Footy 101
Courtesy
of
www.dallasfooty.com
What
is Australian Rules Football?
Australian Rules
football, or 'footy' as it is colloquially known, is a physical contact
sport unlike any sport played in America, but which combines the best
elements of Ice Hockey, basketball and football to make for a fast paced,
exciting and highly skilled game.
THE BASICS
The Field
The Melbourne Cricket Ground
Aussie Rules is
generally played on an oval field between 135 and 185 meters in length and
110 and 155 meters in width, although the sizes of grounds do vary. The MCG
is considered to be the perfect ground. The boundary is marked with a white
line drawn a few meters from the fence and the roaring crowd. At each end of
the ground there are four posts consisting of two shorter outer posts and
two taller inner posts. The inner posts are called the goal posts, the outer
posts are the behind posts.
The Ball
The Famous Sherrin Footy
The ball is an oval
bladder covered with smooth leather, tanned for day use or colored visible
yellow for night. It is slightly larger and rounder than the American or
Canadian ball, as it was not designed to be thrown. The T.W. Sherrin
Company, of Collingwood manufactured the famous Sherrin football
until the past few years.
PLAYERS & POSITIONS
A team consists of 18
players with four interchange players (substitutes) allowed on the bench.
Free substitutions are allowed at any time during the match, through a
"gate" in front of either bench. Players are deployed in five lines of three
across the oval, with the remaining three players assigned to follow the
ball as it moves around the ground. Each player lines up on his opposite
(for example, Fullback on Full forward). The players in each line are
usually designated as being in either the left, center or right position in
each line, relative to the direction of attack.
The three players
assigned to follow the ball as it moves around the ground are known as
"followers" Their positions are referred to as:
Ruckman:
The Ruckman contests the 'ball-up' (Usually very tall and athletic).
Ruck-Rover:
The Ruck-rover attempts to receive the ball from the Ruckman and deliver the
ball into attack (A good combination of speed and height).
Rover:
One of the hardest working players on the ground, the rover traditionally
scouts the packs and sets up play by clearing the ball into attack. (Usually
small, very fast and never tires)
Although the players
have designated positions, they are free to move anywhere on the ground, (no
offside rule) when play is in progress. There is no "goalie" in Aussie
Rules.
Click here to view the player positions
& field dimensions.
SCORING
A ball kicked between
the two larger goal posts without being touched is a goal and scores 6
points. The ball is then returned to the center circle for a "ball-up."
If the ball passes
between the goal posts by any other means or through the behind posts then
it is a behind, and it scores 1 point. If the ball hits the goal post, a
behind is scored. If the ball is forced, or carried, but not kicked over the
scoring line anywhere between the goal posts, a behind is scored. Following
a behind, the ball is kicked back into play from within the goal-square. The
opposing fullback usually delivers the kick.
The score is given in
three numbers. For example: 8.9 (57). The first number is the number of
goals scored, worth 6 points each. The next number is the number of behinds
at 1 point each and the final is the sum or the total score.
STARTING THE GAME
The game commences
with each player standing in their designated position. The main umpire
(referee) bounces the ball in the center of the ground. This can be compared
to a tip-off in basketball, and the opposing ruck men leap to gain
possession of the ball. The game then progresses in a wild free-for-all
until a goal is scored and the ball returns to the center for another
bounce.
POSSESSION AND DISPOSAL
OF THE BALL
Kicking
The Common Drop
Punt
Kicking can pass the
ball quickly and effectively. This is different from American Football in
that a kicking tee is never used and a kick is often taken while the player
is running at or near full speed.
Handball
A Handball on the go!
The ball may not be
thrown, but is passed by holding it stationary in one hand, while punching
it with the free hand.
Tackling
 
Aussie Rules is a
physical game, and players can be either 'bumped," from the ball using the
hip and shoulder (left) or tackled by grabbing any where above the knee or
below the neck (right).
Marking
The 'Screamer' or 'Speckie'
Click here to see a video of a player
making a mark.
A "mark" is another
name for a catch, and can be taken over the head or against the chest. The
ball cannot touch the ground, and must travel at least ten meters in the
air. A mark entitles a player to an uncontested disposal of the ball. Marks
are one of the spectacular elements of the game, as players' leap up on
opponents backs to take 'screamers'.
RULES
Yes,
there are some rules too! Some of the main rules are:
-
You cannot push a player in the back while he has the ball.
-
You cannot run more than 15 meters with the ball without bouncing it or
touching it to the ground.
-
You must make a reasonable attempt to dispose of the ball.
-
You cannot tackle a player not in possession of the ball.
-
Finally, rough play outside of the laws of the game is severely penalized.
This has been a brief
description of the game. As with all sports, the best way to understand it
is to either watch it, or even better by, getting involved!
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
Footy on TV
Football coverage in
the United States changes from year to year. In the past few years, Fox
Sports has provided highlights shows, the Match of the Week, and live
coverage of the Grand Final, on their Fox Sports World channel on digital
cable or satellite. Australian
Football Association of North America (see below) does a great
job organizing the coverage each year. You can check out at their web site
for up to date information.
Footy on the
Internet
Australian Football League: The
official site of the 'Headquarters' of footy, the Australian Football
League. It is a great site with plenty of pictures and news about the game,
scores, the clubs and a video section with highlights of every game from
every week!
United States Australian Football League:
The home of the United States Australian Football League or USAFL. Formed in
1996, this organization has brought together and manages the ever-increasing
North American Aussie Rules competition. These guys have a great vision for
the game in the US and are worth checking out as they maintain a list of
(and links to) all the teams in the USA and Canada.
Australian Football Association of North America:
The home of the Australian Football Association of North America and closely
affiliated to the USAFL. The keepers of the Footy FAQ (frequently asked
questions) as well as up to date information on TV broadcasting of footy
coverage are located here. AFANA has recently started marketing footies,
clothing, (including jumpers) books and videos of Australian Rules Football
to members and non-members alike. If you become a member however, you can
get discounts on the offered merchandise, and support the efforts of AFANA.
These guys are largely responsible for there being any TV coverage at
all in the US, so give them a visit. Check Fox Sports World for program
availability listings in your area!
The Age: The Age is one of
the daily Newspapers in Melbourne (Australia) and a fantastic site with
current news, great photos and a section just for the promotion of overseas
football clubs.... Worth a look if you want to see just how far and wide
Aussie Rules is being played. Click on the "Footy" banner.
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