Hurling is an Irish sport played between two teams of 15 players each over two halves of 30 minutes. The pitch dimensions and goal post layout are the same as Gaelic Football, Ireland’s other popular sport.
The object of the game is for your team to score more points than the opposing team. To score, a player has to hit the ball (or sliotar) using the stick (or hurley) into the net or over the crossbar and between the posts.
If the ball goes into the net, three points are awarded and if the ball goes over the bar and between the posts, one point is awarded.
To move the ball up the pitch, a player has several of options. They can balance or control the ball by hitting it off the hurley while running, pass the ball by hitting it with the hurley (either out of your hands or on the ground), kicking the ball or flicking the ball up with the hurley or foot.
A player can also catch the ball with one hand and hand pass by slapping the ball with an open palm. However, a player cannot handle the ball when it is on the ground, throw the ball or hurley, take more than four steps with the ball in hand and handle the ball more than twice in a single possession.
Defenders have limited options when it comes to stopping the opposing team from scoring. Players can make shoulder to shoulder contact with player who have the ball, or the nearest player to the ball. Defenders can also block passes and shots using the hurley.
If a foul is awarded, or the ball goes out of play, a Puck is given. A Puck is a restart in play. If the ball goes over the sidelines, a Puck is given to the opposite team at the nearest line.
If the ball goes over the backline, a Puck Out is awarded to the opposing team from the 65 metre line. If a foul is committed, a Free Puck is awarded from the site of the foul.
If a foul is committed when there is a goal-scoring opportunity, a Penalty Puck is given. The ball is placed at the 20 metre line, and the attacking player gets a free shot on goal, with a goalkeeper and two defenders on the line trying to prevent a goal.