A beginners guide to the game of Aussie Rules ...
A simple explanation ? :-) ... part 2
The Rules
There are way too many rules to cover on this page, but I'll try to cover the basic ones here ...
In the beginning ...
At the start of the game (and of each quarter), one of the field umpires will stand in the centre square, hold the ball
high and blow the whistle. This signals the timekeepers to start the clock.
He will then bounce the ball in the centre of the ground (square area) and the two
"ruckmen" jump to try to tap it down to one of their players.
NOTES:
1. After every goal, the ball is brought back to the centre and this is repeated.
2. If the ground is too wet/mushy etc or the ball isn't bouncing high enough, the umpire will throw the ball up, instead of bouncing it.
Marking
If you are the first player to mark (catch) the ball, and you are in control of it (ie not juggling madly), then you are awarded the mark. The ball must travel more than 10 metres,though.
The mark
The point at which the player marked the ball or the offence occured is referred to as "the mark" ... an opposition player stands on this point.
Play on
You are allowed a small amount of movement after you've marked the ball/been awarded a free kick (eg if you mark
the ball and then turn around to get a runup for the kick).
But ... if you try to pass to a team-mate, run forward over the mark or sideways, you are considered to have "played on" and are free game ... ie you can be tackled and are subject to penalties again. However, a player can choose to do any of these -- it's their decision but they will then be called to play on.
In the back
If the opposition player (literally) pushes you in the back, then a free is awarded to you. It basically means that the opposition can't push you away from the ball (eg if you are standing in a pack to mark the ball and he tries to push you away from under it. Or if you are both running to get the ball, he can't push you in the back to make sure you don't get to the ball first).
Hip and shoulder
He, or his team-mate, can knock you out of the way using a "hip & shoulder" -- this really is as it sounds. They will bump you out of the way with their shoulders -- throwing you off your course.
Around the neck
If the opposition tries to tackle you higher than the shoulders (ie the neck and higher), then they will have a free kick awarded against them.
Holding on / without the ball
The opposition can't tackle you if don't have the ball. They can't hold on to your guernsey.
Running too far
If you're on the run and in control of the ball, you can only run a maximure of 15 metres (in the umpires estimation) without ...
-
bouncing the ball -- yes, the players are able to bounce an oval shaped ball whilst running and keep control of it
-
touching the ball to the ground -- generally used if the ground is wet and the ball would be harder to control if you just bounced it
Holding the ball
If you are carrying the ball and are tackled by an opposition player, you can be deemed to be "holding the ball". The catch: This can only be if you had a chance to get rid of the ball but didn't.
Example: If a team-mate passes the ball to you and you get tackled before having an opportunity to pass the ball, you can't be pinged for holding the ball. On the other hand, if you are running with the ball and an opposition player catches up with you, tackles you, then you did have prior opportunity and therefore should be pinged.
50 metres
The other thing that you will probably see at least once a game is the 50 metre penalty. This can be awarded for a number of reasons (eg backchatting the umpire). If this happens, the player awarded the free kick/mark advances towards their goal 50 metres.
Deliberate
If the opposition player deliberately (in the umpires' opinion) forces the ball out of bounds, then you are awarded a free kick.
Ball out of bounds
A free kick is awarded to the opposition team if a player kicks the ball over the boundary line "on the full" ie without the ball bouncing before it crosses the boundary.
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Beginners Guide