AFL Recreational Football is set to kick off during October at venues across the country. Designed so that ‘Everyone can play’; it is less physically demanding, has a minimal time commitment, no risk of serious injury with a major emphasis on fun and safety. Played in a friendly social environment, the game enables people of all ages and ability levels to participate in male, female or mixed competitions.
The AFL Recreational Football philosophy is to provide a fun, social and safe, recreational experience in a community environment that encourages participation. The game is non-contact played between two teams of eight with an unlimited number of interchange players allowed.
The major changes to the traditional rules include:
- The field (100m x 50m) is divided into three zones, a 60m mid zone and two 20m scoring zones.
- Games generally go for 2 x 20min halves of 4 x 10min quarters.
- Teams score by kicking the football to one of three designated forwards in their scoring zone, only forwards can kick for goal after marking the ball in their scoring zone.
- If a turnover occurs (i.e when loose ball makes contact with the ground) the opposing team gains possession of the ball from where the ball first made contact with the ground.
- The player with the ball is dispossessed when one or both of his/her flags are completely removed by an opponent (flag belts worn).
- There is no tackling, bumping or sheparding.
