and ordered off the field of play, without caution.
(a) Striking an opponent or colleague with hand, arm, elbow, head or knee;
(b) Kicking and opponent or colleague;
(c) Striking or interfering with a match official;
(d) Deliberate charging of an opponent, colleague or official;
(e) Deliberate high tackle;
(f) Deliberate frontal charge or jumping at an opponent, colleague or official;
(g) Spitting at an opponent or colleague;
(h) Deliberate pulling of an opponent or colleagues hair;
(I) Biting an opponent;
(j) Stamping on an opponent or colleague;
(k) Using racist language or gestures towards an opponent, colleague, mentor, match official or spectator;
A player sent off for any of the above offences shall be suspended for a minimum of one month. Should any of the above offences be repeated in a calendar year, she shall be suspended for a minimum of three months.
458. New rule (old 463) A player using threatening or abusive language to a match official is a red card offence which carries a minimum suspension of two weeks.
Sin Bin
459. (467) A “Sin Bin” rule shall apply in all grades from and including under fourteen upwards. Where a player commits a first yellow card offence, she shall have her namerecorded and sent off the field of play for ten minutes playing time (Sin Bin) in games of one hour duration or more. She may remain with her substitute colleagues. In games of less than thirty minutes a half from and including under fourteen upwards she shall be sent to the Sin Bin for five minutes playing time. Where such a game goes into extra time that may exceed one hour duration, the Sin Bin time shall be for five minutes. – The duration of the Sin Bin is governed by the duration of normal time. She can only resume play after completing her five/ten minutes playing time ban, with the permission of the referee or a designated official. If on her resumption, she repeats a cautionable offence, she shall be shown a yellow card (2nd), followed by a red card and ordered off the field of play for the remainder of the game, which shall include extra time where played.
460. (468) If the blood substitute is sent off for a first yellow card offence, the team management must take off another player if they wish to bring the player who had picked up the blood injury back onto the field of play before the ten minute playing time ban has expired – the team has to be down to fourteen players.
461. (469) Where the blood substitute was sent off for a yellow card offence, and the team management wish to bring her on after the ten minutes playing time has expired, they shall be deemed to have used a normal substitute if the player who she replaced having suffered the blood injury has already resumed playing.
Free Kicks
462. (470) The penalty for mostly all breaches of the rules shall be a free kick.
463. (471) If a foul occurs, the referee may allow play to continue, if s/he considers this to be to the advantage of the offended team. Once the referee allows play to continue s/he may not subsequently award a free for that foul. Disciplinary action as warranted may be applied to the offender.
464. (472) Once the referee has blown for a free, the ball may be kicked, from the hand, or off the ground, from where indicated by the referee.
465. (473) The ball shall be stationary, before a free kick, sideline kick and forty five metre kick is taken off the ground. Failure to do so, shall result in the kick being retaken.
466. (474) In the interests of continuity of play, all free kicks except penalty kicks and free kicks on the thirteen metre Line, may be taken immediately at the spot indicated by the referee.
467. (475) Where in the referees opinion, a free is being taken from the incorrect position, the free should be retaken from where indicated by the referee. Continued breach of this rule shall result in the free being disallowed and the ball thrown in between a player from each side and all other players shall be thirteen metres from the throw in.
468. (476) All players must be thirteen metres from the ball when a free kick is being takenunless they are not interfering with play.
469. (477) Should an opposing player stand nearer than thirteen metres from the ball when a free kick, sideline kick, or forty five metre kick is being taken, or illegally charge a free kick, the opposing team shall be awarded a free kick from where she stood or illegally charged the free kick.
470. (478) Should a player taking a quick free kick, deliberately play it against an opponent for the purpose of gaining advantage, without allowing her opponent adequate time to retreat thirteen metres, the player shall lose her free kick and play is restarted by throwing in the ball between a player from each side.
471. (479) Should a defending player illegally charge a thirteen metre free kick directly in front of the goal by the attacking team, the referee shall award a penalty.
472. (480) When a free kick has been awarded and the taker passes to a colleague, who is less than thirteen metres from the ball, the referee shall award a free kick to the opposing team from where the recipient stood.
473. (481) The free taker may not play the ball again until another player has touched it. Should she do so, the referee shall award a free to the opposing team, from where the foul occurred. The only exception to this rule is where it rebounds off the crossbar or uprights, whereby the kicker may play it again. Should the foul occur inside the thirteen metre line, the referee shall award the free from the thirteen metre line opposite to where the foul occurred.
474. (482) Where a foul is committed on a player after she plays the ball, the referee should:
(a) Award a free from where the ball lands.
(b) Allow a score, should she have scored.
(c) Award a free on the thirteen metre line, opposite to where the ball
landed on or inside the thirteen metre line or over the end-line.
(d) Award a free on the sideline at the point where the ball crossed the sideline. If the free is to the attacking team and the ball crossed the sideline between the thirteen metre line and the end-line, the free shall be taken from the thirteen metre line.
475. (483) Should a player from each team foul at the same time, the referee shall throw in the ball over the heads of one player from each side.
476. (484) Once the referee has awarded a free, and prior to it being taken, if a player on the team awarded the free fouls in retaliation, the free shall be disallowed and play restarted by the referee by throwing the ball over the heads of one player from each team where the original foul occurred.
477. (485) Where the referee throws in the ball between one player from each team, all other players shall be thirteen metres from both players.
478. (486) At the commencement of the second half, the referee shall throw the ball in between two players from each side and all other players shall be behind the forty five metre line.
479. (487) Should a player show dissent in any way with the referee’s decision to award a free to the opposing team, the free-kick shall be awarded from a point thirteen metres nearer to the defending goal, but not inside the thirteen metre line. Should the original free be near the sideline on or inside the thirteen metre line, the referee shall place the ball on the thirteen metre line thirteen metres nearer to the centre of the goal.
480. (488) A player taking a free-kick or a kick-out near the end-line or sideline may step outside these lines for the purpose of taking a run.
Penalties
481. (489) A penalty shall be awarded when:
(a) Any foul is committed by the defence within the small rectangle.
(b) A personal foul is committed by the defence on an attacking player within the large rectangle.
(c) Where an attacking player in the large rectangle has her hands on the ball and an opponent kicks the ball.
The referee shall award a penalty even though the boot may not have come in contact with the player’s hand.
482. (490) A penalty shall be taken from the ground at the centre point of the eleven metre line directly in front of the goal. All players with the exception of the goalkeeper and the player taking the kick shall be outside the twenty metre line.
483. (491) The goalkeeper may move along the goal-line but cannot advance from the goal-line until the ball has been kicked.
If the goalkeeper moves forward before the ball is kicked and a score does not result (ball goes wide or is saved etc), or she deflects the ball over the bar, the penalty shall be retaken.
484. (492) It is only the player wearing a the distinctive jersey who enjoys the rights and privileges of a goalkeeper i.e. is allowed to pick the ball off the ground, without being in a standing position inside the small rectangle.
Rectangles
485. (493) If an attacking player is within the small rectangle before the ball enters it, the defending team shall be awarded a free out from within the small rectangle.
486. (494) If an attacking player legally enters the small rectangle after the ball and the ball is cleared from that area, but is returned before the attacking player has had time to leave the small rectangle, she shall be deemed not to have committed an offence provided she does not play the ball or does not interfere with the defence.
487. (495) If an attacking player is in the small rectangle before the ball and a point is scored from out the field, the score shall be allowed, providing :
(a) The ball is sufficiently high to be out of the reach of all players.
(b) She does not interfere with the defence
Kick Out
488. (496) For the kick out from goal after a wide in all competitions the ball may be kicked from the hands or off the ground, from the thirteen meter line. All players shall be at least thirteen metres from the ball until it is kicked. The ball must cross the twenty metre line, before being played by another player. Where another player offends, a free shall be awarded to the opposing team on the twenty metre line opposite, to where the foul occurred.
489. (497) All players shall be outside the twenty metre line except the kicker and the goalkeeper.
490. Where an opposing player stands nearer to the Goalline than the 20m Line, the Defending side shall be awarded a Free Out on the 20m Line.
491. (499) After a score, the kick out shall be taken from the twenty metre line in front of the goalposts. All players shall be at least thirteen metres from the ball until it is kicked.
492. (500) The player taking the kick out may play the ball more than once before any other player plays it providing, she does not take it into her hands.
