The amateur version of Australian Rules Football is usually just called community football, local footy or grassroots footy. It follows the same basic game as the professional AFL: two teams move an oval ball by kicking, handballing and running, then score by sending it between four posts.
There is no single amateur rule set used everywhere. Local leagues generally play traditional Australian rules with adjustments for age, ground size and player numbers. If you want a more casual, non-contact option, AFL 9s is a popular modified version. Which one suits you depends on whether you want the full contest or a social game with less contact.
What amateur Australian Rules Football looks like
Community football is the everyday form of the sport played by local clubs, schools, universities and regional leagues. Most players are not full-time professionals. They may train after work or school, play on weekends and represent a club based in their suburb or town.
The rules are broadly the same as in the AFL. Players kick the ball, handball it by punching it from the other hand, and run while bouncing or touching it to the ground at least once every 15 metres. A clean catch of a kick is called a mark. A mark gives the player time to take a kick without being tackled.
Teams score by kicking the ball through the two taller central posts for a goal, worth six points, or between a central post and a shorter outer post for a behind, worth one point. Local competitions may change details such as match length, interchange numbers or the size of the playing area, but the core skills and scoring system remain familiar.
Community footy compared with the AFL
The biggest difference is the setting, not the sport itself. AFL clubs have professional lists, full-time training programs and large stadiums. Amateur and community clubs usually have volunteer coaches, smaller facilities and players who balance football with jobs, study or family life.
| Feature | AFL level | Community or amateur level |
|---|---|---|
| Players | Professional athletes | Usually unpaid or receiving limited match payments, depending on the league |
| Training | Frequent, structured and often full-time | Often a few evening sessions each week, with schedules varying by club |
| Ground and facilities | Major stadiums and dedicated training centres | Local ovals, clubrooms and shared facilities |
| Rules | Standard AFL rules and competition regulations | Similar core rules, with local adjustments possible |
Some high-level state and country competitions sit between professional AFL and purely recreational football. They may include paid players and strong training commitments, so “amateur” does not always mean the same thing in every league. A local club can tell you whether its competition is social, amateur or semi-professional.
Is AFL 9s the amateur version?
People sometimes use “amateur version” to mean AFL 9s, but it is more accurate to call it a modified, recreational form of Australian football. It uses nine players per side and is designed to be non-contact, making it an accessible option for adults and beginners who want to play without the tackling and physical contest of traditional footy.
AFL 9s is played on a smaller field than a full-sized match, and its rules encourage passing and movement while limiting contact. Exact details can vary between competitions, so check the local rules before your first game. The format still uses the familiar oval ball, kicking, handballing and goal-scoring idea, but it is not simply a standard match with fewer players.
If you want to experience the full sport, join a community club. If you would rather try a lower-contact social game, look for an AFL 9s competition. Both can be good starting points; they just offer different kinds of contest.
How to get started
You do not need AFL experience to contact a local club. Many clubs welcome beginners, and some run introductory sessions or social teams. Before signing up, ask about age groups, fitness expectations, training nights, fees, equipment and whether the club has a beginner-friendly side.
- Try a session first: Ask if you can attend a training session before committing to a season.
- Get the basics right: A mouthguard is strongly recommended for contact football. Clubs can explain their requirements and may lend basic gear.
- Build simple skills: Practise a short handball, a drop punt and catching a chest-high mark. Coaches will help with technique.
- Choose the right format: Traditional community footy has tackling and contested marking; AFL 9s is intended to be non-contact.
For children, Auskick introduces Australian football through age-appropriate activities and modified games. It is a junior participation program rather than the adult amateur version, but it can be a useful first step for young players.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is amateur Australian Rules Football played under AFL rules?
It uses the same basic rules and scoring, but local leagues may adjust match length, player numbers, interchange rules or other details. Check the competition’s rules rather than assuming every league is identical.
Is AFL 9s the same as community footy?
No. Community footy usually means traditional Australian rules played in a local competition. AFL 9s is a smaller-sided, non-contact recreational format with modified rules.
Can you start playing Australian Rules Football as an adult?
Yes. Many clubs accept adult beginners, and social or AFL 9s competitions can be an easier introduction. Contact a local club to ask about beginner sessions and suitable teams.
Do amateur players get paid?
It depends on the competition. Many community players receive no payment, while some stronger local or state leagues may offer match payments. Ask the club or league how its competition works.
Final Thoughts
The amateur version of Australian Rules Football is most often called community or local footy, and it keeps the sport’s familiar kicking, handballing, marking and four-post scoring. There is no one national amateur format, so rules and competition levels vary. For a traditional match, find a local club; for a social, non-contact alternative, try AFL 9s.
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.