How Gaelic Football Works

The aim

Two teams try to score more than the other. A team can score a goal or a point.

• A goal is worth three points and is scored by getting the ball into the net.
• A point is worth one point and is scored by kicking or hand-passing the ball over the crossbar.
• The final score is written as goals-points-total, such as 2-08 (14).

Moving the ball

• Players may carry the ball, but they cannot take unlimited steps.
• A player usually takes four steps before bouncing or soloing the ball.
• A bounce is a hand-to-ground bounce. A solo is dropping the ball onto the foot and kicking it back into the hands.
• The ball may be kicked, hand-passed, or punched to a teammate.
• A player may not pick the ball directly off the ground with the hands; it must be lifted with the foot.

Scoring and restarts

• A goalkeeper restarts play with a kick-out after the ball goes wide or over the end line.
• A 45-metre kick is awarded when a defending player puts the ball over their own end line without a score.
• A free kick is taken after many fouls. The referee may allow advantage when the fouled team benefits from continuing play.
• The team with the higher total score at full time wins.

Common fouls

• Holding, pushing, tripping, or charging dangerously.
• Deliberately handling the ball on the ground.
• Taking too many steps without bouncing or soloing.
• Picking the ball up directly from the ground.
• Small technical fouls usually result in a free. Serious or repeated fouls can result in a yellow, black, or red card depending on the offence.

Match structure

Matches are divided into two halves with a half-time interval. Match length, substitutions, competition rules, and extra time can vary by age group and competition.

Players should follow the referee's instructions and their team's competition rules on the day.