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2. The Rules of Australian Football"Huh? There are rules!?"Casual viewers of Aussie football often get an impression of brutal anarchy from watching it, and some Aussies don't mind perpetuating that (Foster's Lager's TV definition of touch football: a series of "king hits" ending in the Eagles' Dean Kemp face down and unconscious). But there is a rule book. I have a copy. Honest. The Laws of The Game have been evolving since 1858, and the end result is an athletic challenge like no other. Measurements Playing Field and EquipmentThe
Field
|
| Full Forwards: | Left Forward Pocket |
Full Forward |
Right Forward Pocket |
| Half Forwards: | Left Half Forward Flank |
Center Half Forward |
Right Half Forward Flank |
| Center Line: | Left Wing |
Center |
Right Wing |
| Half Backs: | Left Half Back Flank |
Center Half Back |
Right Half Back Flank |
| Full Backs: | Left Back Pocket |
Full Back |
Right Back Pocket |
The three assigned to the ball are referred to as "followers." Their positions are referred to as Ruckman, Rover and Ruck-Rover.
Although the players have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground when play is in progress; there is no "goalie" in Aussie Rules. They also move farther and faster as the years go by; during a match in 1998, Channel 7 put a high-tech tracking device on Kangaroos rover Jason McCartney to follow him through a game, and found he ran over 26,000 meters - more than a half-marathon.
All players should contest the ball when its within their vicinity (unless playing to alternative coaching instructions). Other general purposes of player positions according to line are:
| Forwards: | Attack the goal |
| Trap the ball in the area | |
| Half Forwards: | Attack the goal |
| Set up scoring shots | |
| Trap the ball further forward - then hold | |
| Trap the ball in the area | |
| Center Line: | Attack the goal |
| Set up scoring shots | |
| Recover the ball from the backline | |
| Trap the ball further forward - then hold | |
| Trap the ball in the area | |
| Half Backs: | Hold the ball in the area |
| Attack - clear ball forwards | |
| Recover ball from backline | |
| Backs: | Hold the ball in the area |
| Attack - clear ball forwards |
Each team wears jerseys (uniform shirts with "V" necks which used to lace up, and collars) in wool-blend fabric, shorts and knee socks of identical club colors and design. The jersey may either be sleeveless or long-sleeved, according to player preference. Each jersey bears a different oversized number on the back, to be visible from the stands; numbers have no relationship to position or function as they do in NFL football.
Teams wear white shorts when playing away from their home ground for easier identification. Many of the clubs have introduced separate away jersey, and the others are being encouraged to follow suit. The AFL is encouraging clubs to come up with alternate designs to avoid "color clashes" when two teams with similar jerseys (Richmond and Essendon, Collingwood and North Melbourne) play each other. New designs will also increase sales of jerseys to fans. The boots (football shoes) are usually low-cut turf shoes with studs or cleats, in designs and brands that would be familiar to players of other forms of football.
No body armor is worn. Mouth guards, soft protective headgear, thigh pads, and shin guards are permitted. Other protection or medical appliances require prior approval; generally, you can't play in a cast or heavy knee braces as you can in the NFL, unless protective padding is added to reduce injury risks. Jewelry is prohibited as a health hazard; even plain wedding bands can inflict damage if they punch another player instead of the ball.
There are three field umpires, who have full control of the game. Major responsibilities of the field umpires are to start play, award marks and free kicks, and generally enforce the rules of the game. In carrying out their responsibilities, the field umpires each control roughly one third of the ground. The umpire in the third where the ball is currently being disputed is the umpire in charge at any one time, however either of the other field umpires may bring attention to infringements of the rules that occur 'behind the play'.
The two boundary umpires judge when the ball is out of the playing area, and also return the ball to the center of the ground after a goal has been scored. The boundary umpires patrol one side of the ground each. They take positions at diagonally opposite corners of the center square when the ball is bounced in the center square at the start of each quarter or after a goal is scored. At the center bounces, the boundary umpires are responsible for detecting players who enter the center square illegally.
The two goal umpires (in the white coats and hats) judge, signal, and record all scores in a match. Two flags are waved to indicate a goal, and one flag is used to indicate a behind. The flags are waved to indicate the score to the other goal umpire; the opposite goal umpire is expected to echo the signal to verify its receipt. The goal umpire also indicates to the field umpire what the score is by indicating with one finger for a behind and two fingers (one out-stretched on each hand) for a goal. Before the goal umpire can indicate the score, the field umpire signals to him that no infringements have occurred ("all clear") so that a score may be added. This is why the goal umpire looks around sometimes before signaling a score. At other times, the "all clear" may be obvious, and the goal umpire will tap his own chest with his hand to take authority for himself.
Field umpires cannot alter a decision once it has been made, except by a further breach of the rules by a player or team official. Goal umpires can correct mistakes prior to restart of play. Goal umpires take precedence over boundary umpires in the vicinity of the goal area. The goal umpire indicates this to the boundary umpire by tapping his chest.
A game is divided into 4 quarters of 20 minutes playing time. Time is kept off the field by two timekeepers. The scoreboard clock counts upward continuously from 0:00, and is entirely unofficial. When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, time is added on to the playing time of the quarter as it is in soccer. This is referred to as 'time on'. The timekeepers activate a siren to signal the start and end of each quarter.
Teams determine the initial choice of goal to kick to by coin toss. The winning captain usually chooses so that the wind will be behind his attackers for the first and third quarters. The teams change ends at the end of each quarter.
The field umpire in charge of the center bounce will raise the ball over his head as an indication to the timekeepers that he is ready to start play. He then bounces the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. This is known as a "ball-up" or "bouncedown." If ground conditions won't allow the ball to bounce, the umpire simply tosses the ball into the air as if it were a "jump ball." This is also done after half-time.
At a center bounce, no player may enter the center circle or cross the center line into the opponent's side of the ground, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square, until after the ball has been bounced.
A maximum interval of 3 minutes is allowed between the first and second quarters for the teams to change ends, and five minutes are allowed between the third and fourth quarters. Half-time is a maximum of 20 minutes long, with players being allowed to leave the ground for not more than 15 minutes. If the game is being televised, the broadcaster may prevail upon the umpires to increase the length of the breaks to allow more time for advertising, as is common practice in American professional sports.
Coaches may not have direct access to the players during play. The coaches generally confine themselves to a box above the ground, the senior coach having access to the bench through a field telephone. A runner (the guys dressed in neon green or yellow warm ups) is used to relay instructions to the players.
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 kick-off 'square' 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. You may observe, however, that there is no rule preventing him from kicking the ball to himself.)
(b) After the ball has gone out of bounds (outside the boundary line). If the ball went over the boundary line on the fly as a result of a kick that was not touched, it is "out on the full", and the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot at which the ball went out. The closest player from the opposing team takes the free kick. The free kick may also be given if the umpire decides the ball has otherwise been put out of bounds deliberately. Otherwise, the boundary umpire restarts play by throwing the ball back over his head toward the center of the ground.
(c) When a pack of players prevents either team from gaining clear possession, or a player being tackled or held fails to dispose of the ball ("holding the ball;" see "Possession" below). The umpire bounces the ball at the spot where play came to a halt.
Each quarter runs for 20 minutes of playing time -- when the ball is in play. The ball is considered out of play in the following situations:
(a) A goal is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flags to when the ball is bounced.
(b) A behind is scored. Time is 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 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 timekeepers that time is to be stopped by raising his arm and blowing his whistle.
A ball kicked over the goal line between the two larger goal posts by an attacker (without being touched) is a goal and scores six points. The ball is returned to the center circle for a "ball-up." There is no possibility of an "own goal" as in soccer.
If the ball passes over the goal line between the behind posts by any other means, then it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. If the ball hits the goal post, a behind is scored. This is regardless of where the ball goes after hitting the goal post, e.g., back into the field of play, through the goals or whatever. The ball is kicked back into play from within the goal square, usually by the opposing fullback.
If the ball hits a behind post without bouncing it is deemed "out on the full" and the opposing team takes a free kick from next to the behind post. If the ball bounces and hits the behind post then the ball is thrown into play again by the boundary umpire from next to the behind post (see (b) under "Starting and Restarting Play" below). In either case, no points are scored.
The team scoring the most points wins the game. The match is considered drawn if points are equal.
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, as it is in soccer. A player can be over the boundary line and in possession of the ball without the ball being considered "out of bounds" if part of the ball is still in play.
A player may hold the ball for unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent.
A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it to the ground once every 15 meters. (The distance is usually not strictly enforced, especially if the runner is challenged.)
A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball. (Tackling is permitted, but only between shoulders and knees.)
To handball correctly, a player must hold the ball in one hand and hit it with the clenched fist of the other hand. The hand holding must not move relative to the player's body. (Correct technique is sometimes more honored in the breach than in the observance.) Overhand passing is not permitted.
A mark is allowed when the ball is caught from a kick which has traveled a minimum distance of 15 meters, and the ball has traveled in the air without being touched by another player. (The ball usually doesn't have to be held for very long, especially in a physical marking contest; and yes, anything goes as long as both contestants are going for the ball.) The player taking the mark may play on immediately, or go back and kick over the position where he took the mark.
A player may retard the movement of an opposition player towards that of the ball, however it may only be done within 5 meters of the ball. Shepherding allows the opposition player to be pushed in the chest or side, or for the player to place his body between the opposition and the ball (when the player himself is not in possession of the ball.) Comparable to screens in basketball or blocking in American Football.
The general principles of the rules are as follows:
Fouls stem from violations of these principles, and the penalty for most violations is a free kick.
Free kicks may be given against players either with or without the ball. A free kick is generally taken at the spot where the infringement occurred. (Exceptions see "Play On" and "Relayed Free Kicks" below.)
A free kick is given against the player in possession of the ball for the following infringements of the rules:
(a) Not disposing of the ball within a reasonable time when held by an opponent.
(b) Not disposing of the ball correctly by using a handball or a kick.
(c) Kicking the ball over the boundary line without it bouncing first or being touched by another player.
(d) Deliberately forcing or taking the ball over the boundary line.
(e) Running more than 15 meters without bouncing the ball or touching the ball on the ground.
A free kick is given against any player who:
(a) Grabs the opponent with the ball above the shoulder or below the knees.
(b) Pushes an opponent in the back.
(c) Trips or attempts to trip an opponent.
(d) Charges an opponent.
(e) Interferes with an opponent attempting to mark in the air by punching or bumping.
(f) Shepherds an opponent when the ball is more than 5 meters away.
(g) Enters the center square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.
Following a free kick or mark, a 50 meter penalty is given against a player standing on the mark who:
(a) Refuses to stand on the mark at the point indicated by the umpire.
(b) Deliberately wastes time in returning the ball to the player who is to take the kick.
(c) Holds the player who is to take the kick thereby preventing play continuing.
(d) Runs over the mark before or as the ball is kicked. (Any player in the opposing team can give this penalty)
If a ball is kicked back into play from the goal square, 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.
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'.
A player who is infringed upon, immediately following the disposal of the ball, may have a fellow teammate take the free kick from the spot where the ball landed after being disposed of. This is at the umpires adjudication.
In a large proportion of matches, whenever the umpires leave the field at half-time or the end of the match, the majority of the crowd will 'boo' them as they leave. Although more prevalent at games where the home team is losing (lost) and received controversial umpiring decisions against them, that doesn't explain this common action. Some propose that it comes from Australians' anti-authoritarian feelings as an ex-convict settlement that leads supporters to generally dislike umpires. While this theory sounds good from a sociological point of view the real truth of the matter, as any true footy supporter will tell you, is that all umpires are either blind, incompetent or biased, or any combination of these. Any free kick or penalty paid against a team earns the umpire abuse from one section of the crowd and applause from the rest. Definitely a 'no win' situation.
In a case where there are a large number of supporters behind a team, they will try and influence the umpires decision by subtly, or in some cases not so subtly, bringing to attention any infringements of the rules. This advice is, of course, only offered by supporters of the team whose player is being infringed upon.
"MAN" - or "holding the man" not in possession of the ball
"HIGH" - when one of your players receives a high tackle
"BACK" - when one of your players is pushed in the back
"BALL" - when one of the opposition players is caught "holding the ball"
"BULL..."- when the umpire misinterprets one of the above.
"WEED" - Adelaide Crows supporters shouted this out whenever Wayne Weideman had the footy. Weideman has since retired.
"WOOF" - Used by Carlton fans when Ang Christou gets a kick; mimics the sound made by a strong boot..
"ROOOS" - Used in Sydney in support of Paul Roos.
"BOOO" - Once widely used against former Carlton centerman Greg Williams.
There is no send-off rule in the AFL, although one is provided for in the rules for any league wishing to implement one. Players can be 'reported' by umpires for serious breaches of the rules. The umpire is required to inform the player immediately of such a report, and the player must identify himself, if only by turning his back and showing his number. After the game, a report form is filled out and filed by the umpire, and the case is taken up by the AFL Tribunal.
A reported player, the umpire and the player who was infringed are usually required to appear before the AFL Tribunal to present evidence related to the violation. The Tribunal is a five-person panel which determines the innocence or guilt of the player based upon the evidence presented, and imposes penalties for those found guilty, usually cash fines and/or suspension from a number of games. There are no set penalties for infringements - which means the Tribunal often stands accused of being inconsistent and arbitrary when handing out penalties.
The AFL Commission appoints the Tribunal panel, which comprises a chairperson and deputy chairperson — each must be a legal practitioner with at least seven years’ experience — and no more than 10 people who have a good knowledge of Australian Football. There are seven members of the Tribunal. They are: Brian Collis (chairman), Shane Maguire (deputy chairman), Elaine Canty, Emmett Dunne, Brian Le Brocq, Richard Loveridge and David Shilbury (Secretary): Dunne and Loveridge both played AFL football. All panel members either have a legal background and/or a VFL/AFL playing background. The stipulation that both the chairperson and deputy chairperson be experienced legal practitioners emphasizes the increasingly high stakes for all concerned in Tribunal decisions, which were amply illustrated by Greg Williams' career-ending nine-week suspension for shoving an umpire in 1997 and the legal disputes that followed.
Another result of the increasing consequence of Tribunal cases is the Board of Appeal introduced for the 1998 season. Clubs wishing to appeal a Tribunal decision must do so by 2:00 PM the following day, post a $10,000 appeal bond, and pay $5,000 to cover costs. The Board of Appeal will meet 'as soon as practicable' before those involved play their next matches, and will consider the case in its entirety. It can dispose of cases as it wishes, including stiffening already-imposed penalties, but is obliged to fully explain its decisions. The appeal bond is forfeit if an appeal is found to be frivolous.
The panel includes a chairman, deputy chairman, a third member with legal qualifications, and another with football connections. The chairman is attorney Peter O'Callaghan, joined by Brian Bourke, Graham Sherry, John Schultz, Gavin Francis and Tony Nolan.
For more information on the Tribunal and the Appeals Panel click here.
Reviews of video-tapes of games played during a given round are also conducted to note any reportable incidents missed by the field umpires. Players can be cited to appear before the Tribunal based on this video evidence, as if they had been reported.
Players can be reported for:
a) willfully wasting time
b) unduly interfering with a player while he is kicking for goal
c) disputing the decision of an umpire
d) unduly interfering with, assaulting, or using abusive, threatening or insulting language or behavior towards an umpire during a match or within or without the oval on the day of the match
e) assaulting another player
f) using abusive, threatening, or insulting language, or other misconduct (recent reports of misconduct include biting, eye-gouging and spitting on an opponent)
g) shaking a goalpost when a player is preparing to kick for goal or when ball is in transit.
h) throwing an opponent after he has taken a mark or ball is out of play
i) violently pushing an opponent after he has disposed of the ball
j) intentionally tripping or kicking (or attempting to) an opponent. Tripping by hand is an infringement of the rules allowing a free kick or 50 meter penalty, but is not a reportable offense. Tripping with the leg is a reportable offense
k) striking (or attempting to) a player with the hand or arm
l) charging an opponent (as in basketball)
m) engaging in unduly rough play
n) remaining on the playing area out of proper uniform after being warned by the umpire
o) wearing unacceptable equipment - boot studs, rings, jewelry, surgical appliances, guards etc.
Players and team officials are not allowed to make public comments about umpiring standards or decisions. If they do so, they risk a fine from the League.
A player who is bleeding or who has blood on himself or his uniform is required to leave the ground, at the request of the umpire, and have the problem attended to. The player will not be allowed to return until the bleeding has ceased and any blood has been completely removed. Substitution is the option most commonly used.
AFL clubs may carry up to 38 players under contract at any time. This "required list" are the only players from whom they can choose their weekly team. They are not allowed to select players not in this 38. Expansion clubs are usually given expanded lists of up to 50 players from which to choose, with the number gradually decreasing over several years.
The senior list has, at the AFL's insistence, been reduced. The list was cut from the traditional 42 to 40 in 1999 and again to 38 for 2000. Due to the reduced list, the reserves competition eliminated after the end of the 1999 season (see 'What happens to players who aren't selected?' below).
Two new AFL proposals will partially make up the shortfall. An injury list was introduced in 1999, so that clubs can keep long-term injured players who now have to be released to make room for fit players. Also, to make it easier for clubs to keep experienced players as mentors, the League now allows clubs to keep one or two "veterans" (age 30 or over, with at least ten years service with the same club) and count only half their salary against the salary cap. New clubs will receive special dispensations enabling them to select veterans who have played with them through every season of their club's existence.
A "rookie list" of four to six first-year players may be retained for developmental purposes. Rookie listed players can be elevated to the senior list at any time during the season as long as the club has an open spot. Openings can occur as the result of sudden retirement of a senior player, a senior player being placed on a long-term injury list (8 weeks or more), or simply a club has not filled all its spots at the start of the year for one reason or another. Any players kept on the veterans' list count against rookie list numbers.
Almost all clubs establish a committee of selectors composed of three to five officials, which generally include the senior coach and the manager of football operations, and often include assistant coaches, captains and senior players. The selectors are given total responsibility for the side that runs out onto the oval for each match.
Clubs are required to name a list of 22 players with 2 emergencies by 8 PM (AEST) on the Thursday night before each match. Teams playing on Sunday (or later) are allowed to name an additional 4 players, from which their final 22 must be named on Saturday. (Teams playing in hot weather, such as late summer in Brisbane, are often allowed to keep 24 players.) The team that represents the club at game time must then consist of these players. Clubs that play players that weren't listed on Thursday night risk fines except in exceptional circumstances. This process allows the media to be informed of the players for that week, and supports subsidiary markets such as betting, etc.
These players go back to play in minor leagues. Players from West Coast, Adelaide, Brisbane, Fremantle and Port Adelaide go back to play with local clubs in their respective state competitions. Until the end of the 1999 season the Victorian clubs, and the Sydney Swans, had 'reserves' or 'seconds' teams. At the end of the 1999 season the 'reserves' or 'seconds' competition was eliminated. Clubs had the option of entering a new reserve team in the Victorian Football League (VFL) or allying themselves with an existing club. Carlton, Essendon and Geelong entered new reserve team in the VFL while the remainder aligned themselves with existing VFL clubs.
The role of the coach in Aussie Rules is different compared to other sports in that the coach is only able to address his players before the game, and then during the quarter-time, half-time and three-quarter-time intervals. There are no time-outs in Australian Rules. The coach usually sits in a box above the ground with his assistants, analyzing the game in progress. When a change in tactics or players is desired, the coach sends his orders (usually by picking up the field telephone) to the club's runner.
The runner is allowed on the ground during play to communicate to players and relay the coaches' instructions. You'll notice him because he's wearing the neon warm ups.). Runners often spend so much time on the ground that they assume the duties (if not the title) of assistant coaches, helping with team decision making. When on the ground during play, the runner must attempt to stay away from the football and out of play. The coach will also address the team at the quarter-time and three-quarter-time huddles, and when the team comes off the ground at half-time.
A team can nominate 5 trainers that are allowed on to the playing field to assist with injured players, or provide help (e.g. fluids) to players. Except in the case of an injury, the trainers are only allowed on the ground when there is a pause in the play (e.g. between a goal being scored and the restart of play.)
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The
ball is an oval latex bladder covered with smooth leather, tanned for
day use or colored visible yellow for night matches, and inflated to 69
kPa (10 lbs) pressure. It closely resembles a Rugby football.