What is AFL? Aussie Rules Explained | American Reacts

Blood trickling down and all sorts...YEAH - Joel Selwood.

Hi Kaitlyn, the Aussie rules ball is a bit smaller than a rugby ball and maybe a bit pointier. I think an American football would be smaller and pointier again. Yes, they do a lot of running. Most players move up and down the ground at least to some extent. The midfielders cover the most territory - up to around 20 km per game. Why not throw it? I guess because it makes it a bit harder. Otherwise, it would probably favour the team with the ball too much. This is similar to the need to bounce the ball; it gives the team without the ball the chance to tackle the player with the ball. If you could just run with the ball and throw it to team mates, it would be pretty boring and give little opportunity for change in possession. Why are you allowed to jump on an opponent's back to take a mark? Because it gives you the opportunity to take a spectacular mark (or "specky"), which is a unique and very attractive hallmark of the game. Why do you get a point for "missing"? It is essentially a tiebreaker. There would be many more draws if you just got scores for goals, like soccer. The times of the quarters? There are breaks between each of the quarters: 5 mins for quarter time (between the first and second quarters), 20 mins for half time (between the second and third quarters) and 5 mins for three quarter time (between the third and fourth quarters). The clock starts at 20 mins at the start of the quarter and is paused for interruptions in play (such as after a goal is scored, when the ball goes over the boundary line or if the umpire blows the whistle and raises his hand for "time on" (if there is a big tangle of players or a player goes off for the blood rule, for example). There are no time outs called by the coaches. Most quarters will be around 30 mins from start to finish, so a whole game takes about 2.5 hours. The only time that they play extra time at the end is in the event of a tied finals game, where there needs to be a result to determine who goes on to the next week or even the result of the Grand Final. Until recently, a drawn Grand Final would require the teams to come back the next week for a rematch. That last happened in 2010 (Collingwood beat St Kilda in the rematch). I recommend you see it for yourself, but probably best to go with someone who knows the game so they can explain any questions you have. If you are in Melbourne, I would be happy to take you and Mark to a game at the MCG. Yes, the season is on right now. The season is more or less the same as the NRL. The finals are in September.

Footy refers to AFL in Victoria, not all the east coast considers rugby to be footy

Even the ads, from the 1990's were funny. "I'd like to see that"
John McEnroe - "The players can spit the dummy at the ref and get away with it? I'd like to see that".
"Go on then mate - Spank It!! A game you can yell your head off at - Yeah, I'd like to see that".

Baseball fields are approx 120 metres at their longest point. AFL ovals average 180 metres long...

Taking marks on people's backs is a skill we practice from the time we can walk as little kids.

Living in AUSTRALIA vs AMERICA | 10 Surprising Similarities and DIFFERENCES by Lifestyle Chris Vincelli

Curious to know what you think of the video above.

Hitting the post and scoring. The example shown here is the ball impacting the post and bouncing back into play which could make you wonder why that w0uld score but far more often than this the ball skids off the post and through the goals area (or the points area) but because it touched the post it is always only worth one point. If, like rugby, you scored full points if it hits the upright and goes over the bar but nothing otherwise you would be penalising an almost good kick if the ball bounced back into the -playing area while rewarding an even less accurate kick if the ball skims the post and goes through the behinds. Making it worth one point regardless if it hits the post makes the decision consistent.

Throwing the ball away or dropping it would be too easy. Making them handball it add an element of skill to it. Once you take possession of the ball you must dispose of it correctly (either a kick or a handball). Failure to do so would constitute a free kick for the opposing team.
If your kicked ball hits the goal posts, it counts as a behind. If it hits the point post (the small ones) it counts as out of bounds. If you kick the ball out of bounds on the full (without touching the ground or another player first), then a free kick is awarded to the opposing team.
They introduced a "blood rule" a few decades ago and now whenever someone starts bleeding they have to exit the field. Health reasons (HIV/aids and whatever).
Yes there is a difference between an AFL ball and a rugby ball (and an NRL ball). The AFL ball is not as pointy, which makes it easier to kick, bounce and handball. When they kick the ball, they strike it so it spins backwards, which affects the aerodynamics of the ball in motion. In fact, how it is kicked can affect how it flies through the air. You can see this when a player is near the goal posts but on the boundary line and they use a "banana kick" to make it spin around and through the goal posts.
They can run all over the field if they want, but as you can imagine they will get tired if they do that too much. Usually they stick to their section for the same reason basketballers stick to their positions: to keep on their opponents and because they usually play in the position that they are best at (if you're short you can run around more and go lower to get access to the ball when it's on the ground, then pass it to the bigger players who might be better at kicking well).
There are rules about jumping on players backs to mark (catch) the ball. You're not supposed to use your hands and you're not supposed to push them in the back.
Btw, in order to score a goal (6 points) you have to kick it with your own team's foot. If an opposing player touches it or if you handball it through or it comes off your knee, it counts as a behind. In fact it can be a tactic that the opposing team might walk it through the goal or behind in order to only let a point be scored. This gives the opposing side possession of the ball. They get a free kick from the goal square.
It usually works out to be 30 minutes per quarter. Each quarter has a break, with quarter time and three quarter time being short (maybe mins, I can't remember) and half time being much longer, maybe 30 or whatever mins.
As far as I'm aware, there's never any extra time added on after the fourth quarter. If it's a draw, it's a draw. Finals are different though, and in the past they have replayed the entire match on the following weekend (grand final between StKilda and Collingwood happened once in recent times).
The Sydney Swans were the South Melbourne Swans. At some point they wanted to expand the VFL (Victorian Football League) to become the AFL so they tried to set up a number of teams in every mainland state (Sorry Tassie). Sydney Swans, Brisbane Bears, West Coast Eagles. And then they added the Adelaide Crows. They sucked at first. Then they decided to expand the AFL some more so they added Port Adelaide Power and Freemantle Dockers. Fitzroy Lions almost folded as a club so it was decided to merge them with the Brisbane Bears. It was very sad to see Fitzroy play their last game but they looked completely pathetic. Footscray Bulldogs almost went the same way, but fortunately they were able to rebrand as the Western Bulldogs. Other teams were eventually added but I've lost track of it all since then.

The season this year started on the 7th March, we are currently upto Round 9; so 40% into the season.

The Sydney Swans were originally the South Melbourne Swans. The Brisbane Lions is a merger of the Brisbane Bears(the first start up team) with the Fitzroy Lions from Melbourne. The other clubs from Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia are all start up teams; Tasmania will have a team starting in 2027, that just leaves the Northern Territory and ACT without representation.

There are short breaks after the first and third quarters, with a longer break at half time. Teams can interchange upto a maximum of 75 interchanges per game. In most cases, a quarter can go for 30 minutes or longer; an entire game including breaks, can last upto two and a half hours. Players are not permitted to make contact with the head, or take out players legs below the knees. There is a companion video to this, which may answer some of your questions; it is titled A Beginners Guide to Australian Rules Football on the AFL channel.

Normally, Aussie Rules is played on a cricket oval; now that is another sport making headway in to America. I recommend you react to Cricket Explained for Baseball Fans, the narrator uses both cricket and baseball terminology.

An average player can run anywhere between 12 and 15 kilometres per game, with some top players even reaching 20 kilometers. Unlike the original game, where players were either in the forward, centre or defense areas; in the modern game, players can move all over the oval.

If the ball hits the goal post and bounces back into play, into the arms of a forward, who can then casually kick a goal......there is no skill in that.
It is a gift goal and undeserved.

Aussie rules was the worlds FIRST codified football competition.

It mandated that scores must be earnt cleanly.......the ball must come of an attacking players boot ( or leg below the knee ) to be a goal ( 6 points ).

If the ball is touched by any player BEFORE crossing the goal line, it is not a goal and only a behind, only 1 point.

If it hits the goal post but then crosses the goal line, then a behind and only 1 point.

If a defender kicks it, punches it or runs it over the goal line then a behind and one point is scored for the attacking team.

If the ball hits a point post and bouces back into play , then it is out of bounds and the boundary umpire throws the ball back into play......but if the ball hits the point post on the full ( on the fly without touching the ground ) then it is out of bounds on the full, and a free kick .

Goals have to be earned, behinds are much easier to score, but mostly it is goals that win games.

20 minute quarters are brocken up with rest periods.

The team captains toss a coin to decide who kicks to which end first......wind advantage can be huge.

When play is stopped, after a score, out of bounds, a skuffle ( or fight ) , then the clock is stopped .
When the umpire signals play on, then the clock is restarted.

Most quarters run about 25 + minutes.

After the 1st quarter, they take about 5 minutes break, during which the coach addresses the players about tactical matters etc.

Then the teams change ends and position themselves for the start of play.....2nd quarter .

At half time both team s leave the field for about 20 minutes.

They change ends again and take up positions to start the 3rd quarter.

At 3/4 time, they have another 5 minute break and change ends again.

By changing ends after every quarter, both teams should get equal use of the wind etc.......but this is not always equal.

The wind can blow a gale and be a 10 goal advantage then die out altogether .

Is common for one team to get the wind for 3 quarters with a wind change, and ofter a quarter or half with a BIG wind advantage, while the other team only has the wind for one quarter, but often no wind at all in that quarter.

Nature can be so unkind. lol

Anyone can run and anyone can throw a ball.....not much skill needed.

The games creators back in the 1850's added the bounce every 10 yards so fast runners did not have an unfair advantage.

The hand ball was added to make it harder......you must hand ball or kick it when tackled, otherwise the tackler gets a free kick.

The games rules are constantly being changed to help the faster running athletes, most of whom have less skill than primary school kids.....but of course, many of those skilled primary school kids never grow tall enough, strong enough or fast enough to play at the top level.

Confused about why you are confused about goals and behinds. NFL has a player who's SOLE JOB is to run onto the field, kick the ball, then run off again!!!
NFL stops FOR COMMERCIAL BREAKS! NFL basically has separate teams depending on which half of the tiny field the ball is in.
AFL is a fast, free flowing, dynamic display of incredible stamina and athleticism.

I agree with hitting the post and still getting a point. I have followed this game and my team for 50yrs and I have always wanted that rule scrapped. It makes no sense to get a score when it hits the post and bounces back in play as the games direction by the AFL is that the whole ball needs to cross the line to score yet if it hits the post and its still a score. I dont mind if it hits the post and still goes through but when it bounces back based on the strict ruling about scoring it should be play on. It would also add excitement to the game if it bounces back in and it could go anywhere and the game continues.

People ask the question ? Do players get serious injuries? Occasionally players get an injury but not often serious! Players jump high and are suspended in mid air, not necessarily into the back of an opponent who rarely is injured!

Your right with Sydney Swans the from South Melbourne Swans the can Sydney in 1983 But GWS come AFL few years ago

AFL and NFL season are the same
In from Melbourne I for AFL and NFL

That’s wrong because in NRL and AFL if blood they need off to blood bin. There no different in AFL and NRL share and the size.
Win AFL they is less injured then NFL.
This like NFL when field goal or goal after touchdown if post goal post on thought is

The NRL stole the name footy from the AFL.

AFL has a BLOOD RULE.
You have to leave the ground.
Bought about when concerns for AIDS became an issue.

I think all Aussie sports suck big time. I have watched the AFL, NRL, Cricket, and all are boring. I am so glad I live in America where we have the greatest sports leagues in the world. Starting with the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, NCAA Football, March Madness, and all the other minor league sports.

Yes all three of the codes League Union and AFL are slightly different

it's not Australia's favourite sport only in some areas. Rugby League is the no. 1 sport in NSW and QLD by a long way.

I think the reason why they punch the ball and can't just throw it is to make the game harder, making for greater skill.

The swans were south Melbourne

4 quarters

Because throwing the ball is against the rules.

When I live in New South Wales they did call rugby league footy.

It's actually cross country basketball. The only sport in the world where you get a consolation point for missing your shot at goal

Apparently, white men can't jump.

Actually AFL has a semi counterpart in Gaelic Football and there has indeed been some crossover during the past 40 years with some Gaelic footballers trying their luck (and some succeeding) at AFL. There are some significant differances in that GF has much less contact, is played on more soccer style fields and with a round ball but have similar positions and the same mode of handball.

With regards players taking a ride on opponents back when marking; its a gray area. Its generally the case that if you're manage to pull it off and complete the mark, the umpires will pay it. Make a mess of it and they'll penalise you.

The Sydney Swans are indeed a transplant. The South Melbourne Swans were struggling and the (then)VFL were looking to expand beyond Victoria so they eased the way for a relocation to Sydney. A few years later, they approved a local consortium to start a team in Qld that was called the Brisbane Bears although they actually played their games on the Gold Coast on the ground that is now home for the GC Suns. In the early 90s, the Fitzroy club in Melb was in trouble so they merged with the Bears and the merged entity became the Brisbane Lions (Fitzroys old emblem). The expansion into other states (West Coast Eagles & Adelaide Crows) led to the VFL becoming officially a national entity (AFL) in 1990

A number of AFL players have been recruited as punters in the NFL.

Totally different shaped ball between AFL and Rugby, the reason being that the rugby ball is primarily passed or thrown y hand and the AFL ball is primarily kicked.

NRL FOR EVER!

You’d probably like the video about Mason Cox, the only American to play AFL… called Don’t Believe In Never.

The handball is because almost all the football codes originally allowed hitting the ball but not throwing it (including soccer).

The mark is another thing AFL kept that other codes got rid of (it was called a fair catch in soccer).

The "point for missing" was introduced to reduce the number of tied games. Originally it only counted if the number of goals was equal.

East coast? The only two states where Rugby League is more popular are NSW and Queensland. The rest of the country is Aussie Rules dominated. The game started in Victoria in the 1850's. It is the oldest codified football code on the planet.

they run up to 18kms per game

Ya should get out and was some bush footy.

Best game in the world.
"Play tough, play brave, play like Bobby Rose."

The old divide between Rugby League and AFL in Wagga, where both codes are played. Red Footy for Day Matches & Yellow for Night Games. The footy is slightly smaller than a Rugby ball and is a different oval shape. If the footy kicked and you catch it, it is called a mark, regardless of whether you're on the standing on the ground or taking a Secky above opposition players. Then you are allowed to kick it on of handball to a teammate unimpeded. You are not allowed to throw the ball because it is incorrect disposal, and the umpire will award a Free Kick to your opponent!! There is 4 quarters with 3 breaks (1/4 time, half time, & 3/4 time). Added time can be added to every quarter. This vlog that you reviewed could do with much more info, as it isn't very in-depth. it is the BIGGEST football code in Australia and has many armature leagues around the world, including your homeland!! The United States Australian Football League has been going since the 1990's. It's bit of a religion here in Melbourne.... As for the rest of the rules, they're best explained during a live match. Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans are your local clubs, and it's your right to choose who you barrack for......

No, no, no "On the east coast it's ARL and on the other side (Barrasi line?) it's AFL"? I'm really shocked and disappointed, you have been here long enough to be fluent in AFL and even ARL. After 2 minutes of this vid' it's obvious you are way out of line, so much so it verges on being 'un-Australian'. I just cannot sit through the rest of this vid'.

This video was defo aimed at Americans. Lol! Name checks all the major American sports. Trying too hard to appeal to Americans..haha