Buzz
Australian football, often referred to as 'footy' or 'Aussie rules,' is one of the most popular and exciting sports in Australia. The game is played by two teams of 18 players, each trying to score more points than the other by kicking the football through the opponent's goalposts. It's an engaging contact sport that's enjoyable once you become familiar with its basic rules.
Steps
Understanding the Basic Rules
Play on an oval-shaped field. The playing area is divided into three zones: Forward, Midfield, and Defence. Each team positions 6 players in each zone, ensuring that 18 players are on the field at all times, not including the umpires.
- Cricket fields often serve as suitable pitches for Australian football due to their similar dimensions, typically around 180 meters (591 feet) in length and 150 meters in width.
- Set up four tall goalposts (ranging from 3 to 6 meters tall) spaced approximately 6.4 meters (21 feet) apart at each end of the field to create the scoring area. The central posts should be taller than the outer posts.
Begin the game with a ball-up. Often referred to as a ruck, the match kicks off when an umpire tosses the ball into the air at the center of the field, known as the centre square. A designated player from each team leaps to gain possession of the ball and tap it to a teammate (similar to a jump ball in basketball).
- The ball is passed by tossing it, with overhand throws prohibited.
Score by kicking the ball through the goal posts. A goal is worth 6 points, and it is scored when the ball passes between the two middle posts of the opposing team's goal. The end posts are for behinds, which are worth 1 point.
- A behind occurs when the ball passes between the behind posts in any of several ways: it may hit a goal post, be deflected by another player, or travel between a long and a short goal post.
Assigning Player Positions
Choose strong and agile players for the Forwards. The Forward positions include Full-Forward, Forward Pocket, Half-Forward, and Centre Half-Forward. These roles require players who are not only powerful but also fast and flexible.
- These players are positioned near the goal to score points and often become the focal point of the opposing team’s defense, enduring frequent tackles.
- Centre Half-Forwards are responsible for scoring the most goals, so accuracy in kicking is crucial for them.
Select skilled runners for the Midfielders. Midfielders are stationed centrally on the field and must be adaptable, supporting both the Forwards and Defenders.
- Midfield positions include the Wing (who advances the ball), the Ruck (who stays close to the ball), the Ruck-Rover (who participates in the ball-up), the Rover (who pressures the opposition), and the Centre (who collaborates with all players).
- Rucks should be tall players to gain an advantage in contests.
Select agile players for the Defenders. Positioned nearest to the goal posts, Defenders are responsible for preventing the opposing team from scoring goals or behinds.
- The positions include Full-Backs (who defend their designated zone), Back Pockets (who prevent the opposition from gaining possession), Half-Backs (primarily defensive but capable of taking possession when possible), and Centre Half-Back (who must outmuscle the opposing Centre Half-Forward).
Choose level-headed individuals as umpires. In Australian Football, there are 7 umpires, each responsible for ensuring the smooth flow of the game. Their decisions are final, much like those of referees.
- Three umpires handle timekeeping and enforce rules, while two are in charge of tracking the ball when it goes out of bounds. The final two umpires confirm whether a goal has been scored.
Playing as a Forward
Mark the ball. A mark occurs when a player catches the ball after it has been kicked over 15 meters (49.2 feet) in the air by another player. Once the mark is made, play temporarily halts as the player prepares to kick the ball from the spot they caught it.
- The player cannot be tackled during this preparation phase. The game resumes once the ball is kicked.
Execute tackles. Australian football is a physically demanding sport with a heavy emphasis on contact. Players may tackle opponents from the shoulders down, but tackles from behind are not allowed.
Shepherd opposing players. Forwards can use shepherding to help their teammates gain possession of the ball by blocking the opposition. This can be done by pushing an opponent in the chest or side, or by positioning yourself between them and the ball. It’s a useful tactic to throw off an opponent before they can get to the ball, giving one of your teammates the chance to grab it instead.
- Shepherding is only allowed when the ball is within five meters of you.
Overwhelm the Defenders' zone. Offensive players, or Forwards, aim to dominate the opposition’s ‘danger zone,’ the area closest to the goal posts. By crowding this zone, the Defenders will struggle to keep track of the players, giving Forwards a better opportunity to score a goal.
Defensive Play
Prevent the opposing team from scoring goals. The primary role of the Defenders is to stop the other team from scoring. The ‘danger zone’ refers to the area closest to the goalposts, which the Defenders are charged with protecting by tackling any Forwards that venture into it.
Play person-to-person defense. In person-to-person defense, you focus on marking a single player, much like in basketball. If that player has the ball, your job is to prevent them from advancing it toward your goalposts or from passing it to another player on their team.
Utilize zone defense. In zone defense, players focus on guarding a specific area rather than an individual opponent. This approach is similar to soccer, where players typically don’t mark opponents one-on-one. Australian football is distinctive in that it combines both zone and person-to-person defense strategies.
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Set aside a few hours on a day with favorable weather conditions to play. Australian football is a long game, usually divided into four quarters of 20 minutes each, making the total game time 80 minutes, excluding halftime.
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Though Australian football doesn’t require helmets, you may want to wear protective gear like mouth guards or pads for your knees and elbows if you feel it’s necessary.
