Explaining the rules for the Fenway Hurling Classic

The following are the rules for the Super Hurling 11s, Fenway Hurling Classic in Fenway Park, Boston, on Sunday 18 Nov 2018.

The Fenway Hurling Classic is Boston Bound this November 18th! #Super11s is making it's way to @RedSox, @fenwaypark! Who will claim the Fenway Hurling Classic Cup? Will it be @GaaClare, @OfficialCorkGAA, @OfficialWexGAA or All-Ireland Champions @LimerickCLG? pic.twitter.com/scLR0JMlBT

— The GAA (@officialgaa) November 10, 2018

Limerick take on Wexford next Sunday in the 2018 Fenway hurling Classic in Boston. The winners will face either Cork or Clare in the decider, with all games being televisde on TG4.

The Fenway Classic takes on a completely different format than that of hurling, with the rules explained below.

Dimensions

The field of play shall be rectangular, and its dimensions shall be as follows:

Length  – 100 yards 

Width  –   53 yards.

The field of play will be laid out in two halves with a Defensive Zone 20 yards into the field of play from each endline.

Number of Players

Each team shall consist of eleven players on the field of play.

There is no limit on the number of substitutions that can be made in a game.

Duration of Game

The playing time shall consist of two periods of twenty minutes each, but time shall be added on in each period for incidental or deliberate delays. There shall be a six minute break between each period in the first two games on the day and a twelve minute break in the final.

Starting the Game

At the start of each period of play the referee shall throw in the ball along the ground at the centre point of the field of play between one player from each team who shall stand each side of the halfway line facing the referee.  On the referee’s signal the ball may be played.  All other players shall be at least 10 yards from the ball.

Hand passing

The ball may be passed with the hand no more than once consecutively by players on the same team. 

Penalty for infringement – Free puck to other team at the point where the foul was committed. 

Kicking

The ball may not be intentionally kicked.

Penalty for infringement – Free puck to other team at the point where the foul was committed. 

Scoring

A goal scored from within the Defensive Zone is equivalent to three points.  A goal scored from outside the Defensive Zone is equivalent to five points. 

Time Limits

Once a team gains possession it shall have thirty seconds to attempt to score a goal.  If it fails to do so possession shall pass to the other team by the ball being placed on the ground by the player in possession.  All players on that player’s team must retreat 5 yards.  The ball shall be played by the opposing team as a free puck.

In the last two minutes of each period of twenty minutes the period for attempting to score shall be reduced to twenty seconds.

Puck Outs

A puck out cannot be taken until the referee signals.  

The ball cannot be played by a player on the team taking the puck out until it goes into the opposition team’s half or is played by a player on the opposition team.  Penalty for infringement – Free puck to other team at the point where the foul was committed. 

If from a puck out the ball fails to go into the opposition team’s half or is not played by a player on the opposition team the opposition team is awarded a free puck from the halfway point on either sideline.

Penalty Pucks

If a foul is committed by a player in his own team’s Defensive Zone a penalty puck shall be awarded to the opposing team.

A penalty puck shall be struck from a point no closer than 20 yards and straight from the centre point of the goal-line.  

For penalty pucks the ball may be struck with the hurley in either of two ways:

Lift the ball with the hurley and strike it, or strike the ball on the ground.

Only one defending player may stand on the goal-line. All other players, with the exception of the player taking the puck, shall be behind the closest point to the goal line from which the penalty puck may be taken and at least 10 yards from the point from which the penalty puck is taken until the ball has been struck. If a defending player fouls before the ball is struck and a goal does not result, the referee shall allow the penalty puck to be retaken.  The fouling player shall incur temporary suspension.

“Sixty fives”/Short Corners

When the ball is played over the end-line and outside the goal-posts by the team defending that end, a free puck shall be awarded to the opposing team.  The free puck shall be taken from a point eight yards on the side of the goal on which the ball went out of play.  Only one defending player may stand on the goal-line and a maximum of four other defending players (two on each side of the goal) may stand on the end line no closer to the goal than three and a half yards. Three attacking players may stand on the 20 yard line.  All other players shall be in the other half of the field.  

Following the taking of the free puck the attacking team shall be allowed one touch of the ball with the hurley outside the Defensive Zone and up to one further touch of the ball with the hurley to attempt to score a goal. The next touch has to be by the defending team. 

 The defending players on the endline may not encroach onto the field of play until the refereee signals the free puck may be taken.

Penalty Shoot Out

In the event of the teams finishing the game on level scores each team will alternate five penalty pucks If one team is not ahead on goals after these five penalty pucks, each team shall take a further one penalty each, repeated until only one team scores

Temporary Suspensions

Where a player commits a cautionable foul he shall be temporarily suspended from the field of play for a period of two minutes playing time.  After the expiration of this period the said player may return to field of play in the same manner as a substitute

A player temporarily suspended from the field of play cannot be replaced.