Spring Aussie Rules Waratah Park [Wed] Rules

OBJECT OF THE GAME: Is to pass your opponents without being touched into the scoring third, and score by kicking a goal, or ‘behind’ through the goal posts to score.

GAME DURATION: Games consist of 2 by 20 minute halves with the half time break not exceeding 5 minutes. No clock stoppages will be made except under exceptional circumstances. Such circumstance will be at the sole discretion of the UR Rep.

FIELD OF PLAY: The standard size of a the field is approximately 80m (Length) x 40m (Width). The field is divided into three zones – Forward, Midfield & Defence. The player positions are as follows:

  • 2 x Forwards
  • 3 x Midfielders (one of who can be nominated as the 'Scoring Midfielder')
  • 2 x Backs

THE TEAM: There shall be seven (7) playing positions in each team, 2 forwards, 3 midfielders (one of whom can score) and 2 backs.

  • There must be a minimum of two (3) Females, and Males in the game always
  • This league requires your team to have a minimum of five (5) players, including one Male or Female to start the game.
  • Please consider our Default, Forfeit, and Substitute Policy

SUBSTITUTIONS can be made any number of times throughout the match. However, the game remains continuous and does not stop to allow substitutions. Players coming onto the field must wait until the player they are substituting with has come off the field.

STARTING PLAY

  1. The game is commenced with a ball up in the midfield zone between two centre players standing toe to toe. This occurs at the start of each half and after a goal has been scored.
  2. The centre players contesting the ball up must tap or palm the ball backwards, when the ball is on the way down. Punching and taking possession of the ball are not permitted.
  3. The remaining centre players stand a minimum of 2 metres away from the ruck contest on the defensive side of the ball up.
  4. The player who wins possession from the ruck contest has a maximum of 2 seconds to dispose of the ball.
  5. Players must start in their designated zone after a goal has been scored.
  6. A kick in between the goal posts occurs after a behind has been scored. The opposition player must be a minimum 5 metres back from the player kicking in. The ball must be kicked from within the goalposts.

POSESSION OF THE BALL

  1. The ball must be disposed of correctly by handball or kick in each zone for a goal scoring opportunity to occur.
  2. The kick in after a behind is only permitted to enter the defensive zone.
  3. The minimum distance for a mark to occur is a 5 metre kick. If it is under 5 metres, a call of ‘play on’ occurs.
  4. A player is only permitted to bounce the ball once while they are in possession of the ball. The ball must be bounced once after 15 metres.
  5. If the ball is kicked or handballed over two thirds, a free kick will be awarded to the appropriate team on their defensive third line. 

GAINING POSESSION OF THE BALL

  1. A turnover occurs in the following instances:
    • When the ball goes out of bounds
    • When the ball touches the ground due to a poor kick, handball or dropped mark. (The only time the ball can touch the ground is from a ball up contest or when a forward is shooting for goal.
  2. If a turnover occurs, the opposing team takes possession of the ball where the ball first touched the ground or went out of bounds.
  3. The nearest player to where the turnover occurs must take possession of the ball. They can dispose by hand or foot if the turnover occurred on field. For out-of-bounds, the ball must be disposed by kick only.
  4. The ball must be kicked in from out of bounds. A shot for goal is not permitted.
  5. A ball up occurs if there is any doubt as to which team caused the turnover.

DISPOSESSION OF THE BALL

  1. A player must be caught 'holding the ball' by the 'two handed touch' method. No tackling, bumping or barging is permitted.
  2. If a player is deemed to have had prior opportunity to dispose of the ball, this is considered 'holding the ball' and a free kick is awarded.
  3. If a player is considered to have had no prior opportunity to dispose of the ball the umpire calls ‘Touch’ and the player has 2 seconds to dispose of the ball. If the player is unsuccessful in disposing of the ball after this opportunity, a free kick will be awarded.

MARKING

  1. A ‘mark’ is awarded if a player controls the ball after it has been kicked a minimum 5 metres without getting touched by another player or hitting the ground.
  2. There is no type of physical contact permitted in a marking contest. The player in front has every chance to mark the ball. A free kick is awarded against any player initiating contact.
  3. An opposition player may stand on ‘the mark’. This is the place where a mark or free kick has been awarded.
  4. The Event Host will call ‘play on’ if it is deemed the player has had reasonable opportunity to dispose of the ball.

PLAYING ON & ADVANTAGE The Event Host calls ‘play on’ in the following instances:

  1. When a player who has taken a mark or possession of the ball from a turnover has run over or around ‘the mark’
  2. When the ball has been touched from a kick still yet to hit the ground

The Event Host is permitted to call ‘advantage’ if the player in possession of the ball initiates the advantage

SCORING a goal is 6 points, a behind is 1 point. Female Super Goals are 9 points.

  1. The two designated forwards and scoring midfielder are the only players able to score. These players are identified by wearing a coloured sash. A score can only occur through taking a mark, receiving a kick or hand-pass or when they are awarded a free kick.
  2. A scoring player is able to score if they are awarded a 15 metre penalty which takes them into the scoring zone.
  3. A goal or behind can still be awarded if the ball touches the ground directly from a shot at goal by a scoring player. If the ball is touched following the shot at goal, a standard turnover occurs from where the ball was touched. If the ball is touched as a kick is made at goal, a point will be awarded opposed to a turnover if the ball crosses the goal-line. 
  4. A team is not able to score directly from out of bounds or from a turnover.
  5. A team is only able to score inside the forward zone.

WINNING TEAM The winner is the team with the greater number of goals at the end of the game. A draw will be awarded if both teams have an equal amount of goals. The winning team receives 3 points, 1 point each for drawn game and no points for a loss. Your Fun Points will affect your position on the standings. If two teams are matched on competition points, the team with the higher fun points rating will be favoured up the ladder.

PHYSICAL CONTACT This is a strictly a non-contact sport. The following actions (intentional or unintentional) are not permitted:

  • Holding or grabbing an opponent
  • Any form of pushing
  • Spoiling with contact
  • Bumping
  • Barging or shepherding
  • Touching the ball while another player has possession
  • Tripping

FAIRPLAY SYSTEM Each league night you will have an Event Host onsite, but these guys are not official referees. Urban Rec is a recreational league which practices a fair-play and fun-first policy, meaning you should be making your own calls on the game. The Event Host will be there to make the calls not made by individuals, keep time, and help guide the games within the game play rules. The Urban Rec Event Host has the final say on any issue that cannot be self-resolved.

SPORTSMANSHIP All Urban Rec participants have read and agreed to the Urban Rec Code of Conduct. We also exercise a strict Disciplinary Policy. If you are seen to be rude in any way or not playing within the respect of the rules and Code of Conduct, you will be asked by the Urban Rec Staff to sub out of the game. If after returning to the game your attitude does not improve you will be asked to leave the venue, and an assessment will be made if you can play again. We do not tolerate idiots. Play fair.

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