AFL (Australian Football League)
Excerpts from rules and regulations pertaining to kicking3.5 Goal Posts and Behind Posts
3.5.1 Position
(a) Two posts, to be called goal posts, shall be a minimum height of 6 metres and be placed at each end of the Playing Surface at a distance of 6.4 metres apart.
(b) A further two posts, to be called behind posts, shall be a minimum height of 3 metres and be placed at a distance of 6.4 metres on each side of the goal posts so that a straight line can be drawn on the ground to join each post.
3.6 Goal Square and Kick-Off Line
A further area, to be called the Goal Square, shall be marked by drawing two lines at right angles to the Goal Line for a distance of 9 metres from each goal post and connecting the outer end of each line by a straight line. This line is called the Kick-Off Line.
12.1.1 Scoring a Goal
Subject to Law 12.2, a Goal is scored when the football is Kicked completely over the Goal Line by a Player of the attacking Team without being touched by any other Player, even if the football first touches the ground.
12.1.2 Scoring a Behind
Subject to Law 12.2, a Behind is scored when any of the following occurs:
(a) the football touches or passes over the goal post or touches padding or any other attachment to the goal post; or
(b) the football passes completely over the Behind Line or
(c) a Player of the attacking Team Kicks the football over the Goal Line but before passing over the Goal Line, the
football is touched by another Player; or
(d) if a Player from the defending Team Kicks, Handballs, knocks or otherwise takes the football over the Goal Line or Behind Line; or
(e) if a defending Player Plays On from behind the Goal Line or Behind Line and, in doing so, moves off the direct line between themself and the Player standing the mark.
12.1.3 Clarification and Examples
For the avoidance of doubt:
(a) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and then passes over the Goal or Behind Line, a Goal or Behind,
as the case may be, shall still be recorded;
(b) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and does not pass over the Goal or Behind Line, the football shall remain in play;
(c) if a football is Kicked by a Player on the attacking Team at the time when another Player is touching the football, the football shall be deemed to have been touched by that Player; and
(d) a football passes over a Goal Line or Behind Line only when the entire football has passed over the Goal Line
or Behind Line, as the case may be.
12.1.4 Football Touching the Behind Post
Where a football touches or passes over a behind post, the football shall be Out of Bounds or Out of Bounds on the Full.
12.1.5 Goal Umpire to Judge Goal or Behind
(a) The goal Umpire shall decide whether a Goal or Behind has been scored but may, before deciding, consult with
the field or boundary Umpires or the official scorer. The decision of the goal Umpire shall be final. The goal Umpire shall only signal that a Goal or Behind has been scored when the field Umpire signals “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, as the case may be.
(b) Law 12.1.5 (a) does not apply if a Controlling Body prescribes that a field Umpire may overrule the decision of a goal Umpire who has not been appointed by the Controlling Body.
12.4.1 Free Kick Awarded Before All Clear
Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player immediately after the football passes the Goal or Behind Line but before the field Umpire signals “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, the following shall apply:
(a) Where the Player is in attack the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, after which the
goal Umpire shall signal and record the score; and (i) the Free Kick shall then be taken where the infringement occurred, or the position at which the football is brought back into play, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
(b) Where the Player is defending the field Umpire shall not signal “All clear” or “Touched All Clear” and a Free Kick
shall be awarded.
12.4.2 All Clear Given but Play has not Recommenced
(a) Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player during the period when the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear”
for a Goal to be recorded and the football is bounced in the Centre Circle, the Free Kick shall be taken where the
infringement occurred, or at the Centre Circle, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
(b) Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player after the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”
for a Behind to be recorded but before the football is being brought back into play, the Free Kick shall be taken from the following positions:
(i) in the case of a Free Kick being awarded to the defending Team, where the infringement occurred, or the field Umpire shall award a Fifty-Metre Penalty from the Kick-Off Line, whichever is the greater penalty against the attacking Team; or
(ii) in the case of a Free Kick being awarded to the attacking Team, the centre of the Kick-Off Line, or where the infringement occurred, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
12.5.1 Goal or Behind Recorded in Certain Circumstances
Even though play has come to an end, a Goal or Behind shall be recorded for a Team if:
(a) the Goal or Behind is scored by a Player from a Free Kick or Mark which was awarded to the Player before play
came to an end; or
(b) the Goal or Behind was scored by a Player who disposed of the football before play came to an end; or
(c) the Goal or Behind is scored by a Player who was awarded a Free Kick under Law 12.6.
12.5.2 Football Touched in Transit
A Behind shall still be recorded under Law 12.5.1 if the football is touched in transit by another Player, provided the field Umpire is satisfied that the scoring of the Behind was not assisted by a Player from the same Team.
12.5.3 Field Umpire Sole Judge
A field Umpire shall be the sole judge in deciding whether a Free Kick or Mark should be awarded or whether the football was disposed of by a Player before play came to an end.
12.6.1 Before Kick or in the Act of Kicking
After a field Umpire has signalled that play has come to an end, any field Umpire may award a Free Kick to any Player when a Player is preparing to Kick or in the act of Kicking for Goal. In such a case, the following shall apply:
(a) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team, the Free Kick shall be awarded to the
Player where the infringement occurred or, the Player in the attacking Team who is preparing to Kick or in the
act of Kicking for Goal shall be awarded a Fifty-Metre Penalty, whichever is the greater penalty against the defending Team; or
(b) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the defending Team, the Player shall be awarded the Free
Kick where the infringement occurred or where the football is at the time of the infringement, whichever is
the greater penalty against the attacking Team.
12.6.2 After the Kick
After a field Umpire has signalled that play has come to an end, any field Umpire may award a Free Kick to any Player during the period when a Player has Kicked for Goal and the football is in transit or during the period when a Player has Kicked a Goal or Behind but before the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”. In such cases, the following shall apply:
(a) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team and a Goal is Kicked, the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” and a Goal shall be recorded; or
(b) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team and a Goal is not scored, then that Player may take the Free Kick where it was awarded (or where the football is at the time the Free Kick was awarded, whichever is the greater penalty) or, where a Behind is scored, elect to have the Behind recorded; or
(c) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the defending Team, the Player shall be awarded the Free
Kick where the infringement occurred. For the avoidance of doubt, any Goal or Behind which would have been recorded in favour of the attacking Team but for the awarding of the Free Kick to a Player on the defending Team, shall not be recorded.
13.1 Football Must be Kicked
Unless Law 12.4 applies, when a Behind has been recorded, the following shall apply:
(a) the football must be Kicked back into play by any Player of the defending Team within a reasonable time;
(b) the football must be Kicked from within the Goal Square. For the avoidance of doubt, one foot of the Player must be behind any of the lines which define the Goal Square at the time when the Player Kicks the football;
(c) Other than the Player kicking the football into play, all Players must immediately vacate the area within 5 metres of the Goal Square.
(d) the Player Kicking the football into play may, provided they have Kicked the football clear from their hands, regain possession and play on from within the Goal Square.
13.2 Direction by Umpire and Football Brought in to Play Incorrectly
(a) After giving a Player a reasonable opportunity, the field Umpire shall direct a Player to Kick the football back into play. If a Player fails to Kick the football back into play after being instructed to do so by a field Umpire, the field Umpire shall call “Play On”. The Player shall be required to dispose of the football in accordance with Laws 13.1 (b) and (d). Opposing Players, however, may enter the Goal Square and tackle the Player with the football once “Play On” is called. The provisions of these Laws relating to Free Kicks shall apply.
(b) If the field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player has not Kicked the football back into play in accordance with Law 13.1, the field Umpire shall bounce the football on the centre of the Kick-Off Line to recommence play.
13.3 Kick in to Play After Goal Umpire Signal
A Player of the defending Team may kick the football into play when the goal Umpire has signalled that a behind has been scored.
13.4 Attacking Team Delaying Recommencement of Play Where the field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player from the attacking Team
(i) is within 5 metres of the Goal Square at the time when a Player from the defending Team is Kicking the football back into play and has had sufficient time to vacate the area;
(ii) has prevented or attempted to prevent the Player from the defending Team from kicking the football back into play; or
(iii) has otherwise delayed play The field Umpire shall award a Free Kick to the defending Team and a fifty metre penalty from the Kick-Off Line.
13.5 Official within Fifty-Metre Arc
Unless attending to an injured Player, no Official is permitted within the Fifty-Metre Arc during the time when a defensive Player is preparing to Kick or in the act of Kicking the football back into play after a Behind has been scored. Where an Official contravenes this Law, the opposing Team shall be awarded a Free Kick at the back line of the Centre Square, to be taken by the Player from the opposing Team who is closest to that location.
15.1.1 Spirit and Intention of Awarding Free Kicks
It is the spirit and intention of these Laws that a Free Kick shall be awarded to:
(a) ensure that a Match is played in a fair manner;
(b) provide to a Player, who makes obtaining possession of the football their sole objective, every opportunity to
obtain possession;
(c) protect Players from sustaining injury; and
(d) a Player who executes a Correct Tackle which results in an opponent failing to dispose of the football in
accordance with these Laws.
15.1.2 Awarding Free Kicks
In addition to any other circumstances described elsewhere in these Laws, a Free Kick shall be awarded to or against a Player, as the case may be, when a field Umpire considers that any of the circumstances set out in this Law 15 occur, irrespective of whether the football is in play. Unless otherwise stated in these Laws, a Free Kick shall be taken where it is awarded or where the football is at the time, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
15.1.3 When a Free Kick May be Awarded
A Free Kick may be awarded when the football is or is not in play. For the avoidance of doubt, a Free Kick may be awarded:
(a) if an infringement occurs on the Playing Surface before the commencement of a quarter, in which case the Free Kick shall be taken at the Centre Circle or where the infringement occurred, whichever is the greater penalty
against the offending Team; and
(b) after a score has been recorded or play has come to an end, in the circumstances described in Laws 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6.
15.1.4 Effect of Free Kick
A Free Kick means that possession of the football is given to a Player of the Team who is awarded the Free Kick, after which play shall continue in accordance with Law 16.
16.3.1 Centre of Goal Line
(a) Where a Player is Kicking for a Goal after being awarded a Mark or a Free Kick, the Kick shall be taken along a
direct line from the mark to the centre of the Goal Line.
(b) Where a Player is Kicking for a Goal after being awarded a Mark or Free Kick in the Goal Square, the Kick shall be taken from directly in front of the Goals from a spot horizontally across from where the Mark or Free Kick was awarded.
16.3.2 Encroaching the Mark whilst Player is Kicking for Goal
If the Player standing the mark encroaches the mark whilst a Player is in the act of Kicking for Goal, the following shall apply:
(a) if a Goal is Kicked, the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” and a Goal shall be recorded; and
(b) if a Goal is not Kicked, the Player may elect to take another Kick, in which case the Player shall also be awarded a Fifty-Metre Penalty.
3.5.1 Position
(a) Two posts, to be called goal posts, shall be a minimum height of 6 metres and be placed at each end of the Playing Surface at a distance of 6.4 metres apart.
(b) A further two posts, to be called behind posts, shall be a minimum height of 3 metres and be placed at a distance of 6.4 metres on each side of the goal posts so that a straight line can be drawn on the ground to join each post.
3.6 Goal Square and Kick-Off Line
A further area, to be called the Goal Square, shall be marked by drawing two lines at right angles to the Goal Line for a distance of 9 metres from each goal post and connecting the outer end of each line by a straight line. This line is called the Kick-Off Line.
12.1.1 Scoring a Goal
Subject to Law 12.2, a Goal is scored when the football is Kicked completely over the Goal Line by a Player of the attacking Team without being touched by any other Player, even if the football first touches the ground.
12.1.2 Scoring a Behind
Subject to Law 12.2, a Behind is scored when any of the following occurs:
(a) the football touches or passes over the goal post or touches padding or any other attachment to the goal post; or
(b) the football passes completely over the Behind Line or
(c) a Player of the attacking Team Kicks the football over the Goal Line but before passing over the Goal Line, the
football is touched by another Player; or
(d) if a Player from the defending Team Kicks, Handballs, knocks or otherwise takes the football over the Goal Line or Behind Line; or
(e) if a defending Player Plays On from behind the Goal Line or Behind Line and, in doing so, moves off the direct line between themself and the Player standing the mark.
12.1.3 Clarification and Examples
For the avoidance of doubt:
(a) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and then passes over the Goal or Behind Line, a Goal or Behind,
as the case may be, shall still be recorded;
(b) if the football touches an Umpire or any Official and does not pass over the Goal or Behind Line, the football shall remain in play;
(c) if a football is Kicked by a Player on the attacking Team at the time when another Player is touching the football, the football shall be deemed to have been touched by that Player; and
(d) a football passes over a Goal Line or Behind Line only when the entire football has passed over the Goal Line
or Behind Line, as the case may be.
12.1.4 Football Touching the Behind Post
Where a football touches or passes over a behind post, the football shall be Out of Bounds or Out of Bounds on the Full.
12.1.5 Goal Umpire to Judge Goal or Behind
(a) The goal Umpire shall decide whether a Goal or Behind has been scored but may, before deciding, consult with
the field or boundary Umpires or the official scorer. The decision of the goal Umpire shall be final. The goal Umpire shall only signal that a Goal or Behind has been scored when the field Umpire signals “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, as the case may be.
(b) Law 12.1.5 (a) does not apply if a Controlling Body prescribes that a field Umpire may overrule the decision of a goal Umpire who has not been appointed by the Controlling Body.
12.4.1 Free Kick Awarded Before All Clear
Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player immediately after the football passes the Goal or Behind Line but before the field Umpire signals “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, the following shall apply:
(a) Where the Player is in attack the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”, after which the
goal Umpire shall signal and record the score; and (i) the Free Kick shall then be taken where the infringement occurred, or the position at which the football is brought back into play, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
(b) Where the Player is defending the field Umpire shall not signal “All clear” or “Touched All Clear” and a Free Kick
shall be awarded.
12.4.2 All Clear Given but Play has not Recommenced
(a) Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player during the period when the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear”
for a Goal to be recorded and the football is bounced in the Centre Circle, the Free Kick shall be taken where the
infringement occurred, or at the Centre Circle, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
(b) Where a Free Kick is awarded to a Player after the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”
for a Behind to be recorded but before the football is being brought back into play, the Free Kick shall be taken from the following positions:
(i) in the case of a Free Kick being awarded to the defending Team, where the infringement occurred, or the field Umpire shall award a Fifty-Metre Penalty from the Kick-Off Line, whichever is the greater penalty against the attacking Team; or
(ii) in the case of a Free Kick being awarded to the attacking Team, the centre of the Kick-Off Line, or where the infringement occurred, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
12.5.1 Goal or Behind Recorded in Certain Circumstances
Even though play has come to an end, a Goal or Behind shall be recorded for a Team if:
(a) the Goal or Behind is scored by a Player from a Free Kick or Mark which was awarded to the Player before play
came to an end; or
(b) the Goal or Behind was scored by a Player who disposed of the football before play came to an end; or
(c) the Goal or Behind is scored by a Player who was awarded a Free Kick under Law 12.6.
12.5.2 Football Touched in Transit
A Behind shall still be recorded under Law 12.5.1 if the football is touched in transit by another Player, provided the field Umpire is satisfied that the scoring of the Behind was not assisted by a Player from the same Team.
12.5.3 Field Umpire Sole Judge
A field Umpire shall be the sole judge in deciding whether a Free Kick or Mark should be awarded or whether the football was disposed of by a Player before play came to an end.
12.6.1 Before Kick or in the Act of Kicking
After a field Umpire has signalled that play has come to an end, any field Umpire may award a Free Kick to any Player when a Player is preparing to Kick or in the act of Kicking for Goal. In such a case, the following shall apply:
(a) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team, the Free Kick shall be awarded to the
Player where the infringement occurred or, the Player in the attacking Team who is preparing to Kick or in the
act of Kicking for Goal shall be awarded a Fifty-Metre Penalty, whichever is the greater penalty against the defending Team; or
(b) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the defending Team, the Player shall be awarded the Free
Kick where the infringement occurred or where the football is at the time of the infringement, whichever is
the greater penalty against the attacking Team.
12.6.2 After the Kick
After a field Umpire has signalled that play has come to an end, any field Umpire may award a Free Kick to any Player during the period when a Player has Kicked for Goal and the football is in transit or during the period when a Player has Kicked a Goal or Behind but before the field Umpire has signalled “All Clear” or “Touched All Clear”. In such cases, the following shall apply:
(a) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team and a Goal is Kicked, the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” and a Goal shall be recorded; or
(b) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the attacking Team and a Goal is not scored, then that Player may take the Free Kick where it was awarded (or where the football is at the time the Free Kick was awarded, whichever is the greater penalty) or, where a Behind is scored, elect to have the Behind recorded; or
(c) if the Player awarded the Free Kick is playing for the defending Team, the Player shall be awarded the Free
Kick where the infringement occurred. For the avoidance of doubt, any Goal or Behind which would have been recorded in favour of the attacking Team but for the awarding of the Free Kick to a Player on the defending Team, shall not be recorded.
13.1 Football Must be Kicked
Unless Law 12.4 applies, when a Behind has been recorded, the following shall apply:
(a) the football must be Kicked back into play by any Player of the defending Team within a reasonable time;
(b) the football must be Kicked from within the Goal Square. For the avoidance of doubt, one foot of the Player must be behind any of the lines which define the Goal Square at the time when the Player Kicks the football;
(c) Other than the Player kicking the football into play, all Players must immediately vacate the area within 5 metres of the Goal Square.
(d) the Player Kicking the football into play may, provided they have Kicked the football clear from their hands, regain possession and play on from within the Goal Square.
13.2 Direction by Umpire and Football Brought in to Play Incorrectly
(a) After giving a Player a reasonable opportunity, the field Umpire shall direct a Player to Kick the football back into play. If a Player fails to Kick the football back into play after being instructed to do so by a field Umpire, the field Umpire shall call “Play On”. The Player shall be required to dispose of the football in accordance with Laws 13.1 (b) and (d). Opposing Players, however, may enter the Goal Square and tackle the Player with the football once “Play On” is called. The provisions of these Laws relating to Free Kicks shall apply.
(b) If the field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player has not Kicked the football back into play in accordance with Law 13.1, the field Umpire shall bounce the football on the centre of the Kick-Off Line to recommence play.
13.3 Kick in to Play After Goal Umpire Signal
A Player of the defending Team may kick the football into play when the goal Umpire has signalled that a behind has been scored.
13.4 Attacking Team Delaying Recommencement of Play Where the field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player from the attacking Team
(i) is within 5 metres of the Goal Square at the time when a Player from the defending Team is Kicking the football back into play and has had sufficient time to vacate the area;
(ii) has prevented or attempted to prevent the Player from the defending Team from kicking the football back into play; or
(iii) has otherwise delayed play The field Umpire shall award a Free Kick to the defending Team and a fifty metre penalty from the Kick-Off Line.
13.5 Official within Fifty-Metre Arc
Unless attending to an injured Player, no Official is permitted within the Fifty-Metre Arc during the time when a defensive Player is preparing to Kick or in the act of Kicking the football back into play after a Behind has been scored. Where an Official contravenes this Law, the opposing Team shall be awarded a Free Kick at the back line of the Centre Square, to be taken by the Player from the opposing Team who is closest to that location.
15.1.1 Spirit and Intention of Awarding Free Kicks
It is the spirit and intention of these Laws that a Free Kick shall be awarded to:
(a) ensure that a Match is played in a fair manner;
(b) provide to a Player, who makes obtaining possession of the football their sole objective, every opportunity to
obtain possession;
(c) protect Players from sustaining injury; and
(d) a Player who executes a Correct Tackle which results in an opponent failing to dispose of the football in
accordance with these Laws.
15.1.2 Awarding Free Kicks
In addition to any other circumstances described elsewhere in these Laws, a Free Kick shall be awarded to or against a Player, as the case may be, when a field Umpire considers that any of the circumstances set out in this Law 15 occur, irrespective of whether the football is in play. Unless otherwise stated in these Laws, a Free Kick shall be taken where it is awarded or where the football is at the time, whichever is the greater penalty against the offending Team.
15.1.3 When a Free Kick May be Awarded
A Free Kick may be awarded when the football is or is not in play. For the avoidance of doubt, a Free Kick may be awarded:
(a) if an infringement occurs on the Playing Surface before the commencement of a quarter, in which case the Free Kick shall be taken at the Centre Circle or where the infringement occurred, whichever is the greater penalty
against the offending Team; and
(b) after a score has been recorded or play has come to an end, in the circumstances described in Laws 12.4, 12.5 and 12.6.
15.1.4 Effect of Free Kick
A Free Kick means that possession of the football is given to a Player of the Team who is awarded the Free Kick, after which play shall continue in accordance with Law 16.
16.3.1 Centre of Goal Line
(a) Where a Player is Kicking for a Goal after being awarded a Mark or a Free Kick, the Kick shall be taken along a
direct line from the mark to the centre of the Goal Line.
(b) Where a Player is Kicking for a Goal after being awarded a Mark or Free Kick in the Goal Square, the Kick shall be taken from directly in front of the Goals from a spot horizontally across from where the Mark or Free Kick was awarded.
16.3.2 Encroaching the Mark whilst Player is Kicking for Goal
If the Player standing the mark encroaches the mark whilst a Player is in the act of Kicking for Goal, the following shall apply:
(a) if a Goal is Kicked, the field Umpire shall signal “All Clear” and a Goal shall be recorded; and
(b) if a Goal is not Kicked, the Player may elect to take another Kick, in which case the Player shall also be awarded a Fifty-Metre Penalty.
