A game of camogie begins with the referee rolling the sliotar along the ground, in the centre of the pitch, between two opposing players. The two players will then do their best, without any physical contact, to retain possession for their team. The sliotar is in play once the referee has given the signal for the game to start or restart. The sliotar can be struck with the caman when it is on the ground, while it is in the air or when lifted from the caman. Players may run with the sliotar balanced or hopping on the bas of the caman.
Players can catch the sliotar, play it on their caman and bring it back to their hands only once.
Under no circumstances can a player lift the sliotar straight from the ground. A player may disposess an opponent by blocking, hooking or tapping them, but under no circumstances can a player side-charge an opponent. Although Dublin have won 26 All-Ireland titles it has been Cork and Kilkenny who have dominated camogie over the last 20 years. Cork have won 19 All-Ireland titles their most recent victory was this year. Cork completed four victories in a row during the 1970s.