Australian Rules Football does not have one fixed grip for every situation. Players change the way they hold the oval ball depending on whether they are marking, carrying it or preparing to kick. The most important habit is to keep your fingers spread and use your hands to guide the ball, rather than squeezing it tightly.
If you are learning the game, start with a relaxed two-handed grip for handling and kicking, then practise the hand positions used to mark high and low balls. These simple adjustments help you control the ball in traffic and deliver a more reliable drop punt.
The basic grip on an Australian football
A standard Australian football has a textured surface and raised seams. Players often use those seams as a guide for their fingers, but there is no rule requiring a particular grip. Hand size, the ball’s shape and personal preference all affect what feels comfortable.
For general control, spread your fingers over the ball and keep your thumbs on the opposite side. Hold it firmly enough that it will not slip, but avoid clamping down: tense hands make it harder to adjust the ball quickly. When running, many players carry the ball in one hand and use the other arm for balance or protection. They can bring both hands back to the ball before passing or kicking.
Grip for a drop punt
The drop punt is the most common kick in Australian Rules Football. To prepare for one, hold the ball with both hands in front of your body. Let your fingers follow the seams or sit comfortably along the panels, and keep your grip relaxed. As you approach the kick, angle the ball slightly toward your kicking side and point its nose down.
Use both hands to guide the ball during the drop, then release it straight onto your kicking foot. The aim is to make clean contact with the lower part of the ball so it spins end over end. A drop that wanders across your body, or a ball squeezed too tightly on release, can make the kick harder to control.
Players do not all hold the ball in exactly the same way. Some use one hand more than the other to steady it, while others keep both hands involved until just before contact. The useful test is whether you can drop the ball consistently and strike it cleanly without changing your stride.
Simple drop-punt cues
- Relax your hands: Hold the ball securely, not rigidly.
- Keep it in front: A consistent starting position makes the drop easier to repeat.
- Guide, then release: Avoid throwing the ball down or pushing it sideways.
- Practise at walking pace: Build a straight, repeatable drop before adding a run-up.
How to grip the ball when marking
A mark is a clean catch of a kick that has travelled at least 15 metres without being touched by another player. The best hand position depends on where the ball is arriving. In either case, reach for the ball with open hands and let your fingers and arms soften the impact.
Marking above your head
For a high mark, spread your fingers and bring your thumbs and index fingers toward one another to form a loose “W” shape. Keep your eyes on the ball and meet it out in front of your forehead rather than waiting for it to drop onto your head or chest. Once it lands in your hands, draw it securely toward your body.
Marking a low ball
For a ball arriving below your waist, turn your hands so your little fingers come closer together and your thumbs point outward. Bend your knees, get your hands behind the ball and bring it into your body as you catch. This position gives you a better chance of securing a skidding or dropping ball than reaching down with stiff hands.
For a chest-height mark, adjust between those two shapes so your hands can close around the ball. The key is not to use a locked, one-size-fits-all grip. Read the flight, get your body into position and let your hands follow the ball.
Grip when handballing
In a handball, one hand holds the ball while the other fist strikes it. The holding hand should support the ball steadily in front of you, with your fingers spread enough to control it. Do not toss it high: the ball must be hit from the hand, so a big throw can make the handball harder to execute cleanly.
Keep the ball around waist height and use a short, controlled strike with a clenched fist. In a pressured contest, a compact handball is usually more practical than trying to make a long, powerful hit. Your grip should help you release the ball quickly while keeping it under control.
Common grip mistakes
- Squeezing too hard: Tension can spoil a clean drop or make a mark rebound off your hands.
- Reaching with stiff fingers: Relaxed hands absorb the ball’s impact better.
- Using one marking shape for every ball: Change your hand position to suit the ball’s height.
- Dropping the ball across your body: Practise a straight release before trying to kick at full pace.
- Looking away too soon: Watch the ball into your hands, especially when marking in traffic.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official grip for holding an Australian football?
No. The rules do not prescribe a specific grip for holding the ball. Players choose a hand position that gives them control for the action they are about to perform.
How should you hold the ball for a drop punt?
Hold it in front of your body with a relaxed two-handed grip, angle it slightly toward your kicking side and guide it straight down onto your foot. Practise the drop until it is consistent.
How do you position your hands for a high mark?
Spread your fingers and bring your thumbs and index fingers toward one another in a loose “W” shape. Reach out to meet the ball, then draw it into your body.
Should you grip the ball tightly when running?
Use a secure but relaxed hold. Many players carry the ball in one hand while running, then bring both hands to it when they are ready to pass or kick.
Final Thoughts
The right grip in Australian Rules Football depends on the job: a relaxed hold helps you control the ball, a guided two-handed grip supports a drop punt, and your marking hands should change with the ball’s height. Focus on soft hands, a secure hold and a clean release. With practice, those small adjustments become natural whether you are taking a mark, handballing under pressure or setting up a kick.
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.