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Active in ALL matches from January 2024.

A player may not deliberately “head” the ball.

The only exception is a Behind who is standing between the goal-posts and inside the 3-yard-line and trying to prevent a Goal being scored.

If a player who is not a Behind heads the ball and thereby prevents a Goal from being scored, then a Penalty-goal should be awarded.

If any player heads the ball and thereby prevents the ball from becoming Rougeable, then a Penalty-point should be awarded and the ball should be treated as Rougeable; i.e. the attacking side is given the choice of 3 points or a Set-Piece-Bully or Free-kick on the 3-yard-line. (See K-12)

N.B.

For a long time heading the ball was not a Field Game technique.

In light of research about the risks associated with the frequent heading of footballs AND in view of the current use of the Size 4 Gaelic football as the ball of choice for Field Game, it was decided to introduce this new Law on an experimental basis in junior competitions in 2022. From the start of the 2024 season it has also applied to School Field matches, to Senior House Ties, Senior League, and Sine Coloribus League.