GAA Gaelic Football Rules – Old vs New (Visual + Animated)

👥 Teams

• 15 players: 1 GK, 6 defenders, 2 midfielders, 6 forwards
• 5 permanent substitutions during normal time. If the match goes to extra time, a team may make up to 3 additional substitutions during extra time.

⏱️ Match Length

• Inter-county championship: 2 × 35 mins
• Most club games: 2 × 30 mins
• Extra time or penalties may be used in knockout games

🎯 Scoring + 2-Point Arc (Major Change)

Goal = 3, normal point = 1, and a score from on/outside 40m arc = 2 points.

🧩 3-v-3 Rule (Major Change)

At least 3 players must stay in each half (attacking and defensive) while ball is in play.

🧤 Kick-outs (Major Change)

After a wide/score, keeper restarts. Kick-out must pass beyond 40m arc before teammate touches.

⚡ Solo-and-Go (Major Change)

Many frees can restart instantly by soloing/tapping to self without waiting for whistle.

📏 50-Metre Advancement (Major Change)

Ref may advance free 50m for dissent, delaying restart, failing to return ball, or other misconduct.

🧱 Goalkeeper Restrictions (New Emphasis)

Goalkeeper use as extra outfield player is more limited under current positional/restart focus.

🟨 Stronger Penalties for Cynical Fouls

Black-card/tactical foul consequences are stronger to discourage deliberate attack-stopping.

🏃 Moving the Ball

• Allowed: kick, hand-pass, solo, bounce
• Carry up to 4 steps; then solo or bounce
• No 2 consecutive bounces (must solo between)

🛡️ Tackling

Legal: shoulder challenge, knock ball from hand, block kick.

Illegal: jersey pull, trip, hold, push from behind, strike, high tackle, throw down.

🚫 Fouls

Technical: throwing, over-carrying, illegal pick-up, double bounce, lying on ball.

Aggressive: charging, tripping, striking, pulling down, dangerous play.

🟥 Cards

• Yellow Card (Caution):
  • A warning for a foul or unsporting behavior.
  • Two yellow cards in the same match usually result in a red card (the player is sent off).
• Black Card (Sin Bin): Given for certain cynical fouls, such as:
  • Deliberately pulling an opponent down.
  • Tripping an opponent.
  • Deliberately preventing a promising attack.
  • The player must leave the field for 10 minutes (the “sin bin”).
  • After 10 minutes, they may return if allowed under competition regulations.
  • A player who receives a black card and then a yellow card, or two black cards, is sent off with a red card.
• Red Card (Sent Off):
  • The player is dismissed for the rest of the match.
  • Their team continues with one fewer player.
  • A red card can be given for: serious foul play, violent conduct, striking/attempting to strike, or card combinations under competition rules.

⬜ Square Ball Rule

In open play, an attacking player cannot be inside the small rectangle before the ball enters it. If they enter early and then play the ball, it is a foul (free out).

🎯 Penalty Kick

Taken from penalty spot; only goalkeeper defends; goal counts as 3 points.

📍 Sideline Kicks

Awarded where ball crosses sideline; taken from that point as rules permit.

4️⃣5️⃣ 45-Metre Kick

Given when defending team last touches ball over own end line (without goal).

🚩 Ball Out of Play

• Crosses sideline/end line
• Ref stops play
• Strikes certain objects outside field

👨‍⚖️ Refereeing Officials

• 1 referee
• 2 linespersons
• 4 umpires (2 each goal)