AFL Britain Rules
Rules and Information
1. Playing field
2. Teams
Standard Matches
1 hour matches -
2 x 30 minute halves with a 10 minute half time,
or
4 x 15 minute quarters with 5 minute quarter and 3 quarter intervals and a 10 minute half time
Times as outlined above are to be agreed by the clubs on the match day and the umpires are to be informed.
Finals
4 x 20 minute quarters
5 minute quarter and 3 quarter intervals and a 10 minute half time
4. Rules of Play
Starting the Game
General Rules
Out of Bounds
Free Kicks
Fouls stem from violations of the above 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.
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 centre square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.
Following a free kick or mark, a 15 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)
5. Other Information
Forfeit
1. Playing field
- The field should be approximately 100m x 70m (or a standard rugby pitch)
- Point posts are to be placed 6m at each side of the rugby goal posts.
- Centre circle 2m in diameter
- Centre square 15m on each side situated at the mid-point of the ground
- Goal squares to extend 6m in length between the goal posts and to extend 5m out from the goal
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2. Teams
- Teams shall generally consist of 16 players. This will include a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 10 on the field at any time. The remainder of the players make up the bench. On a match date the clubs will agree numbers and inform the umpire.
- If the two clubs have in excess of 16 players they can agree to increase the numbers of players permitted on the bench.
- If one team has fewer than 16, the other team can still have up to a maximum of 16 players in total.
- League teams are permitted to borrow a maximum of 2 players for any match. The other club and umpires must be informed of any borrowed players.
- Interchange of players may take place at any time.
- There is no limit on the players borrowed by social clubs.
- All clubs are required to have a minimum of one nominated umpire and two goal umpires available on all match days to officiate in other matches which are occurring. These umpires will not be used to officiate in their own clubs match.
Standard Matches
1 hour matches -
2 x 30 minute halves with a 10 minute half time,
or
4 x 15 minute quarters with 5 minute quarter and 3 quarter intervals and a 10 minute half time
Times as outlined above are to be agreed by the clubs on the match day and the umpires are to be informed.
Finals
4 x 20 minute quarters
5 minute quarter and 3 quarter intervals and a 10 minute half time
4. Rules of Play
Starting the Game
General Rules
- After a goal, the ball is taken to the centre and play restarted with a ball-up.
- Only one player from each team is permitted to go in for the ruck.
- If a point is scored, the opposition full back shall kick in from within the goal square. The full may also kick the ball to himself to restart play and leave the goal square.
- Opposition players may bump or tackle the player to obtain the ball and, when tackled, the player must dispose of the ball cleanly or risk being penalised for holding the ball.
- The ball carrier may only be tackled between the shoulders and knees.
- To be considered a mark the ball must travel 15 meters.
- A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
- 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.
- 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. A substitution can be used by the team if this occurs.
Out of Bounds
- When the ball goes out of bounds by either foot or hand, the umpire will perform a ball up 10m inside the field from where the ball exited.
- If a player kicks the ball out of bounds the opposition will take a free kick from the place the ball exited. In this situation the player may not kick for goal.
- If there is doubt as to which team forced the ball out of bounds, the umpire shall throw the ball up.
- Full tackling (above the knees and below the shoulders) applies.
- 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
- Any player catching a ball directly from the kick of another player, provide the ball has travelled at least 15 metres, shall be awarded a mark.
- The amount of bounces a player may make with the ball is unlimited.
- A player running with the ball must bounce the ball or touch it to the ground once every 15 meters.
- Six points will be awarded for a goal and one for a behind.
- No score will be allowed when kicked from an out of bounds free kick.
- Whilst players are encouraged to move freely around the ground, players must take the kick from within the scoring zones to be awarded any points.
- If a player kicks the ball from outside the scoring zones and the ball goes through the posts it will be classed as an out of bounds kick and the opposition will take a free kick from the goal square.
- If a play commits a foul for which a 15mtr penalty is awarded or undertakes dangerous play they will receive a warning from the umpire. This is considered the first offence.
- If a second foul is awarded against the same player they will be sent from the ground for the remainder of the quarter or half (depending on the timings of the match). This is considered the second offence.
- If upon return the same player commits another foul they will be sent from the ground for the remainder of the match. This is considered the third offence.
- When a player is sent from the ground for an offence they will not be replaced on the field and their team will play a man down.
- In the event of a physical argument (striking) between players or a verbal or physical attack on the umpire the decision to send players from the ground is at the discretion of the umpire. They may either award a second or third offence penalty depending on the severity.
- Depending on the severity of the offence an Umpire may report a player. In the event of a report statements from the umpire, coaches and players involved will be sent into a Tribunal nominated by the league in conjunction with AFL Britain. The Tribunal will then decide any punishments.
Free Kicks
Fouls stem from violations of the above 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.
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 centre square before the ball is bounced at the restart of play.
Following a free kick or mark, a 15 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)
5. Other Information
Forfeit
- If a club is going to forfeit the host club and opposition must be informed on the Thursday evening before the scheduled match.
- In the event of a forfeit the other club shall be awarded 4 points.
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