When people talk about the traditional form of Australian Rules Football, they usually mean the full-field, 18-a-side game played outdoors under the standard laws. It is the familiar version seen in the AFL and many state and community competitions: two teams contest an oval-shaped ground, move the ball by kicking or handballing, and score between four tall goalposts.
That format is the game’s main reference point, but it is not the only way Australian football is played. Local leagues may use fewer players, while junior programs change the field, ball or rules to suit young players. Knowing the difference helps you understand what counts as the traditional game—and what is an adaptation for a particular competition or age group.
The traditional game: 18 players on an oval
In the standard senior format, each team has 18 players on the field at a time. Teams can also have interchange players, with the number and substitution rules set by the competition. The game is played on an oval or oval-like ground, with four posts at each end. The distance between the two taller central posts forms the scoring area.
A ball kicked between the central posts, without being touched, is a goal worth six points. A ball that passes between a central post and a shorter outer post is a behind, worth one point. The team with the higher score at the end wins. Matches are divided into four quarters, though quarter length and breaks can vary between leagues and levels.
Players advance the ball by kicking it or by handballing: holding the ball in one hand and punching it with the other fist. They can also run with it, but must bounce or touch it on the ground at regular intervals, generally at least once every 15 metres under the standard laws. There is no offside line, so players can spread across the ground and attack from different directions.
How players use the ground
Australian football has familiar positional groups, but roles are flexible rather than fixed. A team usually has defenders, midfielders and forwards, with ruck players contesting boundary throw-ins and ball-ups. A midfielder may win possession near the centre, then kick forward; a defender might leave their opponent to help intercept that kick; and a forward may lead into space or compete for a mark.
A mark is awarded when a player catches a kick that has travelled at least 15 metres and has not been touched by another player. The catcher can then take a set kick without being tackled. Marks give teams a chance to slow play, reset their shape and target a particular teammate. By contrast, a team that wins the ball in a ground-level contest may try to move it quickly through the corridor—the central part of the ground—before the defence can organise.
The oval and open-field movement are central to the traditional game. Players need to judge space, communicate with teammates and switch direction when one side of the ground is crowded. Unlike a sport with a fixed ball-carrying lane, an attack can build through the middle, along a flank or with a long kick toward a forward contest.
Common forms and adaptations
Most organised competitions use the same core idea, but player numbers and conditions can change. The table below separates the standard senior format from common adaptations; exact rules depend on the league.
| Form | Typical setup | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional senior Australian football | 18 players per side on an outdoor oval | The standard full-field format, with the full scoring system, marks, tackles, rucks and interchange rules set by the competition. |
| Reserves and community football | Usually based on the 18-a-side game | Played at club or league level. Ground size, quarter length, interchange numbers and other details may differ from top-level competitions. |
| Women’s Australian football | Often 18-a-side in senior competitions | Uses the same core skills and scoring system. Competition-specific rules, match length and interchange arrangements can vary. |
| Reduced-player formats | Commonly 9, 12 or 16 players per side, depending on the league | Used where player numbers or field space are limited. Fewer players can create more open space and change how teams cover the ground. |
| Junior and Auskick formats | Numbers, field size and equipment suited to age | Modified rules help children learn skills and take part safely. The setup becomes closer to the full game as players progress. |
Reduced-player football
There is no single reduced-player format used everywhere. Some local competitions use nine-a-side or other numbers to make a game possible when clubs have smaller squads. A smaller team can still use Australian football’s main skills—kicking, handballing, marking and tackling—but coaches have fewer players to cover the width and depth of the ground.
That changes the tactics. In an 18-a-side match, a team can place players across several lines and use numbers to pressure the ball carrier. In a reduced-player game, players may need to cover more space individually, and a quick switch of play can be especially valuable. These formats keep the sport accessible, but they are adaptations rather than the traditional senior setup.
Junior football and Auskick
Children do not usually begin with an adult-sized match and full-strength ball. Junior competitions and Auskick programs adjust the game to fit the players’ age and experience. Depending on the program, that may mean a smaller ground, fewer players, a softer or smaller ball, shorter matches or rules that encourage everyone to get involved.
The aim is to teach the foundations: a safe handball, a controlled kick, catching a mark and finding space. As children grow, their competition rules and playing conditions can move closer to the senior game. So junior football is best understood as a pathway into the traditional form, not a different code of Australian football.
What makes a version “traditional”?
The clearest marker is the full outdoor game with 18 players per side and the familiar Australian-football scoring system. The level of competition does not define the form: a community match can be traditional football even if the crowd is small and the quarters are shorter than at elite level.
Other formats may preserve the same basic skills but change the number of players, the playing area or the rules. Indoor versions and social kick-to-kick can be enjoyable ways to play or practise, but they are not the standard traditional match. If you are watching a game, check the competition rules for details such as interchange numbers and match length.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many players are on the field in traditional Australian Rules Football?
The standard senior game has 18 players per team on the field. Interchange players sit off the ground and can enter according to the competition’s rules.
Is women’s Australian football a different form of the sport?
It uses the same core game: teams kick and handball, compete for marks, tackle and score goals and behinds. Player numbers are commonly 18 per side in senior competitions, though match rules and conditions can vary by league.
What is nine-a-side Australian football?
It is a reduced-player version used in some competitions, often when fewer players or a smaller playing area are available. The core skills remain, but teams have more space to cover and tactics can differ from the full 18-a-side game.
Is Auskick the same as a traditional match?
No. Auskick introduces children to Australian football through age-appropriate activities and modified games. Its rules and setup are designed for learning and participation rather than reproducing a full senior match.
Final Thoughts
The traditional form of Australian Rules Football is the outdoor, 18-a-side game played on an oval, with goals and behinds, marks, tackles, kicks and handballs. Reserves and community leagues often follow that template, while junior programs and reduced-player competitions adapt it to their players and circumstances. Once you know that distinction, it is easier to recognise the full game—and see how its central skills carry across the different ways people play.
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.