Hurling

Hurling (in Irish, iománaíocht or iomáint) is an Irish outdoor team sport that is similar to hockey and is played by two teams of 15 people.

The object of the game is for players to use a wooden axe-shaped stick, called a hurley (in Irish a "camán", pronounced kam-awn) or a hurl, to hit a small ball, called a sliotar (pronounced slith-er), between the opponents' goalposts either over the crossbar for one point, or under the crossbar into a net guarded by a goalkeeper for one goal, which is equivalent to three points.

The ball may be caught in the hand and carried for not more than four steps, struck in the air, or struck on the ground with the stick. It may 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 three steps must bounce or balance the ball on the end of the stick, and the ball may be handled only twice while in the player's possession.

Statistics

Hurling stick (Hurley) and ball (sliotar) (Irish Camán agus sliotar)

Playing field

A standard hurling pitch

Hurling is played on a pitch approximately 137 m long and 82 m wide The goals at each end of the field are formed by two posts, which are usually 6 m high, set 6.4 m apart, and connected 2.44 m above the ground by a crossbar. A net extending in back of the goal is attached to the crossbar and lower goal posts.

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