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QUICK FACTS
Almost 2.5 million Aussies watch a game of Australian rules football every week.
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The Footy Pitch
A football pitch is oval in shape and covered in grass. It should be between 135 to 185 metres long and between 110 and 155 metres wide. |
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Footy Teams.
An Aussie Rules footy team consists of 20 named players but 2 of these players are substitutes that may be swapped with players on the ground. |
Duration
A game lasts four quarters, each of 25 minutes playing time. Teams change ends after each quarter.
A maximum of 3 minutes is allowed between the 1st and 2nd quarters; 15 minutes at half time; and 5 minutes between 3rd and 4th quarters.
The timekeepers sound a bell at the end of each quarter. Play ceases when the field umpire sounds his whistle to indicate that he has heard the bell.
Time-on may be added when there has been an undue delay, for example in getting the ball when it goes out of play. |
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Substitution.
A substitute may not normally enter the field until the player he is replacing has left.
If a player appears to have been so seriously injured that he cannot be removed immediately, he may be replaced before he has left the field at his captain's request and with the field umpire's Permission.
A replaced player may not return to the game. |
How To Win
The team scoring the most points wins. If the score is equal then the game becomes drawn. |
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Dress.
Players wear team jerseys, shorts, socks and specially studded boots to help player manouvrability. |
Officials.
A match is controlled by a field umpire , two goal umpires, 2 boundary umpires and 2 timekeepers. The officials are there to ensure that the ball is kept in play and that the game is played according to the rules. |
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Starting the Game
The captains toss for a choice of ends. At the start of each quarter and after a goal the field umpire blows his whistle and bounces the ball in the centre circle. He may throw the ball in the air if the ground is unsuitable.
No player may enter the circle and, until the ball touches the ground, only four players are allowed inside the square. |
Scoring
A goal is scored when a player kicks the ball between the goal posts (centre posts) without touching the posts or another player (6 points).
A behind is scored:
a) when the ball goes between the goalposts without fulfilling all of the conditions needed for a goal to be scored.
b) when the ball touches or passes over a goalpost; or
c) passes over a behind line without touching a behind post;
d) when the ball is kicked or carried over the behind or goal line by a defender.
If a ball touches or passes over a behind post, it becomes out of play.
When a player is kicking at goal from a mark or free kick, the kick must be on a direct line through the mark to the centre of the goal line.
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Scoring after time is allowed if:
a) the ball was in transit before the bell;
b) the player was awarded a free kick;
c) the player took a mark before bell.
Scoring is not allowed after time if the ball was touched in transit or touched by any player below the knee. |
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The Ball.
The ball is made of hide with a rubber bladder inside. It is normally provided by the home team. The ball may only be changed with the consent of both captains. A standard ball weighs 454 to 482 grams and has a short circumference of 57.2cm and a long circumference of 73.6cm. |
Bouncing the Ball.
The field umpire bounces the ball:
a) at the start of each quarter;
b) after a goal;
c) when there is doubt over which player has taken a mark;
d) when a player kicking off from behind, kicks off from outside the kick-off lines;
e) in scrimages;
f) when a player is unable, through accident, to kick from a mark or free kick;
g) when the ball has been bounced and has gone over the goal line, behind line, or boundary line without having been touched by any player;
h) when a player claims a mark, the ball having been touched, and retains posession when held by an opponent, if the field umpire is satisfied the player has not heard his call "play on";
i) when the goal umpire cannot see whether the ball crossed the goal line. |
Kick-off.
A kick-off occurs after a behind, unless a free kick has been given, the defending side kick the ball from within the kick-off lines.
No opponent is allowed within 10 metres of those lines. The ball must be kicked clear of the hands and feet but does not have to be kicked over the kick-off line. |
| Running With the Ball.
A player may run with the ball but he must bounce or touch it to the ground at least once every 10 metres.
If, when running with the ball, a player hits it over the opponent's head and catches it, he must bounce or touch it on the ground, or pass it within 10 metres. |
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