The Rules

Tackling

A legal tackle is where a player with the ball is tackled below the shoulders and above the knees.

When a player is in possession of the ball and is tackled correctly they must immediately dispose of the ball by kicking or hand passing. Failure to do so, when there was an opportunity to dispose of the ball, results in a free kick to the opposition. This is also called holding the ball.

Marking

When a player is attempting a mark, an opposition player can attempt to interrupt the mark by attempting to punch the ball from the marking players hands. A player cannot push a marking player or swipe at their arms to spoil a mark. A spoil that is judged as breaking these rules will result in a free kick to the marking player.

When a free kick is awarded, the player who has caused the free kick stands on the mark, whilst the player effected may kick or play on from that point.

That’s a penalty

Other illegal moves that will result in a free kick include deliberately tripping an opposition player, pushing an opposition player in the back, running over the mark that has been set for a free kick and arguing with an umpire. A player can receive a 50-meter penalty and as a result of a rule infraction by the opposition can be granted an additional 50 meters!

Scoring

At each end of the ground there are four posts. The outer two are shorter than the middle two. When a ball is kicked directly between the two taller posts that teams is awarded a goal worth 6 points. If the ball is kicked through the small posts on either side a single point is awarded. If the ball is touched by an opposing player before going through the goal posts, it is only worth a point. The ball must be kicked for a goal however if a player pushes or punches the ball through by hand it will be awarded a point. To get the ball out of play an opposition player can kick through their opponents goal, known as a rushed behind.

Scores are displayed as number of goals.number of points. Final score = Goals X 6 + Number of points
Eg. Home 12.9 (81) Away 9.12 (68)

Once a goal has been awarded, the ball is brought back to the centre. When a point is scored, the side that conceded the point will take position of the ball and kick it back into play from the goal line.

Oh so close

When attempting a goal and a player hits either of the large goal posts, a point is awarded. If the point (smaller) post is hit, this is out of bounds on the full.