Official Rules

  1. Playing field
    The field shall be approximately 100m x 50m and shall be marked into 3 zones - forwards, centres and backs.
  2. Teams
    1. Teams shall consist of 7 players on the field and any number of reserves.
    2. Interchange of players may take place at any time.
    3. Teams shall consist of 2 forwards, 3 centres and 2 backs.
    4. Mixed teams must have a minimum of 2 females.
  3. Playing Time
    2 x 20 minute halves.
  4. Start of Play
    1. The game shall be started by a ball-up between two players in the centre of the ground.
    2. A player may not grab the ball at the ball-up and play on. They must knock or palm the ball (no punching is allowed) and cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
    3. After a goal, the ball is taken to the centre and restarted as in (A).
    4. If a point is scored, the opposition full back shall kick in from between the goal posts.
  5. Out of Bounds
    1. When the ball goes out of bounds by either foot or hand, the nearest opponent shall kick the ball in. The player may not kick for goal from an out of bounds kick in.
    2. If there is doubt as to which team forced the ball out of bounds, the umpire shall throw the ball up.
  6. Tackling
    1. No tackling is allowed. When a player is touched by an opponent, he/she has a maximum of 3 seconds to dispose of the ball by handpassing or kicking. If the player fails to dispose of the ball within this period, possession will be awarded to the other team.
    2. If a player has had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball when touched, it is holding the ball and a turnover will occur.
  7. Contact
    1. There is to be no contact or spoiling.
    2. Players cannot:
      a. Hold or grab an opponent with their hands.
      b. Push a player in the back.
      c. Deliberately bump another player.
      d. Barge, fend off or chop past opponents.
  8. Marking
    Any player catching a ball directly from the kick of another player, no matter how small the distance, shall be awarded a mark.
  9. Bouncing the Ball
    A player in possession may bounce the ball only once.
  10. Kicking Off the Ground
    A player is not permitted to deliberately kick the ball off the ground.
  11. Scoring
    1. Six points are awarded for a goal and one point for a behind.
    2. In mixed games, goals scored by a female are worth 9 points.
    3. Only the forward line may score for their team. These players should be identified by their position e.g. bib.
    4. No score will be allowed when kicked from an out of bounds free kick.
    5. Whilst players are encouraged to move freely around the ground, forwards must be within the forward zone to score.
    6. Goals can only be kicked from marks taken in the forward zone.

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