Rules of Aussie Rules (AFL) Made Easy (Even for Non-Australians)!

Need a simple explanation of the Rules of AFL and different Positions on the field? Wondering the difference between Australian rules and AFL? This article will provide an in depth, yet simple overview of Australia’s most popular sport including a brief history of AFL, the rules of AFL, AFL player positions and more!\

A Brief History of this Very Aussie Sport
What You Need To Play AFL
How AFL is actually played
Fouls and Penalties in a Game
Players and Positions in AFL

A Brief History of this Very Aussie Sport

Australian rules football, or AFL (Australian Football League), has a long and rich history dating back to the mid-19^th century. First developed in Melbourne, Victoria in 1858 by a group of cricketers and soccer players who wanted to create a new winter sport to keep themselves fit. They borrowed elements from both soccer and rugby to create a unique game that would later become known as Australian rules football. Check out the Rules of Rugby here and remind yourself of Soccer’s rules here!

In 1877, the Victorian Football Association (VFA) was formed, which would later become the Victorian Football League (VFL) in 1897. This league was the first governing body for the sport and it was responsible for standardizing the rules and promoting the game. Over the next century AFL slowly spread around Australia and 1986 was renamed the Australian Football League.

Today the league is composed of 18 teams and the Grand Final is one of the most watched sporting events in Australia. It is also played world-wide and governed by The International Australian Football Council (IAFC).

What You Need To Play AFL

Starting with AFL is easy as there’s not much gear needed to get going. The most important piece of equipment is a pair of boots with hard soles and studs. Soccer or rugby boots are highly recommended and can be found on Amazon, like these Rugby boots with excellent grip and durability, highly recommended for their value for money (plus they have approved/ interchangable studs); Canterbury Unisex’s Phoenix Raze Soft Ground Rugby Boots

Another essential piece of equipment is an AFL ball, which is larger and heavier than American footballs. You can find a great selection of AFL balls on Amazon, but there nothing quite like the offical Sherring Balls; Sherrin Official AFL Replica Game Football

Don’t forget about protection! A mouthguard is highly recommended to protect your teeth during games and training. Here’s a highly reviewed mouthguard that provides both comfort and protection; Venum Challenger Mouthguard

Lastly, a good pair of shorts and your favorite team jersey can complete your AFL look. Support your local team and rock their gear!

How AFL is actually played

A game of Australian rules football (AFL) is played on an oval-shaped field that is approximately 150-185 meters long and 110-155 meters wide. The field is divided into three main sections: the forward line, the midfield, and the defence.

Each team consists of 18 players on the field at any one time, with four interchange players that can be substituted in and out of the game at any time.

The game begins with a ball-up at the centre of the ground, where the umpire throws the ball up between two ruckmen (tall players) from each team. The ruckmen compete for the ball by jumping and trying to tap the ball down to a teammate.

The objective of the game is to score more points than the opposing team by kicking the ball through the four goal posts at either end of the field. A goal is scored when the ball is kicked through the middle two posts and is worth six points. A behind, which is when the ball goes through the outer two posts or is touched by a defender before passing through the middle two posts, is worth one point.

The ball is moved around the field by kicking and handballing. Kicking the ball is the most common way of moving the ball, but players can also handball the ball to a teammate using one hand.

Players can be tackled, but not held, below the knees. They can also be taken out of the play with a legal “shepherd”. This is when an opposing player uses their body to block or impede the progress of an opponent who does not have possession of the ball.

Players can be awarded a free kick or 50-meters penalty for various infractions which we will discuss later.

The game is divided into four quarters, each lasting 20 minutes with a 20-minute break at half time. Time-on is added to the end of each quarter to make up for any time lost due to injuries, ball-ups, or other stoppages.

At the end of the game, the team with the most points is declared the winner. If the scores are tied, at full time a 6 minute break is given before the first 5 minutes of extra time starts.

Fouls and Penalties in a Game

AFL can be a dangerous game so it is important that the rules are clear and un-ambiguous to ensure everyone is safe. For this reason, there are several types of fouls which, if committed, can result in a free kick or penalty being awarded to the opposing team.

High contact: When a player makes contact with an opponent above the shoulders, it is considered high contact and a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Rough conduct: This includes any type of dangerous or reckless tackles, pushing, or striking an opponent. A free kick or penalty can be awarded for rough conduct, and the player may also be suspended or fined.
Holding the ball: If a player in possession of the ball is tackled and does not immediately dispose of the ball by either handballing or kicking it, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Holding the man: When a player physically holds an opponent and prevents them from moving freely, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Deliberate out of bounds: When a player deliberately kicks or handballs the ball out of bounds, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the point where the ball went out of bounds.
Throwing the ball: If a player throws the ball instead of handballing it, a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Running too far: If a player takes more than 15 meters to dispose of the ball after being awarded a free kick, a 50-meters penalty is awarded to the opposing team.
Shepherding: Shepherding is when an opposing player uses their body to block or impede the progress of an opponent who does not have possession of the ball. A free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
Dangerous tackles: Any type of dangerous tackles, such as sliding tackles, can result in a free kick or penalty being awarded to the opposing team.

This is not an exhaustive list of the rules of AFL however, it is the most important to remember when starting out in the sport.

Players and Positions in AFL

AFL is quite complicated., especially to beginners. One of the hardest concepts to grasp is the role of the different players and positions on the field. This simple list should help you with and can be referred back to as you need.

Ruckman: These players are usually tall and physically strong, and they are responsible for winning the ball in the air at the centre bounces and at the ball-ups. They must be able to jump high and tap the ball down to a teammate.
Midfielders: These players are responsible for getting the ball from the defence to the forwards. They must be able to run long distances, be good at handballing, and be able to win their own ball.
Half-backs: These players are responsible for stopping the opposition’s forward line from scoring. They must be able to read the play, be good at marking (catching the ball after a kick) and be able to clear the ball out of defence.
Full-backs: They stop the opposition’s key forwards from scoring. They are usually tall and strong, and they must be able to take contested marks (catching the ball in a crowd of players) and be able to read the play.
Wingmen: Wingmen pass the ball from midfield to the forwards. They must be able to run long distances, be good at handballing, and be able to win their own ball.
Half-forwards: Half-forwards are in the best spot to score goals and create scoring opportunities for the forwards. They take lots of contested marks and are good at kicking.
Full-forwards: These players are the main goal kickers for the team. They must be tall and strong, be able to take contested marks, and be good at kicking for goal.
Rovers: Rovers are responsible for getting the ball from the midfield to the forwards. They are usually smaller and quicker than the other midfielders, and they must be able to win their own ball and be good at handballing.
Utility players: These players can play in various positions and can be used to fill in for injured players or to replace players who are not performing well. They must be versatile and be able to play multiple positions.

These are just some of the rules of Australian Rules football (AFL) that govern the game. It is a fast-paced and physically demanding sport, with a unique set of rules and strategies. It is also known for its fluid nature, with the ball often moving quickly from one end of the field to the other, and players having to adapt to changing situations and positions on the field. The games are full of action and hopefully you’ll be able to follow along without getting lost!

Keep up to date with the latest the scores here and learn the rules to one of AFL’s predecessors, Rugby!