Basic Rules Explained
In Australian Rules each team consists
of eighteen players with four substitutes. The subsitutes can come
on and off at any time throughout the match. There are three
central or field umpires, who control of the
game.
Each game consists of 4 quarters of 20
minutes each. Game length used to be 4 quarters of 25 minutes, but
was changed in 1994 to 20 minutes, with the allowance for
additional time-on when the ball goes
out-of-bounds.
The playing area is oval shaped. With
dimensions between 135 and 185 metres in length and 110 and 155
metres in width.
The object of the game is to outscore
the opposition. In the league the winning team is awarded four
points the losers zero and two points each for a
draw.
A goal is scored when a player kicks the
ball between the two tallest upright posts. Six points is given for
a goal. If the ball passes either side of the tall posts, it is
called a behind and the team scores one point.
The game commences with the umpire
bouncing the ball in the centre of the pitch. The players then try
to move the ball towards their goals by either handpassing, which
is holding the ball in one hand and punching it with the other
hand, or kicking it.
If a player kicks the ball and another
player, either his teammate or the opposition catches it (called a
mark) then that player can stop play without fear of being tackled
by the opposition.
When a player has the ball he is able to
run with the ball but must bounce the ball on the ground a least
once every ten metres. When a team has the ball within reach of
goal, usually 50 metres and closer, they then try to kick a
goal.
When a foul is committed a free kick is
awarded to the opposition team. They are then given the ball to
start the game from wherever the foul was
committed.
Here is a list of reasons for a
free-kicks to be awarded.
1. Pushing an opponent in the
back.
2. Tackling an opponent around the neck.
3. Throwing the ball.
4. Being tackled fairly by your opponent and then dropping the
ball.
5. Being tackled by your opponent when you don't have the
ball.
6. Kicking the ball out of bounds on the full.
7. Running with the ball for more than 10 metres without bouncing
it on the ground.
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