The International Rules has come back to a mix reaction. Some players see it as a fan way to end the season by playing for your country and others see it as a waste of time. The AFL sees it as a way to generate interest to the Irish. AFL fans mainly see it as a waste of time.

Todays post features the rules of the game and Fridays post will feature the two teams and Mondays will feature the wrap ups of the two games (24th & 31st Oct).

THE FIELD

The International Rules Series will be played on a rectangular field measuring 145m in length and 90m in width. As well as the mid-line, there are markings at 45, 20 and 13m from each goal. A maximum of two players per side are allowed between the 45m lines at centre bounces, and the goalkeeper must kick the ball back into play from within the 13m line following overs, behinds or when the ball goes out of bounds over the goal line.

SCORING

At either end of the ground are two point posts and two goal posts with a crossbar and a soccer-style net between the goal posts.

A player can score a goal, which earns six points, by kicking or knocking (not handpassing) the ball into the net, in which case the goal umpire raises both index fingers and signals by waving a green flag.

An over (three points) is scored when the ball is kicked or knocked over the crossbar, whereby the goal umpire extends one arm over his head and waves a red flag.

When the ball travels between the goal and point posts, a behind (one point) is registered, with the goal umpire raising one index finger and waving a white flag.

Play-on will be called if the ball bounces back into play after hitting any of the four posts or the crossbar, while no score is registered if a player on the attacking side carries the ball over the goal or behind line.

If both teams have won one match following the Tests in Perth and Melbourne, the team with the highest aggregate score is awarded the series, while Australia (having won the previous series) retains the trophy if the aggregate score is equal after both matches.

THE OFFICIALS

To complement independent video match referee Ian Curlewis, AFL umpire Stephen McBurney and GAA referee Pat McEnaney have been appointed as on-field officials for the 2008 International Rules Series.

GENERAL RULES

Red/yellow cards:

If an on-field or video referee adjudges a player to have committed a serious offence, he may send the player from the field for the remainder of the match by issuing a red card. Such infractions include insulting a match referee as well as striking, deliberately kicking, head-butting or gouging an opponent. Yellow cards can be issued for wrestling, misconduct, fronting up to an opponent or any other form of physical intimidation, as well as being the third man into a melee.

20-metre penalties:

The AFL’s 50-metre penalty is reduced to 20 metres in the International Rules Series.

Legal tackles:

A legal tackle constitutes grabbing an opponent in possession of the football between the shoulders and thighs, using both arms. One-armed tackles are not permitted. If the player being tackled does not dispose of the ball correctly, he will be penalised.

Opposition players are not allowed to check, challenge or tackle the goalkeeper inside the rectangle area unless he delays the play of the ball. However, the goalkeeper can be tackled when in possession outside his designated area.

Penalty kicks:

If a defender commits an offence in the rectangle directly in front of goal or a personal foul in the larger rectangle in front of goal, a penalty kick is awarded. The player who has been fouled takes the kick from the penalty spot, either placing the ball on the ground or kicking it out of his hands.

The goalkeeper must not move forward of his goal line until the ball is kicked, but is allowed to move along the line in anticipation of the kick.

Marking:

Although Gaelic Football does not recognise marks, as per the rules in Australian Football, a mark will be awarded if a player catches the ball after it has been kicked at least 15m by another player.

Out of bounds:

When the ball goes out of play, a free kick is awarded against the team that last touched the ball. A player from the opposition can either kick or handpass the ball back into play.

Running bounces:

When running with the ball, players must bounce or touch it on the ground every 10m (or six steps). However, there is no limit to the number of times players can ‘solo’ or ‘toe tap’ the ball between hand and foot instead of bouncing.

Bumping:

Shoulder charges or bumps are allowed, provided neither player is airborne and the football is no more than 5m away. However, ‘shepherding’ or unreasonably charging a player will result in a free kick and/or an order off.

Gathering the ball:

A free kick will be awarded against any player on the ground or on his knees who picks up the ball or drags it back into a pack. To promote free-flowing ball movement, the ball can only be knocked on in these situations.

Advantage rule:

Referees can allow play to continue once a free kick has been awarded if they deem it will advantage the receiving team, but there is no recall mechanism in the International Rules Series.

THE CHANGES from 2005

Video match referee:

South African-born lawyer Ian Curlewis has been appointed to this fully independent role to report yellow or red card infractions not detected by match officials. These will be relayed during stoppages or at breaks between quarters. Curlewis, who has a background in officiating disciplinary tribunals in rugby, cricket, tennis and squash, will also help match officials decide who to refer to the International Rules Series tribunal, if needed.

Tribunal penalties:

As opposed to previous series, the tribunal will have the power to impose sanctions that apply during the AFL premiership season and GAA National Football League matches.

Tackling:

In light of recent AFL changes and the implications of Danyle Pearce’s tackle on Ireland’s Graham Geraghty in the 2006 series, a player who slings, slams or drives an opponent into the ground when executing a tackle shall be guilty of gross misconduct and shown a red card. This will result in an order-off for the remainder of the match without replacement.

Replacements:

A yellow card offence will result in players being sent off for 10 minutes, with no replacement allowed during this time.

Time-keeping:

Matches will run for 72 minutes, with four quarters of 18 minutes each, plus additional time added for breaks in play such as the blood rule, stretcher injuries or order-offs.

Interchange players:

While the number of on-field players remains at 15, each side will be able to use nine interchange players (up from eight in 2006) during the course of a game. All team members and interchange players shall be identified on the official team sheet 45 minutes before the game.

Interchange restrictions:

Each team is permitted a maximum of 10 player interchanges per quarter, with unlimited interchanges allowed at quarter breaks. Sides are not permitted to carry over unused interchanges from one quarter to another.

Kick-outs:

The goalkeeper will be the only player permitted to take kick-outs from within the 13m rectangle. All other players must remain outside the 20m line until the ball has been kicked into play.

Handpass:

With the Irish unfamiliar with handballing, it will be permitted for IRS players to play the ball away with either hand or fist, provided there is a definite, underhand striking action.

Consecutive handpasses:

To encourage a kicking game, teams in possession of the football shall not be allowed to make more than four consecutive handpasses before disposing of the ball by foot.