Who’s on the ground Welcome to Australian There are 22 players in a team and 18 are allowed on the ground at any one time.

The aim of the game of 10 goals and six behinds is a total allowed to hold the ball for too long TEAM KICKING It’s all about kicking GOALS. That of 66 and is written 10.6 (66). when tackled means kicking the footy through the THIS WAY  tall inner sticks (the goalposts) to Ball out of bounds. Play stops when 50m penalty. After a mark or free kick score six points for your team. the ball bounces over the boundary has been awarded, a 50-metre penalty Half-back flank Wing Half-forward flank If the footy goes between a goalpost line. The boundary umpire then will be awarded against the opposing and either of the smaller outer sticks, throws the ball over their head - back team which unduly delays the play or Back pocket Forward pocket then a BEHIND (worth one point) is into play. If the ball is kicked over the abuses an umpire. scored. boundary line on the full the opposing Ruck rover The team that finishes with the team is awarded a free kick. Running with the ball. Where a DE F E N CE biggest total of goals and behinds is Player is moving whilst in possession Centre Centre the winner. A Mark is taken if a player catches of the football, he or she must bounce Full-back half-back Centre half-forward Full-forward or takes control of the football after or the football on the ground at

To start the game it has been kicked by another player least once every 15 metres. TT ACK Ruckman The captains flip a coin and the winner a distance of at least 15 metres and A chooses which end his team will kick has not touched the ground or been The AFL season to. The teams then swap ends after touched by another player during the The AFL premiership season runs Rover each quarter. The game starts when period when the football is in the air. over 22 rounds, with an extra four a siren sounds and a field umpire rounds of finals, from March until Back pocket Forward pocket bounces the ball in the middle of the A handball involves holding the the last Saturday in September when ground. The ball is also bounced in football in one hand and disposing about 100,000 fans pack the MCG to Half-back flank Half-forward flank the centre to start each quarter and of the football by hitting it with the watch the Grand Final. Clubs play for MIDFIELD after a goal has been scored. Games clenched fist of the other hand. points – four points for a win, two for are divided into four quarters of 20 a draw and none for a loss. At the end Wing minutes, plus extra time. Tackling. A player who is tackled of the home and away season, the top illegally while in possession of the ball eight teams play off in the finals. How the game is played will be awarded a free kick. A legal How to Keep Score. When it comes is grabbing an opponent who to reading or writing the scores, the has the ball below the shoulders or goals go first, then the behinds, then above the knee. You are not allowed Interchange players (4) the total points. For example a score to push an opponent in the back or

The rules What players CAN do Kick, handball or tap the football to move it closer to goal. 8 8 4 Mark the ball, that is, take a screamer, or a specky! Kick goals! Tackle and chase. What players CAN’T do Push an opponent in the back. Trip an opponent. Tackle too high (above the shoulders) or too low (below the knees).  Run too far with the footy – that’s more than 15 metres – without bouncing it, touching it on the ground, kicking or handballing. Hold the ball for too long when TOO HIGH TOO LOW CORRECT tackled.

6 Parents’ guide to NAB afl auskick Parents’ guide to NAB afl auskick 7