What is Australian Football?

AFL’s A Beginner’s Guide to Australian Football

AFL Canada Match Replays

The Field, Positions, and scoring

Traditionally, footy is played on a large oval field with four uprights at each end. At the professional level, each team has 18 players on the field – 6 forwards, 6 midfielders, and 6 backs.

However, the positions, field, and rules can be modified depending on the number and skill of players. In Quebec, we primarily play 9-12 a side footy as our matches take place on standard soccer, rugby, or Canadian football fields. Our Quebec Saints representative team however will generally play with 16-18 a side as these matches take place on larger grounds for tournaments.

When it comes to positioning, there are no offsides and players may move the ball in any direction. Teams work together to kick the ball through the upright posts at the end of the fields. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked through the centre posts, worth 6 points. Play restarts at the center of the ground. A behind, worth 1 point, is scored if the ball goes through the outside posts, hits the post, or is touched by another player. A behind results in a turnover and a free kick from the goal square.

Let’s Talk Footy

Footy is a fast-paced, high scoring game. The rules are designed to protect the players going for the ball and reward players for moving the ball quickly and effectively. Below are some frequently asked questions & terminology to help you better understand the game.

Moving the Ball

There are two primary ways to move the ball – kicking or handpassing. Players may also run with the ball but must bounce the ball (or touch it to the ground) every 15m. Unlike rugby, players may move the ball in any direction.

Disposal

A disposal is a handpass or kick. A player must dispose of the ball before being tackled.

Handpass

A handpass is similar to an underhand volleyball serve. A player must strike the ball with a closed fist and cannot throw or toss it before impact.

Kick

The primary way of moving the ball. A ball is kicked if it is struck below the knee.

Mark

A player who catches a kicked ball that has travelled more than 15 meters is awarded a mark. The player may take an unimpeded free kick from behind the spot of the mark, handpass to a teammate, or play on themselves.

Reading the Scoreboard

The scoreboard is laid out to display goals (6 points), behinds (1 point), and total score for each team. A typical score may be displayed as 10.8.68, and is read as 10 goals, 8 behinds, for 68 total points

Goal

A goal is scored when the ball goes through the two taller, centre posts. It is worth 6 points.

Behind

A behind is scored when the ball goes through the outside posts, is touched before going through, is handpassed through the goals, or is brought through by the defending team. It is worth 1 point.

Ball Up

The umpire throws the ball up to be contested by two opposing players to restart play, similar to a ball up in basketball or face off in hockey.

Tackle

A legal tackle must be between the knees and shoulders and cannot drive the player into the ground from behind.

Prior Opportunity

A player with the ball may be tackled by a member of the opposing team. If the player with the ball could have gotten rid of the ball before being tackled, known as prior opportunity, the tackling team is awarded a free kick. If, instead, the player is immediately tackled or had no chance to make a play before being tackled, the play is whistled dead and the umpire throws the ball up.

Holding the Ball

If a player is tackled without properly disposing of the ball, they are penalized for “holding the ball” and the tackling team is awarded a free kick.

Fifty-Metre Penalty

A fifty-metre penalty, or fifty, is awarded for serious offenses. The team with the ball is advanced 50 metres from the spot of the foul and may take a free kick.

Advantage

When a free kick is awarded, a player on the offensive team may play on immediately and given “advantage”, similar to soccer. The play must not have stopped moving for advantage to be awarded.

Shepherding

A player may block, or shepherd, an opposing player within 5 meters of the ball, as long as they do not come in contact with the head or back.

Centre Square

Only 4 players from each team are allowed in the centre square during a centre bounce.

Center Bounce

The ball is thrown up from the centre of the ground to begin each quarter or following a goal.

The Hot Spot

A term used to describe the area immediately in front of goals where players are most dangerous.

The Corridor

A term used to describe the centre of the ground from goal to goal. Teams use “the corridor” when aggressively trying to score a goal.

On The Full

A ball that travels out of bounds from a kick, without touching the ground or another player, is said to go out “on the full” and the opposing team is awarded a free kick.