One of Ireland's native Gaelic games , it shares a number of features with Gaelic football , such as the field and goals, the number of players and much terminology. The sliotar can be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air or struck on the ground with the hurley. It can be kicked, or slapped with an open hand the hand pass , for short-range passing. A player who wants to carry the ball for more than four steps has to bounce or balance the sliotar on the end of the stick solo , and the ball can be handled only twice while in the player's possession.
Provided that a player has at least one foot on the ground, he may make a shoulder-to-shoulder charge on an opponent who is in possession of the ball or is playing the ball, or when both players are moving in the direction of the ball. No protective padding is worn by players. A plastic protective helmet with a faceguard is mandatory for all age groups as of The game has been described as "a bastion of humility", with player names absent from jerseys and a player's number decided by his position on the field.
It is played throughout the world [ citation needed ] and is a fixture of life in many parts of Ireland. The players winced at the standard of physicality and intensity in which the hurlers engaged. A hurling pitch is similar in some respects to a rugby pitch but larger.
The grass pitch is rectangular, stretching β metres β yards long and 80β90 m 90β yd wide. There are H -shaped goalposts at each end, formed by two posts, which are usually 6β7 metres 20β23 feet high, set 6. A net extending behind the goal is attached to the crossbar and lower goal posts. The same pitch is used for Gaelic football ; the GAA, which organises both sports, decided this to facilitate dual usage. Lines are marked at distances of 13 metres, 20 metres and 59 metres 41 metres for Gaelic football from each end-line.
Shorter pitches and smaller goals are used by youth teams. Teams consist of fifteen players: a goalkeeper, three full backs, three half backs, two midfielders, three half forwards and three full forwards see diagram. The panel is made up of 24β30 players and five substitutions are allowed per game. An exception can now be made in the case of a blood substitute being necessary. Blood substitutes are a result of one player needing medical treatment for a laceration, usually stitches, and another coming on as a temporary replacement while the injured player is tended to.
