GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association)
Excerpts from rules and regulations pertaining to kicking
RULE 1 - THE PLAY
  • 1.1 The ball is in play once it has been thrown in or kicked after the referee has given a signal to start or restart play, and it remains in play until:
    • (a) the referee signals a stop;
    • (b) the ball has passed completely over any boundary line or strikes any flag marking the boundary lines;
    • (c) the ball has been prevented from going over any boundary line or is touched in play by anyone other than a player.
  • 1.2 When the ball is on the ground, it may be played by any part of the body except the hand(s). It may be lifted off the ground with the feet. Exceptions
    • (i) The goalkeeper may play the ball on the ground with his hand(s) inside his own small rectangle.
    • (ii) Any player who falls or is knocked to the ground while in possession of the ball may fist or palm the ball away on the ground, and may score by so doing.
    • (iii) The ball may not be lifted off the ground with the knees.
  • 1.3 When the ball is not on the ground, it may be played by any part of the body.
  • 1.4 When a player is in possession of the ball, it may be:-
    • (a) carried for a maximum of four consecutive steps or held in the hand(s) for no longer than the time needed to take four steps;
    • (b) played from the foot to the hand(s) -toetapped;
    • (c) bounced once, and once after each toetap;
    • (d) changed from one hand to the other once, with the original holding hand maintaining contact until the change is completed;
    • (e) struck with the open hand(s) or fist, provided there is a definite striking action;
    • (f) tossed for a kick, a toe-tap or a pass with the hand(s).
  • 1.7 Provided he has at least one foot on the ground, a player may make a side-to-side charge on an opponent:-
    • (a) who is in possession of the ball, or
    • (b) who is playing the ball, or
    • (c) when both players are moving in the direction of the ball to play it. When he is within the small rectangle, the goalkeeper may not be charged but he may be challenged for possession of the ball, and his kick or pass may be blocked. Incidental contact with the goalkeeper while playing the ball is permitted.
  • 1.8 A goalkeeper may move along his goal-line when a penalty kick is being taken.
  • 1.9 For a run-up to a free kick, side-line kick or kick-out, a player may go outside a boundary line, otherwise players shall remain within the field of play.
RULE 2 - SET PLAY
  • 2.1 The Referee, facing the players, starts the game and restarts it after half-time, by throwing in the ball between two players from each team, who shall stand one behind the other in their own defensive sides of the half-way line. All other players shall be in their respective positions behind the 45m lines.
  • 2.2 After a foul, play is restarted by a free kick or a throw-in where the foul(s) occurred. EXCEPTIONS
    • (i) In the case of fouls by a defending player within the rectangles, the following shall apply:
      • A penalty kick shall be awarded for an Aggressive Foul within the large rectangle or any foul within the small rectangle. The penalty kick shall be taken from the ground at the centre point of the 13m line.
      • A free kick from the centre of the 13m line shall be awarded for a Technical Foul by a defending player within the large rectangle but outside the small rectangle.
    • (ii) A free kick awarded for a foul by a defending player inside his own 13m line but outside the large rectangle shall be taken from the 13m line opposite where the foul occurred.
    • (iii) When a player is fouled immediately after he plays the ball away and a score results, it shall stand. Otherwise, the referee shall award a free kick from where the foul occurred or, if more advantageous, from where the ball lands or crosses the sideline. With the option of a free being awarded from where the foul occurred being retained, the rule shall apply in the following circumstances as outlined:-
      • (a) If the ball lands over the end-line, the free kick shall be given on the 13m line opposite the place where the ball crossed the end-line;
      • (b) if the ball lands inside the opponents’ 13m line, a free kick shall be given from the 13m at the point where the ball crossed this line.
    • (iv) Where otherwise specified in the penalties listed in Rule 4 Sections 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 37; Rule 5, Sections 13, 30; Rule 6.3.
    • (v) When play is restarted by throwing in the ball after a foul(s) between the end-line and the 20m line, the throw-in shall be given on the 20m line opposite where the foul(s) occurred. All players except the player taking the free kick shall be at least 13m from where the free kick is awarded, or, all players except those two contesting the throw-in shall be at least 13m from where the throwin is awarded.
  • 2.3 A penalty kick shall be taken from the ground at the centre point of the 13m line, and only the defending goalkeeper may stand on the goal-line. All other players, with the exception of the player taking the kick, shall be outside the 20m line and the arc, be at least 13m from the ball, and shall not cross the 20m line or the arc until the ball has been kicked. The goalkeeper may move along his line, but may not advance from the goal-line until the ball has been kicked. If a defending player fouls before the ball is kicked and a goal does not result, the referee shall allow the penalty kick to be retaken.
  • 2.5 A free-kick, other than a penalty-kick, may be taken from the hands or from the ground. A player having indicated his option to the referee shall not be permitted to change his decision. The ball shall be stationary when a free kick is taken from the ground.
  • 2.6 With the Referee’s consent, a free kick may be taken immediately. Exceptions: A penalty kick and a free kick awarded to a team from their opponents’ 13m line.
  • 2.7
    • (a) When the ball is played over the end-line by the team attacking that end, play is restarted by a kick-out off the ground from within the small rectangle. The player taking a kick-out may kick the ball more than once before any other player touches it but may not take the ball into his hand(s). If the goalkeeper is not taking the kick-out, he shall stay in the small rectangle, and all other players except the player taking the kick-out shall be outside the 20m line until the ball has been kicked. The ball shall travel 13m before being played by another player of the defending team.
    • (b) After a score, the kick-out shall be taken from the ground on the 20m line in front of the scoring space. All players, except the goalkeeper and the player taking the kick-out (if other than the goalkeeper), shall be outside the 20m line. All other players shall be 13m from the ball until it has been kicked.
    • (c) The Player taking the kick-out after the ball goes wide or a score shall have the option of using a standard tee as approved by Central Council.
  • 2.8 When the ball is played over the end-line and outside the goalposts by the team defending that end, a free kick off the ground shall be awarded to the opposing team on the 45m line opposite where the ball crossed the end-line.
  • 2.9 When a team plays the ball over the side-line, a free kick from the hand(s) shall be awarded to the opposing team from the place where the ball crossed the side-line. If opposing players play the ball simultaneously over the sideline, or if the officials are not sure which team played the ball last, the linesman shall throw in the ball between one player from each team. A ball that strikes a side-line or corner flag shall be treated as having crossed the side-line. All players except the player taking the side-line kick, or the two players contesting the throwin, shall be at least 13m from the ball until it has been kicked or thrown in.
  • 2.10 If the ball touches any non-player during play, play is restarted by throwing in the ball at the place  concerned, but if the ball touches any non-player from a free kick, the free kick shall be retaken. Exception:
    • (i) As provided in Rule 3.3 (a).
    • (ii) If the ball has been prevented from going over a boundary line by a non-player other than the referee, it shall  be treated as having crossed the line, and the referee shall make the appropriate award.
RULE 3 - SCORES
  • 3.1
    • A goal is scored when the ball is played over the goal-line between the posts and under the crossbar by either team.
    • A point is scored when the ball is played over the crossbar between the posts by either team.
    • A goal is equivalent to three points.
RULE 4 - TECHNICAL FOULS
  • 4.11
    • (a) For a player on the team awarded a free kick or a side-line kick to be less than 13m from the ball before it is kicked.
    • (b) For a player on the team awarded a penalty kick to be inside the 20m line or the arc before the ball is kicked.
  • 4.14 To be inside opponents’ 20m line before the kick-out is taken after a wide. PENALTY - Free kick from defenders’ 20m line opposite where the foul occurred.
  • 4.15 When within own small rectangle to be less than 13m from the ball for opponents’ free kick. PENALTY - Penalty kick.
  • 4.16
    • (a) For a player on the team defending a penalty kick, with the exception of the goalkeeper, to be inside the 20m line or the arc before the kick is taken.
    • (b) For the goalkeeper defending a penalty kick to move nearer than 13m before the kick is taken. PENALTY - If a goal is not scored, the referee shall allow the penalty kick to be retaken.
  • 4.17 For an opposing player to be nearer than 13m to the ball before a free kick or a side-line kick is taken. PENALTY - Free kick 13m more advantageous than place of original kick - up to opponents’ 13m line.
  • 4.18 To delay an opponent taking a free kick or side-line kick by hitting or kicking the ball away, not releasing the ball to the opposition, or deliberately not moving back to allow a quick free kick to be taken.
  • 4.19 To interfere with a player taking a free kick  or side-line kick by jumping up and down, waving hands, or any other physical or verbal interference considered by the referee to be aimed at distracting the player taking the kick. Exception: A player holding his hands upright shall not constitute an interference. PENALTY - FOR THE ABOVE FOULS - Free kick 13m more advantageous than the place of original kick - up to opponents’ 13m line.
  • 4.20 For an opposing player to be less than 13m from the ball before a kick-out after a score. PENALTY - Free kick 13m more advantageous than place of original kickout.
  • 4.21 To reset the ball for a kick-out/free kick/penalty from the ground, without the referee’s permission, after the whistle has been blown for the kick-out/free kick/penalty, to be taken from the ground.
  • 4.22 To play the ball again after taking a free kick/ penalty/sideline kick before another player has touched it, unless the ball rebounds off the goal-posts/crossbar.
  • 4.23 To make a divot for the purpose of teeing up the ball for a free kick or kick-out.
  • 4.24 To advance the ball deliberately from the place at which a free kick or side-line kick is to be taken.
  • 4.25 To waste time by delaying the taking of a free kick or side-line kick awarded to own team.
  • PENALTY - For the Above Fouls
    • (i) Cancel free kick or sideline kick.
    • (ii) Throw in the ball where the foul occurred except as provided under Exception (v) of Rule 2.2.
  • 4.26 To use a kicking tee illegally. PENALTY - For the Above Foul
    • (i) Disallow any resultant score
    • (ii) Throw in the ball where the foul occurred except as provided under Exception (v) of Rule 2.2.
  • 4.27 For a player taking the kick-out to take the ball into his hand(s) before another player has played it.
  • 4.28 To be inside own 20m line when one’s team is taking a kickout, except as provided in Rule 2.7.
  • 4.29 For another player on the team taking the kick-out after a wide to play the ball before it has travelled 13m.
  • 4.30 For a player on the team taking the kick-out after a score, other than the player taking the kick, to be less than 13m from the ball when it is kicked.
  • 4.31 To waste time by delaying own kick-out.
  • 4.32 To take the kick-out after a wide from outside the small rectangle. To take the kick-out after a score from outside the 20m line. PENALTY FOR THE ABOVE FOULS -
    • (i) Cancel kick-out.
    • (ii) Throw in the ball on defenders’ 20m line in front of scoring space.
RULE 5 - AGGRESSIVE FOULS
  • 5.2 To kick or attempt to kick an opponent, with minimal force.
  • 5.3 To kick an opponent, either with force or causing injury.
  • 5.4 To attempt to kick an opponent, with force.
  • 5.17 To block or attempt to block with the boot when an opponent is kicking the ball from the hand(s).
  • 5.18 To prevent or attempt to prevent an opponent from lifting or kicking the ball off the ground by striking an opponent’s hand, arm, foot or leg with the boot.