In the past few days, referees across the country have received an updated set of Gaelic football rules for the 2026 season. These are not proposals, trials, or interpretations, they are the rules as they will be applied on the field.
Given the level of confusion that often surrounds rule changes, we have gone through each rule carefully and broken them down in a question and answer format, exactly as they are written and enforced. This is designed as a practical guide for players, coaches, officials, and supporters who want clarity, not commentary.
What follows is a rule-by-rule explanation, with distances, sanctions, and conditions laid out clearly, so everyone knows precisely what is allowed, what is not, and what the punishment is when a rule is broken.
Throw In
Q: How many players contest the throw-in now?
A: It is 1v1 from each team for the throw-in.
Q: Where do the other midfielders stand?
A: The remaining midfielders stand on the halfway line.
Q: Who chooses which side of the halfway line the midfielder stands on?
A: The loser of the toss has the choice of which side the midfielder stands on.
Q: Do the sidelines swap at half-time?
A: Yes, sidelines swap at half-time.
Q: What happens if a player moves early from the sideline or 45m line before the ball is thrown in to start, or restart after half-time or extra-time?
A: A free kick from the midpoint of the halfway line is awarded.
Q: What happens if opposing players foul simultaneously at a throw-in?
A: It is a hop ball where the fouls occur simultaneously.
Kick-Outs
Q: How far away must players be for a kick-out?
A: All players must be 13 metres away, but they may stand anywhere, including behind the 20m line and inside the 40m arc.
Q: What is the sanction if a player is not 13 metres away?
A: A free kick from where the foul occurred.
Q: What is the sanction for interfering with the goalkeeper taking a kick-out?
A: A 50m advance.
Q: What conditions must be met before a defender can play a kick-out?
A: The ball must be kicked forward and must travel outside the 40m arc and the 20m line before a defender can play it.
Q: What is the sanction if that restriction is breached?
A: A free kick from where the foul occurred.
Q: Once the ball is kicked forward correctly, what can an attacking player do?
A: Once kicked forward, the attacking player may play the ball anywhere.
Q: What is the sanction for other kick-out infringements such as time-wasting or taking the ball into the hand too early?
A: For the following infringements:
- Time-wasting
- Taking the ball into the hand before another player has touched it
- Taking the kick-out from the wrong place
The sanction is a free kick on the 13m line in front of the scoring space.
Goalkeeper
Q: Must a team have a goalkeeper?
A: Yes, a team must have a goalkeeper.
Q: When can a goalkeeper receive the ball from a teammate in open play?
A: Only in the following circumstances:
- Both the goalkeeper and the outfield player are inside the large rectangle, and the ball must have been played into the rectangle by the opposition
- When the goalkeeper is in the opposition half of the field
- An incidental touch in flight is permitted
Q: What is specifically not allowed?
A: A team cannot pass to a teammate in the square and then pass to the goalkeeper.
Q: What is the sanction for an illegal pass to the goalkeeper?
A: A free kick from where the goalkeeper receives the ball.
If this occurs inside the 13m line, the free is taken from the 13m line in line with where the goalkeeper received the ball.
Q: Can the goalkeeper carry the ball back across the halfway line?
A: Yes, the goalkeeper may carry the ball back across the halfway line.
Q: Can the goalkeeper intercept passes from the opposition?
A: Yes, the goalkeeper may intercept any opposition pass.
Scoring Rules
Q: How much is a goal worth?
A: A goal is worth 3 points, signalled by a green flag.
Q: When is a point worth 2 points?
A: A score taken from on or outside the 40m arc is worth 2 points, signalled by two raised arms and an orange flag.
Q: What conditions must be met for a two-point score?
- The scorer must have one foot on or outside the 40m arc
- The ball must pass over the bar without touching any other attacking player
Q: What if the ball touches a defender?
A: Any touch by a defending player does not affect the value, it remains 2 points.
Q: What if it touches an attacking player?
A: The score becomes 1 point.
Q: How much is a normal point inside the arc worth?
A: A point scored inside the 40m arc is worth 1 point, signalled by a white flag.
Q: How much is a 45 worth?
A: A 45 is worth 1 point.
The 4v3 Rule
Q: What is the 4v3 rule?
A: Each team must have:
- 4 players in their defensive half
- 3 players in their attacking half
This applies at all times, even when a team is reduced in numbers.
Q: What happens if a “stay up” player crosses the halfway line while trying to win the ball or tackle?
A: A free kick where the player crossed the halfway line.
Q: What is the standard sanction for a 4v3 breach?
A: A free kick from the centre of the 20m line in the offending team’s half, which may be brought out for a 2-point attempt.
Q: When is there no breach of the 4v3 rule?
There is no breach when the player:
- Acts unintentionally
- Is within 4m of the halfway line
- Is not interfering with play
- Is not interfering with an opponent
- Is not gaining an advantage
Mark and Advanced Mark
Q: What happens if a player is tackled within 4m of a kick-out mark?
A: A free kick where tackled.
Q: What is the sanction for delaying a mark?
A: A free against if delayed beyond 15 seconds.
Q: What is the sanction for stopping or delaying a free from a mark?
A: A 50m advance.
Q: What are the conditions for an advanced mark?
A: The ball must be:
- Kicked from outside the 45m line
- Caught on or inside the 20m line
Q: What options does a player have after claiming an advanced mark?
- Raise the hand and take the free kick
- Play on immediately
Q: Can the player be tackled if they play on?
A: Yes, immediately.
Q: How long can advantage be played from a mark?
A: Unlimited time to attempt to gain advantage. If no score results, play returns to the original free.
Q: What if the player commits a foul while playing advantage?
- Technical foul: return to original free
- Aggressive foul: free against
Solo and Go
Q: How must Solo and Go be taken?
A: It must be taken immediately.
Q: What if the solo is delayed or fumbled?
A: The player is required to take a free instead.
Q: What if a player signals for a free and then takes Solo and Go?
A: A free against that player.
Q: Can a player charge with the ball during Solo and Go?
A: No.
Q: Can Solo and Go be taken inside the opponent’s 20m line?
A: No.
Q: How close must it be taken to the foul location?
A: Within 4 metres.
Q: When can it be challenged?
A: After 4 metres have been travelled.
Q: What if an opponent challenges inside 4 metres?
A: A 50m advance.
Q: Can the player travel backwards?
A: No, doing so results in a free against.
Timing and Hooter
Q: How is time managed?
A: The referee stops and starts the watch for stoppages.
Q: How is this signalled?
A: Crossed hands above the head and a whistle.
Q: When does a half end?
A: When the hooter sounds.
Q: If the ball is in flight when the hooter sounds and results in a score, does it count?
A: Yes, provided no attacking player touches the ball.
Q: Can a free, sideline, or 45 be taken after the hooter?
A: Yes, from hand or ground, and any resulting score counts provided no attacking player touches the ball.
Q: What about penalties?
A: A penalty awarded before the hooter may still be taken, and any resulting score counts provided only the goalkeeper touches the ball.