What Are The Rules For Australian Football? A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the world of Australian Football (AFL) can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with the rules. This article, brought to you by CAUHOI2025.UK.COM, provides a comprehensive overview of the rules, gameplay, and scoring of Australian Football, also known as “Aussie Rules” or “footy.” Learn about the field, scoring, and more.

What is Australian Rules Football?
Where is Aussie Rules Played?
When is the Australian Football League (AFL) Season?
Rules Overview
The Field
The Ball
Players and Positions
- Purposes of Player Positions
Scoring
Starting and Restarting Play
Out of Bounds
Possession and Disposal of the Ball
Shepherding
Free Kicks
Kick-in After Behind
Play On
Relayed Free Kicks
FAQ: Common Questions About Australian Football Rules

1. What is Australian Rules Football?

Australian Rules Football, often called “Aussie Rules” or “footy,” is a contact sport known for its unique blend of athleticism and strategy. Originating in Australia, its roots can be traced back to early forms of Rugby and Gaelic football. The rules were formally established in 1858, predating many modern football codes like American, Canadian, and Association (Soccer) football. Today, the AFL is a multi-million dollar industry, featuring a national competition and numerous smaller leagues globally.

2. Where is Aussie Rules Played?

Aussie Rules enjoys widespread popularity, particularly in certain regions of Australia. It stands as the primary football code in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory. The sport also has a strong following in the Australian Capital Territory. While present in Queensland and New South Wales, it ranks second in popularity to Rugby League in those states.

The Australian Football League (AFL) actively promotes the sport’s growth internationally. They provide assistance to leagues in countries such as Great Britain, Canada, Denmark, Japan, New Zealand, and the USA. According to AFL Great Britain, the sport continues to expand its reach globally.

3. When is the Australian Football League (AFL) Season?

The AFL Premiership season usually kicks off in the last weekend of March and runs until the end of August. The Finals series follows, culminating in the Grand Final, traditionally held on the last Saturday (Friday in the U.S.) of September. A pre-season tournament, known as the NAB Cup, features night games and takes place from late February until the week before the regular season. Exhibition matches are occasionally played overseas during the off-season.

Games are typically played on Saturday afternoons, but AFL matches are also scheduled for Friday nights, Saturday evenings, and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Occasionally, games may be played on Monday nights or public holidays.

For live AFL viewing in the U.S., check out www.espn3.com.

4. Rules Overview

The team that scores the most points wins the game. A match is considered a draw if the scores are equal. A game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 20 minutes of playing time. Umpires keep time on the field, adding time on to the quarter when play is unduly delayed, similar to soccer. Teams switch ends at the end of each quarter.

Breaks between the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters, are a maximum of five minutes. Half-time is a maximum of 20 minutes long, with players allowed to leave the ground for no more than 15 minutes.

5. The Field

Aussie Rules is played on cricket ovals. Consequently, the dimensions of a football field, often called a “ground” or “paddock,” vary. An ideal field should be an oval measuring between 135 and 185 meters in length and 110 and 155 meters in width. The Melbourne Cricket Ground, with dimensions of 165m length by 135m width, is often considered an ideal surface.

The boundary is marked with a white line a few meters from the stands. At each end of the oval are two sets of posts. The inner set, known as the goal posts, are 6.4 meters (roughly 7 yards) apart on the boundary line and at least 6 meters tall.

Two behind posts are positioned 6.4 meters from either side of the goal posts on the boundary line, and must be at least 3 meters tall. All posts must be padded to a height of 2 meters.

A goal square, which is actually a rectangle, extends 9 meters into the ground from the goal posts and is 6.4 meters in width.

A radius is drawn on the oval 50 meters from each goal. This serves as a range finder; any AFL player should be able to kick a goal from this line, and possibly beyond.

The center circle, marked at the precise center of the oval, is 3 meters in diameter and bisected by a lateral line extending 2 meters either side of the diameter, dividing the field in half. A center square, centered on this, is 45 meters on each side. These markings regulate center bounces.

6. The Ball

The ball used in Aussie Rules is an oval-shaped leather bladder, tanned for daytime use or colored yellow for night matches. It is inflated to 69kPa (10 lbs) pressure. Slightly larger and rounder than American or Canadian footballs, it’s designed for kicking.

Length: 270 – 280 mm
Diameter: 167 – 173 mm
Circumference: 720 – 735 mm by 545 – 555 mm
Approximate weight: 450 – 500 grams (Dry weight inflated ball)

7. Players and Positions

A team consists of 18 players, with three interchange players (substitutes) allowed on the bench. Substitutions are permitted at any time during the match through a designated “gate” in front of either bench. Players are typically positioned in five lines of three across the oval, with the remaining three assigned as “followers” to the ball.

Players in each line are usually designated as being in either the left, center, or right position, relative to the direction of attack:

Full Forwards: Left Forward Pocket, Full Forward, Right Forward Pocket
Half Forwards: Left Half Forward, Center Half Forward, Right Half Forward
Center Line: Left Wing, Center, Right Wing
Half Backs: Left Half Back, Center Half Back, Right Half Back
Full Backs: Left Back Pocket, Full Back, Right Back Pocket

The three players assigned to the ball are referred to as “followers,” occupying the positions of Ruckman, Rover, and Ruck-Rover. While players have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground during play. There is no designated “goalie” in Aussie Rules.

Purposes of Player Positions

All players should contest the ball when it’s within their vicinity, unless directed otherwise by coaching instructions. General purposes of player positions, according to their line, include:

Full Forward: Attack the goal, trap the ball in the area.
Half Forward: Attack the goal, set up scoring shots, trap the ball further forward, then hold.
Center Line: Attack the goal, set up scoring shots, recover the ball from the backline, trap the ball further forward, then hold.
Half Back: Hold the ball in the area, attack – clear ball forwards, recover the ball from the backline.
Full Back: Hold the ball in the area, attack – clear ball forwards.

No padding is worn. Mouthguards, soft protective headgear, and shin guards are permitted. Other protection or medical appliances require prior approval. Jewelry is prohibited as a health hazard.

8. Scoring

A goal is scored when the ball is kicked between the two larger goal posts without being touched, earning six points. The ball is then returned to the center circle for a “ball-up.” If the ball passes between the behind posts by any other means, it’s a behind and scores one point. If the ball hits the goal post, a behind is scored, regardless of where the ball goes after the impact.

If the ball is forced or carried, but not kicked, over the scoring line anywhere between the goal posts, a behind is scored. The ball is then kicked back into play from within the goal square, usually by the opposing fullback.

If the ball hits a behind post without bouncing, it is deemed “out on the full,” and the opposing team receives a free kick from next to the behind post. If the ball bounces and hits the behind post, the ball is thrown back into play by the boundary umpire from next to the behind post. No points are scored in either case.

The score is displayed as follows:


North Melbourne	13.15.93
St. Kilda	9.12.66

The first number (A) represents the number of goals scored. The second number (B) is the number of behinds scored. The third number (C) is the calculated score, derived from the formula: A x 6 (goal points) + B = C

9. Starting and Restarting Play

Teams determine the initial choice of goal by a coin toss. The field umpire starts play by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball in the center circle. The ball must rebound vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. If ground conditions prevent the ball from bouncing, the umpire tosses the ball into the air as a “jump ball.” At a center bounce, players cannot enter the center circle or cross the center line into the opponent’s side of the ground until after the ball has been bounced. Only four players from each team are permitted in the center square.

After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above.

Other common situations for restarting play include:

After a behind has been scored: A player from the defending team kicks the ball from within the kick-off ‘square’ in front of the goal, but only after the goal umpire has finished waving his flags. The player must kick the ball to restart play.
After the ball has gone out of bounds: If the ball bounced before going out, the boundary umpire restarts play by throwing it backwards over his head towards the center of the ground. If the ball did not bounce and went over the boundary line as a result of a kick that was not touched, it is “out on the full,” and the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot where the ball went out.
When a pack of players prevents either team from gaining clear possession: Or when a player being tackled or held fails to dispose of the ball (“holding the ball”). The umpire bounces the ball at the spot where play came to a halt.

Each quarter runs for 20 minutes of playing time when the ball is in play. The ball is considered out of play in the following situations:

A goal is scored.
A behind is scored.
The ball goes out of bounds.
The field umpire signals to the time-keeper to stop time.

10. Out of Bounds

A ball that has completely crossed the boundary line is considered out of bounds. If any portion of the ball is on or over the boundary line, the ball is still in play, as it is in soccer. A player can be over the boundary line and in possession of the ball without the ball being considered “out of bounds” if part of the ball is still in play.

11. Possession and Disposal of the Ball

A player may hold the ball for an unlimited time when not held by an opponent.
A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it to the ground once every 15 meters.
A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball. Tackling is permitted, but only between the shoulders and knees.

To handball correctly, a player must hold the ball in one hand and hit it with the clenched fist of the other hand. The hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player’s body. Overhand passing is not permitted.

A mark is awarded when the ball is caught from a kick that has traveled a minimum distance of 10 meters in the air without being touched by another player. The player taking the mark may play on immediately or go back and kick over the position where they took the mark.

12. Shepherding

A player may impede the movement of an opponent player towards the ball, but only within 5 meters of the ball. Shepherding allows a player to push an opponent in the chest or side or to place their body between the opponent and the ball when not in possession. This is comparable to screens in basketball or blocking in American Football.

13. Free Kicks

Free kicks may be awarded against players with or without the ball, generally taken at the spot where the infringement occurred. A free kick is awarded against the player in possession of the ball for the following infringements:

Not disposing of the ball within a reasonable time when held by an opponent.
Not disposing of the ball correctly by handballing or kicking.
Kicking the ball over the boundary line without it bouncing first or being touched by another player.
Deliberately forcing or taking the ball over the boundary line.
Running more than 15 meters without bouncing or touching the ball on the ground.

A free kick is given against any player who:

Grabs an opponent with the ball above the shoulder or below the knees.
Pushes an opponent in the back.
Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
Charges an opponent.
Interferes with an opponent attempting to mark in the air by punching or bumping.
Shepherds an opponent when the ball is more than 5 meters away.
Enters the center square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.

Following a free kick or mark, a 50-meter penalty is given against a player standing on the mark who:

Refuses to stand on the mark as indicated by the umpire.
Deliberately wastes time returning the ball to the player taking the kick.
Holds the player taking the kick, preventing play from continuing.
Runs over the mark before or as the ball is kicked.

14. Kick-in After Behind

If a ball is kicked back into play from the goal square after a behind and goes “out of bounds” without being touched by a player of either team despite bouncing, it is treated as if having gone out of bounds on the full. The attacking team is awarded a free kick.

15. Play On

An umpire may not stop play by awarding a free kick to a player who has been infringed. If the player or a teammate has possession and is in an advantageous position, the umpire calls ‘play-on’ and allows play to continue, “paying the advantage”.

16. Relayed Free Kicks

A player who is infringed upon immediately after disposing of the ball may have a teammate take the free kick from the spot where the ball landed. This is at the umpire’s discretion.

17. FAQ: Common Questions About Australian Football Rules

Q: How many players are on an AFL team?
- A: 18 players on the field, with 3 interchange players on the bench.
Q: How is scoring done in Aussie Rules?
- A: A goal (6 points) is scored by kicking the ball between the two main goal posts. A behind (1 point) is scored if it goes between a goal post and a behind post or hits a goal post.
Q: What is a “mark” in AFL?
- A: A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball cleanly from a kick of at least 15 meters without it being touched by another player in flight.
Q: What is “holding the ball”?
- A: A player who is tackled and doesn’t dispose of the ball legally (by kicking or handballing) is penalized for “holding the ball”.
Q: What does “out on the full” mean?
- A: If a ball is kicked over the boundary line without bouncing or being touched, it’s “out on the full,” and the opposing team gets a free kick.
Q: Can players run with the ball as much as they want?
- A: No, a player running with the ball must bounce it or touch it to the ground at least once every 15 meters.
Q: What is a handball in Aussie Rules?
- A: A handball is a way of passing the ball by hitting it with a clenched fist.
Q: Is tackling allowed in AFL?
- A: Yes, but only between the shoulder and the knees.
Q: What is “shepherding”?
- A: Shepherding is when a player blocks or protects a teammate by impeding an opponent’s path to the ball within 5 meters of the ball.
Q: How long does an AFL game last?
- A: An AFL game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 20 minutes of playing time, with time added on for stoppages.

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