Goal
Kick the ball through the two middle posts for 6 points.
Basics
The core terms that make the rest of the rules easier to read.
Behind
Score 1 point if the ball goes through a side gap, is touched through, or hits a post.
Disposal
A legal kick or handball. Disposals are the basic measure of how often a team uses the ball.
Mark
A clean catch from a kick, usually giving the player a free kick from that spot.
Tackle
Stopping or pressuring the player with the ball. Tackles are a pressure stat.
Inside 50
An attacking entry into the 50-metre arc. More inside 50s usually means more scoring chances.
Flow
How possession, scoring, and switches of play happen.
1 / 6
1
Centre bounce
Play starts with a centre bounce, where rucks contest the ball.
2
Move the ball
Players advance the ball by kicks and handballs, not throws.
3
Running bounce
A player running with the ball must bounce it periodically.
4
Mark and free kick
A clean mark usually stops play and gives the player a kick from that spot.
5
Score and restart
After a goal, play restarts from the centre. After a behind, the defending team usually kicks back in.
6
Inside 50 to shot
Teams try to win clearances, move inside 50, and turn entries into scoring shots.
Timeline
How long the game runs, and what can change the ending.
Four quarters
An AFL match is played over 4 quarters.
Time on
The clock can be extended for stoppages, injuries, goals, and other delays.
After the siren
If a player has a set shot when the siren sounds, they may still take that kick.
Extra time
Finals can use extra time if scores are tied, while regular-season games can finish drawn.
Stats
Plain-English meanings for common challenge columns.
Kicks expand_more
Kicks
Times the team moved the ball by foot.
Handballs expand_more
Handballs
Times the team legally passed by hand.
Disposals expand_more
Disposals
Kicks plus handballs.
Marks expand_more
Marks
Clean catches from kicks.
Hitouts expand_more
Hitouts
Ruck taps from stoppages.
Clearances expand_more
Clearances
Wins from centre bounces or stoppages that move the ball away from congestion.
Rebound 50s expand_more
Rebound 50s
Times a team exits its defensive 50.
Clangers expand_more
Clangers
Major mistakes, such as bad disposals or free kicks against.
Goal accuracy expand_more
Goal accuracy
Goals as a percentage of scoring shots.