Ninh explains the Rules of International Rules Football
The object of the game is for your team to score more points than the opposing team.
‘International Rules Football’, sometimes referred to as ‘Compromise Rules Football’
– is a hybrid sport that combines Gaelic Football from Ireland, and Aussie Rules Football
from Australia.
Both sports are played similarly and it might be helpful to watch my videos on both games
– the links are down below.
International Rules Football is played with two teams of 15 players each, on a rectangular
field that’s generally a maximum of 145m x 85m.
The ball is a round ball just like in Gaelic Football.
The goals are 6.5m wide and the crossbar is 2.5 m above the ground just like in Gaelic
Football, with the addition of wide posts just like in Aussie Rules Football.
If a player successfully kicks the ball under the crossbar into the net, this is a ‘goal’
and is worth 6 points.
If a player kicks or deflects the ball over the crossbar, but between the goalposts, this
is an ‘over’ and this scores 3 points.
If a player kicks or deflects the ball between a long goal post and a short behind post,
this is a ‘behind’ and this scores 1 point.
The game is played in 4 x 18 minute quarters for a combined playing time of 72 minutes.
Highest score at the end of time, wins.
Surely it’s not that simple?
Well, the basic concept of the game is simple enough, but moving the ball around the field
is the most difficult part to understand.
You can move the ball by Kicking it out of your hands, kicking it along
the ground.
And running with the ball, so long as it’s no more than six steps, or roughly 10 metres.
If after 10m you want to keep the ball, you must bounce the ball on the ground to be eligible
to take another 6 steps.
You are only allowed to bounce the ball twice before disposing or getting rid of the ball.
You can also choose to move the ball by tapping it off your foot, known as soloing, just like
in Gaelic Football.
And you can do this as many times as you like.
A player can catch the ball with his hands in the air.
A player can hand pass to a teammate, however, a team cannot hand pass on 4 successive occasions.
If you kick the ball in the air 15 metres or more, and a teammate catches it without
the ball bouncing on the ground, this is known as a ‘mark’ or ‘marking the ball’.
The player is then awarded a free kick from that spot.
Got it so far?
Good, because there’s more.
There are 15 members of the opposing team who are trying to take the ball away from
you so that they can score themselves.
They are allowed to make contact with any opponent so long as they have the ball, or
if no-one has possession, make contact with any opponent within a 5m radius of the ball.
They are also allowed to use their hands to block shots, or to knock the ball out of your
grasp.
Just like in Australian Rules Football, you are allowed to tackle the ball carrier.
This is where you grab the ball carrier under the shoulders and above the waist and pull
them to the ground.
If they do tackle you and you had a chance to get rid of the ball, this results in a
free kick to the tackling team.
That’s a lot to take in, but there’s a few other things you’ll need to know before
playing or going to a game.
For example: Free Kick
A free kick is a restart in play, usually after a player has broken one of the rules,
or after tackle.
If a foul or tackle occurs, a free kick is awarded at that spot.
When taking a free kick, the player can kick the ball from his hands, or from the ground.
Order off For serious offences, a player can be sent
off with a yellow card, but a substitute may replace him.
Or a Red Card where you are sent off the pitch without a substitute replacement.
20m Penalty.
If a team has had a free kick awarded against them, depending on the severity, the referee
may also add a 20m penalty to it.
This is where the non-offending team can take their free kick 20m closer to the goal.
Penalty Kick A free kick offence in the goalkeeper box,
may result in a penalty kick.
The ball is placed on the ground at the 13 m line and only the goalkeeper can guard the
net.
Just like in soccer, it’s one kick only, and any goals scored count towards the overall
score.
Interchange A team is allowed to substitute a certain
number of players per period.
To do this, they must swap players in the designated interchange area.
Free Kick or Mark after the Siren Similar to Aussie Rules Football, if a free
kick or mark has been awarded but the time runs out, the game doesn’t end there.
You are allowed to take the kick.
This means that games can be won (or lost) with no time left on the clock.
Remember to watch my videos on Gaelic Football and Aussie Rules Football to get a solid grounding
of the rules.
But if you have found this video at all helpful, please like, share and subscribe.
It takes me ages to make one of these videos and good karma is very much appreciated.
But in the meantime, enjoy International Rules Football.
Ninh Ly - www.ninh.co.uk - @NinhLyUK