Australian Rules Football - 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.

Aussie Rules - Footy Teams.

An Aussie Rules footy team consists of 22 named players but 4 of these players are substitutes that may be swapped with players on the ground.

Australian Rules Football - 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.

Australian Rules Football - Game 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.

Aussie Rules - Scoring.

There are 4 posts placed on both sides of the playing field in which a player can score. The middle posts are goal posts and the outer posts are point posts. The ball can be kicked or hand-balled through these in order to score. Placing the ball between the middle posts earns 6 points. Placing the ball between the outside posts earns a player 1 point. If a player hits the post with the ball he will earn his team 1 point.

Australian Rules Football - 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.

Australian Rules Football - How To Win.

The team scoring the most points wins. If the score is equal then the game becomes drawn.

Australian Rules Football - Dress.

Players wear team jerseys, shorts, socks and specially studded boots to help player manouvrability.

Australian Rules Football - Officials

A match is controlled by 3 field umpires, two goal umpires, 4 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.