Gaelic Football Rules for Knees that Craic Tournaments
Below is a simplified list of rules tailored for the Knees that tournaments to ensure the games run smoothly and are enjoyable for all participants:
Team Composition
- 13-a-side format (can be adjusted based on participant numbers).
- Mixed teams are encouraged where possible.
Match Duration
- Matches will consist of two halves of 20 minutes each, with a 5-minute break at halftime.
- In case of a draw during knockout/playoff games, a sudden-death penalty shootout will decide the winner.
Scoring
- A goal (ball into the net) = 3 points.
- A point (ball over the crossbar between the posts) = 1 point.
- There will be no 2-point scores in this tournament.
- Highest total score at the end of the game wins.
Playing the Ball
- Players can handle the ball for four consecutive steps before:
- Bouncing it or
- Performing a solo (dropping the ball onto the foot and kicking it back to the hand).
- The ball may be passed by:
- Hand-passing (a striking motion of the ball with the hand).
- Kicking it to a teammate.
- Rising the ball from the ground:
- Men – Foot needs to be placed under the ball and scooped into their hands.
- Ladies – Can pick the ball up directly from the ground.
- Advanced Mark – There will be no marks or advanced marks in this tournament to allow a free flow of play.
Tackling
- This is an over 40’s Tournament and is meant to be fun. Please be mindful of the below tackling rules:
- Shoulder-to-shoulder contact is permitted when contesting the ball.
- Pulling, pushing, or striking an opponent is not allowed.
- No deliberate blocking of an opponent’s path with your hands or pulling of shirt.
Kickouts
- After a score or dead ball, the goalkeeper restarts play with a kickout from the small rectangle from their hands or from the ground (not moving) to speed up play.
- Kickouts must travel beyond the 21-meter line.
- Goal Keeper cannot receive the ball directly from the player who receives the ball from the kick out.
Fouls, Free Kicks & Cautions
- A foul is called for:
- Overcarrying the ball.
- Illegal hand-pass (throwing the ball instead of striking it).
- Dangerous play or unsporting behavior.
- Free kicks are awarded to the fouled team and must be taken from where the foul occurred.
- If any continuous reaction to the referee or match officials occur, the free will be moved forward 10m closer to the opposition goal from the spot of the foul.
- Cautions:
- Yellow card – will be given to a player for a moderate foul, excessive delay of game, or excessive/aggressive verbal to all match officials.
- Black Card – There will be no Black cards in this tournament
- Red Card – will be given to a player who commits a serious foul or violent act. A player who receives a red card is immediately removed from the game and cannot be replaced.
- A player who receives two yellow cards in a single game will be sent off with a red card. In this case, no suspension will be given.
- If a serious foul is committed when a player is on a yellow and deemed a straight red card, player will have a one game suspension.
- Violent fouls including, but not limited to – Striking, Punching, and Kicking of any kind towards another player will be an automatic ban from competing for the remainder of the tournament.
Sideline Balls
- If the ball crosses the sideline, a sideline kick is awarded to the opposing team.
- The kick must be taken from the point where the ball crossed the line.
- Kicker must play the ball behind the line of play and If crossed will result in a hop ball.
Penalties
- Penalty kicks are awarded for fouls committed inside the large rectangle.
- The penalty must be taken from the 11-meter line, with only the goalkeeper defending.
Substitutions
- Unlimited substitutions are allowed but must be made during stoppages in play.
- A player being substituted must leave the field before the replacement enters.
Referee Decisions
- The referee’s decision is final.
- Players must show respect for match officials at all times.
Spirit of the Game
- This is a fun, social tournament: fair play and camaraderie are encouraged.
- Remember: “It’s only craic!”