Hurling is one of the oldest sports in the world dating back to 1272, it provides thrilling entertainment to all those who watch and play this exhilarating unique game.  It is a dangerous game and certainly not for the faint hearted, with the ball travelling speeds of 100mph and a player from the opposite team chasing you with a hurl. On the 1st of January 2010 it became compulsory for hurlers to wear helmets with a faceguard attached, an initiative implemented by the GAA to reduce the amounts of injuries that were taking place.  As well as introducing the helmet rule, there is a number of other key rules to protect the players but also to also to keep one  of the most skilful games flowing. Picking the ball up off the ground with your hand instead of flicking it up with your hurl is a free to the other team which results in a free. Throwing the (sliotar) hurling ball instead of  hand passing it with an open hand also results in a free to the opposite team. Another r...