Summary of the Sport:
Rule: |
Description: |
Number of Players |
11 players per team on the field at any point of time; there are no goalkeepers in this sport. |
Object of the Game |
To score goals & behinds. There are 4 goalposts at each end of the field. The object of the game is to put the ball in your opponents goal. |
The Ball |
A spherical ball roughly 22cm (8.65 in) in diameter & 68-70cm (26.77-27.55 in) in circumference. |
Time Limit |
Two 45-minute halves, with a 15-minute half-time intermission after the first half. There is added time to make up for time elapsed. |
Number of Referees |
3 referees plus booth review. |
Protective Gear |
Only shin guards, mothguards, & cleats. |
Advancing the Ball |
Players must bounce the ball every 15 meters (or 10 strides; umpires discretion). Players can stand/pass in any direction (No throwing, passing allowed only with kicking and a 'hand-ball' pass). No more than 3 players for both teams can be in the combined Goal/Penalty Areas. |
Contact? |
Shoulder-to-shoulder contact with the ball carrier and slapping the ball out of an opponent's hand are permitted. Tackling an opponent is not permitted. |
Scoring Methods |
Goals (3-inside center line; 6-outside center line) Behinds (1-inside center line; 2-outside center line) |
The Pitch:
- Overall Dimensions = 100-130yds x 50-100yds (90-120m x 45-90m); Optimal Dimensions = 110-120yds x 780-80yds (100-110m x 64-73m).
- Goalposts = 8yds (7.32m) wide x 15m (16yds) high.
- Behind posts = 6yds (5.5m) wide x 10m (11yds) high.
- Goal Area = 20yds x 6yds (18.3m x 5.5m).
- Penalty Area = 44yds x 18yds (40.3m x 16.5m).
- Center Circle = 20yds (18.3m) in diameter.
- Soccer Ball:
a) Circumference = 68-70cm (27-28").
b) Weight = 410-450g (14-16oz).
c) Inside Pressure = 8.7-16.1psi - Gaelic Football:
a) A round leather football made of 18 stitched leather panels, similar in appearance to a traditional volleyball (but larger).
b) Circumference = 68–70 cm (27–28”).
c) Weight = 480-500g (17–18 oz) when dry.
- Teams change ends at the end of each half.
- A game/match is overseen by 6 officials:
a) 1 Field Umpire - the field umpire (also known as a central umpire) is responsible controlling general play, and is positioned within the field of play. The field umpire is the only type of umpire permitted to award free kicks or initiate stoppages in play, and he executes ball-ups to restart play.
b) 2 Boundary/Sideline Umpires - the boundary umpire is responsible for determining 1) when the ball has left the field of play and whether it has done so on the bounce or on the full & 2) when an offside offence has occurred.
c) 2 Goal Umpires (1 per goal) - Goal umpires are responsible for all adjudications relating to the goal-line, to determine whether or not a ball has scored a goal, behind, or failed to cross the goal-line. After each half, the umpires check their scores, and confirm that the ground scoreboard matches the official score.
d) 1 Replay Umpire.
- A game or match consists of 2 45-minute halves with a 15-minute halftime:
- When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, the clock is not stopped and time is added on for stoppages in play (such as when the ball goes out of bounds, injuries, goals/behinds being kicked, or when the umpire is setting the angle of a free kick on goal; similar to Soccer).
- The half or match ends immediately when a field umpire hears the siren, with the exception that a player is allowed to kick for goal after the siren from a mark or free kick which was paid before the siren.
- Overtime/Shootout Rules:
a) The captain will select 3 shooters.
b) The captain will choose the order in which the three offensive players will shoot.
c) Each team will alternate shots, which must be taken from 43yd/40m out from the goal.
d) The team with the most points after all offensive players have shot is declared the winner.
e) If the score is tied after all offensive players have shot, the game will go into a sudden death shootout in reverse order (i.e. 1,2,3,3,2,1) until one team has more points than the other at the end of the round.
f) In a shootout, a goal is worth 3 points. Behinds don’t count.
- 11-a-side (3-5 Forwards, 1-5 Midfielders, 3-5 Defenders) with a 18-man active roster (6 Forwards, 6 Midfielders, 6 Backs) for each game; 12 reserves (4 Forwards, 4 Midfielders, 4 Backs) for a total of 30 players on the roster.
- There are no goalkeepers in this sport.
- Formations are described by categorizing the players according to their positioning along (not across) the pitch, with the defensive players given first; For example, 4–4–3 means four defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards.
Teams can have any formation they want, & may change formations during a game to aid their cause. - Forwards: Forwards are the players who are positioned nearest to the opposing team's goal. The primary responsibility of forwards is to score goals and to create scoring chances for other players. Forwards may also contribute defensively by harrying opposition defenders and goalkeepers whilst not in possession. Example Positions = Center Forward (CF), Second Striker (SS), Left Winger (LW), & Right Winger (RW).
- Midfielders: Midfielders are players whose position of play is midway between the attacking forwards and the defenders. Their main duties are to maintain possession of the ball, taking the ball from defenders and feeding it to the strikers, as well as dispossessing opposing players. Example Positions = Central Midfielder (CM), Left Midfielder (LM), Right Midfielder (RM), Attacking Midfielder (AM), & Defending Midfielder (DM).
- Defenders: Defenders play behind the midfielders and their primary responsibility is to provide support to the team and to prevent the opposition from scoring a goal. They remain in the half of the field that contains the goal they are defending. Center-Back (CB), Sweeper (SW), Left Fullback (LB), & Right Fullback (RB).
- All players must stay with their zones (Forwards = in front of the center line; Midfielders = anywhere; Defenders = behind the center line).
- For coed teams, there must be a minimum of 3 female players on the field (1 in each zone), & 10 players on the roster.
- Each team has a max of 3 substitutions per half unless a player is injured; If that is the case, the substitution doesn't count towards the allowed number of substitutions.
- Each team has a unlimited number of substitutions allowed at the halftime break.
- A team is allowed 45 seconds to replace an ejected or injured player.
- To substitute a player, a team needs to meet the following requirements: 1) during a normal stoppage of play, 2) the referee must know that the team wishes to substitute a player, 3) the player leaving the game has exited the field, 4) the player coming into the game must wait for the referee's signal, 5) the player coming into the game must enter the game at the center line.
- A player can dribble the ball along the ground (i.e. maneuvering of a ball by a single player while moving in a given with the legs) similar to soccer for an unlimited amount of time.
- A player running with the ball must either bounce (dribble like basketball) or solo (dropping the ball onto your boot and kicking it back into your hand) at least once every 16yds/15m; The players are allowed to bounce or solo the ball as many times as they please.
- Passing/Kicking the ball in any direction:
(a) A player may also kick the ball by either 1) out of their hands or 2) along the ground.
(b) A player may also handpass the ball (i.e. holds the ball stationary with one hand and slaps the ball with the palm of the other hand; To handpass correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body.
(c) A player may also handball the ball (i.e. holds the ball stationary with one hand and punches the ball with the clenched fist of the other hand similar to a volleyball strike; To handball correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body).
(d) A player may also head and or chest the ball at any time. - A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent.
- A player cannot throw the ball or pick up a ball with their knees.
- A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
- A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball.
- If the ball is dropped by a team-mate or opponent, it is play on.
- Offside Rules:
(a) No more than 7 players either the front of or behind the center line per team team (Example = 4 F/D + 3 M for teams using a 4-3-4 formation).
(b) No more than 1 player from each team (2 total players) in either the Goal or Penalty Areas at any time.
(c) No more than 2 players from each team (4 total players) can be in the combined Goal/Penalty Areas at any time.
- Punt Kick: The most used kick where the ball is dropped vertically and kicked before it hits the ground. It is regarded as more accurate, and easier for a teammate to mark. It can also be used for scoring goals and behinds if kicking straight on.
- Hook Kick: Predominately used to score goals and behinds, it is also used to pass to teammates over considerable distances for marks.
- Push Kick: Allows you to send a highly accurate, short pass to a teammate.
- Instep Kick: Relies on the upper surface of your foot, also called “the laces.” Mainly used for shooting, the instep kick entails running straight to the ball, placing your support foot beside the ball and swinging your kicking leg swiftly forward. Contact the ball with your laces, keeping your ankles locked. When used by beginners, the instep kick can be inaccurate, so the push pass is often a better choice.
- Inner Side of Instep Kick: For long-distance passes or shots. Offering slightly more foot contact area and control than the regular laces kick. Run up to the ball at a 45-degree angle, place your support foot beside and behind the ball, contact the ball with the inner side of your instep, and kick the ball with an appropriate force for the ball to reach your target. Lock your ankle as firmly as possible.
- Outside Kick: Uses the outside of your foot to surprise and deceive the opposition. This kick is more likely to be used and mastered at the elite level. While typically used as a short shovel pass to nearby teammate, once you master it you can also employ the outside kick for shooting, corner kicks or distance kicking. Take a long approach stride and contact the ball with the outside of your foot, keeping your ankle locked.
- A mark is allowed when the ball is caught from a kick which has traveled a minimum distance of 15m (16yds), and the ball has traveled 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 he took the mark.
- Upon taking a mark, the referee will blow the whistle to signify the mark and a player is entitled to an unimpeded kick of the ball to either:
(a) advance his team towards their goalposts without taking the free kick (i.e. "play on"), or
(b) advance his team towards their goalposts with the free kick, or
(c) score a goal/behind.
(d) The nearest opposition player stands on the spot where the player marked the ball, which is also known as the mark, and becomes the man on the mark while the player who caught the ball must retreat at least 6 steps; If the player hasn't attempted a kick after 10 seconds (or 30 if inside the penalty or goal area) have passed, normal play will resume. - The criterion for a mark is that it be caught cleanly, i.e. the player have complete control of the ball, for any length of time. As such, if the ball is caught in one grab, and then punched out from between the player's hands, a mark is paid, even if he has held it for only an instant. Similarly, if a ball is controlled, and then dislodged by another player or the ground, the mark will still be paid.
- If two players mark the ball simultaneously, the referee will award the mark to the man in front (i.e. the player who has the front position in the marking contest); if he cannot determine which player is in front, then the referee will award possession of the ball to the team that is next to receive the ball according to the held ball rules.
- Spoiling the mark: Spoiling is the technique typically employed by opposition defenders to legally stop a player from catching the ball. Spoiling is performed by hand or fist (as a punching action) either before or shortly after the player has caught the ball in their hands.
- The rules are quite strict on defensive spoiling methods. Players are not allowed to 1) push other players out of marking contests, 2) make forceful front on contact with an opponent in a marking contest if they are not simultaneously attempting to mark or spoil the ball, or 3) make high contact is allowed unless such contact is incidental to attempting to mark or spoil the ball and/or if the contact is made on a neutral-vertical plane.
- Shoulder-to-shoulder contact with the ball carrier (or any player within 5m of the ball if no one has possession), blocking any player who doesn’t have the ball (i.e. shepherding/bumping; within 5m only), sliding tackles (only while the ball is on the ground), Spoiling the mark (by the hand or fist as a punching action either before or shortly after the player has caught the ball in their hands), and slapping the ball out of an opponent's hand are permitted.
- Tackling an opponent, blocking a shot with the foot, pulling an opponent's jersey, charging an opponent from the front or back, pushing an opponent, holding an opponent, sliding tackles when the ball is not on the ground, kicking and/or striking an opponent, tripping an opponent, spitting at an opponent, jumping at an opponent when the ball is not in the air, using both hands to tackle, wrestling the ball from an opponent's hands, making forceful front-on contact with an opponent in a marking contest (only if they are not simultaneously attempting to mark or spoil the ball), high contact (unless such contact is incidental to attempting to mark or spoil the ball), deliberately taking/hacking/chopping the arms while they are attempting to mark a ball are all fouls.
- For coed games, the following rules apply:
(a) There is no contesting for possession with the exception of removing a player's tag, which substitutes for a tackle and gives the player 3 seconds prior opportunity to dispose of the ball before the Holding the ball rule is applied.
(b) All one percenters, such as sheparding, blocking, spoiling or smothering are strictly penalized with a free kick.
(c) Marking contests are strictly enforced to avoid contact via a drop-zone rule.
(d) When any contact is made by an opposition player, a free kick is awarded to the opposition player that is infringed.
(e) For deliberate contact, an immediate send-off rule applies and red and yellow cards are shown as in soccer.
- A yellow card means a warning/caution for the offending player, who will be given a black card for a 2nd offense, & a red card for a 3rd offense:
(a) In addition to this, a penalty is awarded regardless of where the incident takes place. - A player who receives a black card is to be given a 15-minute sin bin, but an immediate replacement is allowed:
(a) In addition to this, a penalty is awarded regardless of where the incident takes place.
(b) If a team receives three black cards they won't be able to replace the next player who commits an offence worthy of a black card. - A player who receives a red card is to be sent off for the rest of the game and no replacement is allowed until the next period:
(a) In addition to this, a penalty is awarded regardless of where the incident takes place.
- Free kicks may be given against players either with or without the ball:
(a) A free kick is taken between 0-20m from the spot where the infringement occurred.
(b) The player taking the kick can score on the kick directly. - Following a free kick or mark, a 10m penalty/free kick is given against a player standing on the mark who:
(a) Refuses to stand on the mark at the point indicated by the umpire, or
(b) Deliberately wastes time in returning the ball to the player who is to take the kick, or
(c) Holds the player who is to take the kick thereby preventing play continuing, or
(d) Runs over the mark before or as the ball is kicked. (Any player in the opposing team can give this penalty). - Kick-in after behind: If a ball is kicked back into play from the in goal area, following the scoring of a behind, and subsequently 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.
- "Play On": An umpire need not hold up play by awarding a free kick to a player who has been infringed. Where the player or a team-mate has possession and is in an advantageous position, the umpire calls 'play-on' and allows play to continue. This is referred to as 'paying the advantage'.
- Relayed Free Kicks: A player who is infringed upon, immediately following the disposal of the ball, may have a fellow team-mate take the free kick from the spot where the ball landed after being disposed of. This is at the umpires adjudication.
- All of the following fouls (“Technical”) will also result in a penalty/free kick at the spot of the foul (or at the penalty mark if inside the combined goal/penalty areas):
(a) Changing hands: Throwing the ball from your right hand to left or vice versa.
(b) Going 16yds/15m without releasing (i.e. bouncing or soloing) the ball.
(c) Not disposing of the ball correctly by using a handball or a kick.
(d) Hand passing a goal or behind outside of the goal area.
(e) Picking the ball directly off the ground if on their knees.
(f) Lying on the ball.
(g) Throwing the ball (it may be "hand-balled" by striking with the fist or “hand-passed” by striking with the palm).
(h) Performing a sliding tackle on an opponent while the ball is on the ground.
(i) Entering the center circle before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.
(j) Kicking the ball over the boundary line without it bouncing first or being touched by another player.
(k) Deliberately forcing or taking the ball over the boundary line.
(l) Kicking the ball out of bounds (Only if the ball did not bounce and was not touched).
(m) Running more than 15 meters / 16 yards without bouncing the ball or touching the ball on the ground.
(n) Offsides - When a team has ether 1) more than 7 players are allowed in each team's either half of the field, 2) more than 1 player in either the Goal or Penalty Areas at any time, or 3) more than 2 players in the combined Goal/Penalty Areas at any time.
(o) Controlling the ball with their hands for more than six seconds before releasing it from possession (only if inside the combined goal/penalty areas. - All of the following fouls (“Mildly Aggressive”) will also result in both a yellow card & a penalty/free kick 10m from the spot of the foul (or at the penalty mark if inside the combined goal/penalty areas):
(a) Failing to comply with an umpire’s instruction to use a mouth guard.
(b) Failing to return the ball quickly and on the full to a player who has been awarded a free kick.
(c) Wasting time, deliberately or inadvertently, by kicking the ball forward after one's team has conceded a free kick.
(d) Deliberately wastes time in returning the ball to the player who is to take the kick.
(e) Holding the player who is to take the kick thereby preventing play continuing, or
(f) Refusing to stand on the mark at the point indicated by the umpire.
(g) Running over the mark before or as the ball is kicked. (Any player in the opposing team can give this penalty).
(h) Arguing with, disputing the decision of an umpire (example = show dissent with the referee's decision to award a free kick to the opposing team).
(i) Running over the mark - The man standing on the mark cannot move forward, and must respond if called to recede by the umpire.
(j) Running through the mark - Other defensive players who are not standing on the mark may not run across the imaginary line between the man standing the mark and the man taking the kick, unless following his direct opponent.
(k) Entering the protected zone - Defensive players may not impede an opponent by entering or remaining within the corridor of space extending 10m (or 11yd) either side of the imaginary line between the man standing the mark and the man taking the kick, and extending backwards, unless following his direct opponent. - All of the following fouls (“Very Aggressive”) will also result in both a black card & a penalty/free kick 15m from the spot of the foul (or at the penalty mark if inside the combined goal/penalty areas):
(a) Performing a sliding tackle on an opponent while the ball is not on the ground.
(b) Blocking a shot with the foot.
(c) Pushing an opponent.
(d) Jumping at an opponent when the ball is not in the air.
(e) Grabs the opponent with the ball above the shoulder or below the knees.
(f) Using both hands to tackle.
(g) Wrestling the ball from an opponent's hands.
(h) Deliberately pulling down an opponent.
(i) Deliberately tripping an opponent with hand, arm or foot.
(j) Interferes with an opponent attempting to mark in the air by punching or bumping.
(k) Shepherds/bumps an opponent other than the ball carrier (or any player not within 5m of the ball if no one has possession).
(l) Using abusive or provocative language or gestures towards either players or umpires.
(m) Remonstrating in an aggressive manner with a match official.
(n) Deliberately taking, hacking or chopping the arms while they are attempting to mark a ball.
(o) Deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of the movement of play.
(p) Any free kick resulting from an interchange infringement or a line-up has an additional 10-metre penalty applied to it; these are the only circumstances under which a 20-metre penalty is automatically applied to a free kick without further infringement. - All of the following fouls (“Extremely Aggressive”) will also result in both a red card & a penalty/free kick 20m from the spot of the foul (or at the penalty mark if inside the combined goal/penalty areas):
(a) Refusing to leave the field of play, on the instruction of the umpire, for attention, after an injury involving bleeding.
(b) Refusing to leave the field of play when ordered off (red card) or rejoin the game after being ordered off.
(c) Tackling an opponent.
(d) Kicking and/or striking an opponent.
(e) Spitting at an opponent.
(f) Making contact with the head while attempting to bump a player.
(g) "Charging" (i.e. lines up and charges / run-up and attack an opponent for a bump).
(h) Deliberately making forceful front-on contact with an opponent in a marking contest (only if they are not simultaneously attempting to mark or spoil the ball),
(i) Deliberately making high contact (unless such contact is incidental to attempting to mark or spoil the ball).
(j) Scragging the player who has taken a mark (i.e. to tackle the player or impede him from taking the kick as quickly as he would like).
(k) Using unnecessary roughness against a player who has already taken a mark..
(l) Biting an opponent.
- When an umpire/referee awards a free kick to an opposition player
- Following an unsuccessful kick at goal.
- When an opposing player intercepts a pass.
- When the player in possession drops the ball and it is recovered by an opposition player.
- When the ball is wrestled from a player's possession
- Teams determine the choice of goal by tossing a coin.
- Ball-up:
(a) The field umpire starts play by blowing his whistle and bouncing the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square.
(b) At the start of play, no player may enter the center circle, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square until after the ball has been bounced.
(c) After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above. - The other common situations when play is restarted are:
(a) After a behind has been scored. Any player of the defending team kicks the ball from within the goal area in front of goal, but only after the goal umpire has finished waving his flags. The player must *kick* the ball out to restart play.
(b) After the ball has gone out of bounds (outside the boundary line). If the ball bounced, then the boundary umpire throws the ball into play by throwing it 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, the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot from where the ball went out. The closest player from the opposing team takes the free kick.
(c) When a pack of players prevents either team gaining clear possession. The umpire bounces the ball where play came to a halt. - The ball is deemed to be out of play in the following situations:
(a) A goal is scored. Time is not stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flags to when the ball is bounced;
(b) A behind is scored. Time is not stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flag to when the ball is kicked in;
(c) The ball goes out of bounds. Time is not stopped from when the ball goes over the boundary line until the boundary umpire throws the ball back into play;
(d) Whenever the field umpire signals to the time-keeper that time is to be stopped by raising his arm and blowing his whistle. - Out of Bounds:
(a) A ball that has gone completely over 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. A player can be over the boundary line and in possession of the ball without the ball being considered 'out of bounds' given part of the ball is still in play.
(b) If the ball goes out of bounds on the sidelines, the referee restarts play with a throw-in; if the ball goes out on full or if the referee rules that a ball was kicked or handballed out deliberately, the referee will award a free kick to opposite team at the spot where the ball went out of bounds.
(c) If the offensive team either 1) scores a behind or 2) kicks or knocks the ball out of play through the endline, play is restarted with a goal kick taken by any player. If the defensive team either kicks or knocks the ball out of play through the endline, play is restarted with a corner kick.
(d) The ball must leave the penalty area before any other player can touch the ball for all goal kicks; If the ball does not leave the Penalty Area then the kick must retaken.
(e) The corner kick is taken from the corner nearest to where the ball left the field.
- Goals are worth 3 points:
(a) The goal umpire signals a goal with two hands raised at elbow height & then confirms the signal with the other goal umpire by waving green flags above his head.
(b) Players can score goals by either 1) kicking the ball with either the foot and/or shin, or 2) handballing/handpassing the ball with the hand; however, the ball can only be handballed/handpassed for either a goal or behind inside of the goal area. - Behinds (or Points) are worth 1 point:
(a) The goal umpire signals a goal with one hand raised at elbow height and then confirms the signal with the other goal umpire by waving white flags above his head.
(b) A behind is also awarded to the attacking team if the ball touches any part of an opposition player, including his foot, before passing between the goal posts, or if the ball hits a goal post, or if any player sends the ball between the goal posts by touching it with any part of the body other than a foot outside of the goal area.
(c) Players can score behinds by touching any part of body. - Players can score goals & behinds by either:
(a) kicking the ball with either the foot and/or shin, or
(b) handpassing/handballing the ball with the hand; however, the ball can only be handpassed/handballed for either a goal or behind inside of the combined goal/penalty areas. - Players can score behinds by touching any part of body.
- Teams' scores are written in a goals-behinds-total format:
(a) Example: 2-10-16 is 2 goals and 10 behinds, which is a total of 16 points.
- AFL jersey, shorts, shoes/cleats (rubber only), soccer shin guards, and mouth guard.
- Similar to rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- Uniform # System: Defenders = 65-99 / Midfielders = 32-64 / Forwards = 00-31.