New Austus Football Positions:
The Backs (Blue):
- Back Pockets (BP) (2): The back pocket refers to a position on the field deep in defense. Back pocket players need to have good spoiling skills and usually, quality back-pockets are noted for their hardness. Back pockets generally play on the smaller, faster forward pockets and let the fullback play on the stronger full forward. Some back-pockets main role is to clear a loose ball from defense or play on a forward of similar size and speed. Others are 'mid-sized' defenders, with enough height and strength to contest or spoil marks and enough mobility to fulfill the first role.
- Center Halfback (HB): The role of center half-back has remained largely unmodified throughout the years. The center half-back dominates play to a significant extent, and hence is considered a key position in defense. Ideally, the center half-back should be a durable player, quite tall and well-built.Along with their half-back flankers, center half-backs are the first line of defense, but also key players in winning the ball, and creating and assisting in attack. Center half-backs must have a great understanding of team structures, especially the strategies for kick-ins. They need to be able to compete and take contested marks, and also run off their opponent to win uncontested possessions and force their opponents to chase.
- Full Back (FB): The fullback position has traditionally been a purely defensive role, with the aim of preventing the full-forward from marking the ball and scoring. However, in recent times, where the ability to move the ball out of defense and down the field quickly has become a more important tactic, the fullback often starts a chain of passes up the ground. The defensive aspect of the position remains important, with the ability to accelerate and change direction quickly. Spoiling the ball is also of utmost importance. The fullback often kicks the ball back into play after a point has been scored, although some teams prefer a midfielder or the small back pockets for this role, freeing the (typically taller) fullback player to attempt to mark the kick in. All and all they have the skills to play any position on the field.
- The Wings (W) (2): The two wingmen control the open spaces in the middle of the ground.They can vary in size, depending on team balance or opposition match-ups, but in general they need to be highly skilled, especially in kicking. Wingmen also require considerable pace and stamina, as they run up and down the ground linking play between defense and attack.
- Center (C): The center player usually consists of a hard-running midfielder capable of feeding outside running teammates. the center is also the player who will contest ball-ups.
- Center Half-Forward (HF): The center half-forward is a position on the half-forward line of a football field. The directly opposing player is a Center-Half-Back. The center half-forward's role is usually the most demanding of any player on field, with a tall frame, strength and most importantly, athleticism, required. Usually the best back-man will be used to cover a quality CHF, unless the opposing Full-Forward is so good they take priority. Thus an attacking team with a pair of good CHF and FF will seriously stretch a defense. A primary skill needed is good marking ability, and long-range goal kicking. CHFs frequently line up shots on goal from circa 50m out, often as wide as the boundary. Kicking at goal on-the-run while running into the 30 is a significant skill, as well as being able to pick out markers closer to goals in the square.
- Forward Pockets (FP) (2): The forward pocket is designed as either a role for a second full forward (also known as a third key forward) or for players who are smaller but faster and more agile and capable of kicking brilliantly on the run (this is the more traditional forward pocket). Many forward pockets, like rovers, are quick thinking and opportunistic "crumbing" players. This means that they need to be short enough to pick up the ball quickly after it hits the ground from a contest, think and move quickly to evade potential tackles, and kick or set up a goal. Like some back pockets, some forward pockets are like medium-sized full forwards - tall and strong enough to contest marks, and mobile enough to crumb the ball. Crumbing forward pockets do not exclusively crumb the ball. Sometimes, they lead for the ball like full forwards, so they have to be competent at marking the ball. Some forward pockets can even jump so high that they can contest marks, despite their lack of height.
- Full Forward (FF): Full Forwards are good at one-on-one contests with the opposition and are the main target in the forward line when attacking. This means they can produce mass amounts of goals in a season or match. Contests in the end zone require the strength and weight to be able to jostle or wrestle opponents to front position and keep fullbacks at bay and not as much running is required as midfielders. As a result, full-forwards are typically both tall and powerfully built. As well as contesting marks with their strength, Full Forwards will try to run into space to shake off their defender and take an uncontested mark (this is known as 'leading', 'leading for the ball' or 'leading into space'). This means that the Full Forward needs to be fast, but only in short bursts.