School Australian Rules Football keeps the main ideas of the adult game: kick the ball, win possession, move it towards goal and score. The exact rules can change with the players’ age, experience and level of contact, so a primary-school match may look quite different from a senior school competition.
Most school games use modified rules to make play safer and give everyone a chance to take part. Before you play, check the rules set by your teacher or competition organiser—especially on tackling, team size, field dimensions and how long a mark must travel. Here’s a guide to the rules you’re most likely to meet.
How a school Australian Rules match works
Two teams try to score by moving an oval ball towards their scoring end. Players can kick the ball or handball it, but they cannot throw it. There is no offside rule, so players can move anywhere on the field. That creates a fast, open game, with teammates spreading out to offer a passing option.
School games are often played with fewer than 18 players per side, particularly when there are limited numbers or a smaller field. Teams may use rotations so players can rest and take turns. Match length and quarter breaks also depend on the age group and local competition rules.
Scoring: goals and behinds
Each end has four posts. The two taller posts in the middle are the goalposts; the shorter posts on either side are behind posts.
- Goal: Six points when the ball is kicked through the two central posts without being touched by another player on the way through.
- Behind: One point if the ball passes between a central goalpost and a behind post, or crosses the goal line after being touched before going through the central posts.
The team with the higher score at the end wins. For example, a score of 3 goals and 5 behinds is written as 23 points: three goals are worth 18, plus five behinds.
Kicking, handballing and carrying the ball
You can move the ball by kicking or handballing. A legal handball is made by holding the ball in one hand and punching it with the clenched fist of the other. A two-handed throw or underarm toss is not a legal disposal.
Players may run with the ball, but they usually have to bounce it or touch it on the ground after travelling a set distance. In the adult game, that limit is 15 metres. Junior and school competitions may use a shorter distance or simplify the rule, so follow the version your umpire explains.
When a player is tackled or held, they are generally expected to dispose of the ball legally if they can. If they are caught holding it and fail to make a reasonable attempt, the umpire may award a free kick for holding the ball. In a school game with no tackling, the teacher may use a tag or touch to signal that the player must pass or kick.
Marks and free kicks
A mark is awarded when a player catches a kick that has travelled far enough without being touched along the way. In the standard adult rules, the kick must travel at least 15 metres. Some junior formats use a shorter distance. After taking a mark, the player can take an uncontested kick or play on by moving the ball straight away.
Umpires award free kicks when a player breaks a rule. Common examples include holding an opponent unfairly, pushing someone in the back, kicking or striking an opponent, or making a dangerous tackle. A free kick is also awarded for holding the ball in the situations covered by the local rules. The umpire will usually explain the decision and indicate which way the team should go.
Tackling and school safety rules
Contact rules are one of the biggest differences between school formats. Some older or more experienced players may compete under rules that allow tackling. Other school matches are non-contact, or allow only a controlled touch or tag. Never assume that tackling is permitted just because you have seen it in a professional match.
Where tackling is allowed, players must follow strict safety rules. Tackles must not make contact above the shoulders or below the knees, and dangerous actions such as slinging or driving an opponent into the ground are not allowed. Players should also avoid pushing an opponent in the back or making contact that risks head or neck injury.
Wear suitable footwear and any required mouthguard, and listen when the teacher or umpire calls play to stop. If someone is hurt, stop and get an adult’s attention rather than carrying on around them.
Boundaries, restarts and field positions
If the ball goes out of bounds, the restart depends on the competition’s rules and how it went out. The umpire may throw the ball back into play, or award a free kick if a player deliberately sent it out. Some school versions keep the restart simple to avoid long stoppages.
Play commonly begins with a ball-up or throw-in, depending on the situation and format. Players from each team compete to tap the ball to a teammate. There are no fixed positions required by the basic game, although a coach may give players roles such as forward, defender or ruck. Spreading out helps create space, while staying alert to the ball makes it easier to support a teammate or defend a quick attack.
| Rule | What to expect in a school game |
|---|---|
| Team size | Often fewer than 18 a side; depends on the field and player numbers. |
| Contact | May be non-contact, touch/tag, or controlled tackling, depending on age and competition. |
| Mark distance | 15 metres in the standard game; junior formats may shorten it. |
| Running with the ball | Players may need to bounce or touch the ball after a set distance; check the local version. |
| Match length | Usually adjusted for the age group and school schedule. |
Related Articles
- How Long Are the Intervals in Australian Rules Football?
- What Is the Playing Surface in Australian Rules Football?
- How Many Players Are on the Field in Australian Rules Football?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tackle in school Australian Rules Football?
Sometimes, but not in every school competition. Many junior games use touch or tag instead. Check with the teacher or umpire before play begins.
How many points is a goal worth?
A goal is worth six points. A behind is worth one point.
Can you run with the ball without bouncing it?
You can run while carrying it, but the standard rule requires you to bounce or touch the ball on the ground after travelling 15 metres. School versions may set a shorter distance or adjust the rule.
Can you throw the ball to a teammate?
No. The usual legal ways to dispose of the ball are kicking and handballing. For a handball, punch the ball with a clenched fist while holding it in your other hand.
Final Thoughts
The main school Australian Rules Football rules are easy to grasp: move the ball by kicking or handballing, score through the posts, and play safely. The details—especially contact, team size, mark distance and match length—can vary between schools and age groups. A quick rules briefing before the first bounce will help you know what is allowed and let everyone enjoy the game.
Aiden Cross is a sports writer and editor at BeliveSports, covering a broad range of sports with a focus on clear, accurate, and practical information. His work covers rules, techniques, player roles, competitions, equipment, statistics, and the details that help readers better understand how different sports are played. Aiden takes a research-driven approach to sports writing, using reliable sources and established sporting information to provide context rather than simply repeating surface-level facts. His goal is to make complex topics accessible while maintaining the accuracy and depth expected by knowledgeable sports fans. At BeliveSports, Aiden contributes to the site’s editorial standards by focusing on accuracy, clarity, useful context, and reader-first explanations.