Australian Rules Football gala day

Skill focus: Playing as a team

Session equipment

One Australian Rules Football per game
Marker cones to set out playing field
Marker cones for goals
Whistle for teacher to referee
Gala day draw
Bibs or sashes to distinguish between teams

Download the Australian Rules Football - Gala day task card to support teaching before and during the sport session.

Fast start - Student choice

Choose one of the Fast starts played in the Australian Rules Football unit to use as a warm-up for the gala day competition.

Australian Rules Football gala day

Organisation

In the week prior to the gala day, students may be given time to create signs to support their team at the gala day.
Set-up playing field prior to session. The playing field can be any size, but has maximum dimensions of 100 metres by 50 metres. Fields can be modified to suit player ability. The field is divided into three zones: a mid-zone and two scoring zones.
Explain the organisation of the matches being played using the gala day draw below.
Select a student from each team to be the team captain for the gala day.
Give students 5 minutes to meet as a team to decide on starting positions and strategies for their first game.

Gala day draw

Use results in ‘Australian Rules Football results spreadsheet' to determine the team who finishes the round games in 1st position, 2nd position, 3rd position and 4th position.

Student engagement

Teams that are not playing in a game can take on officiating roles and also be the spectators.
Officiating responsibilities may include:
- time keeping
- side line referee
- scoring
- ground control

Rules and guidelines

AFL9 rules apply for the Australian Rules Football gala day.

Start of play and zones

At the start of each half and after a goal has been scored, play is started via a ball-up between two centre players in the middle zone; players must stand toe to toe in the ball-up (no run up is allowed).
Teams consist of three backs, three centres and three forwards. Forwards can be distinguished by wristbands or arm bands.
Players must be in their zones at the start of the match and after a goal has been scored. Once the game is in progress, players can move freely across all three zones.
The ball must be touched in the middle zone. It cannot be kicked from the back zone directly into the forward zone. If this occurs, a free kick will be awarded to the opposition at the point at which the ball entered the scoring zone.

Scoring

Forwards are the only players permitted to score points and only from their team's scoring zone.

Kick-in

If a behind (one point) is scored the ball is required to be kicked back into play from between the goals by a defender. When the ball goes out of bounds (ball completely over the line) by hand or foot, the nearest opponent shall kick the ball back into play.

Kicking off the ground

A player is not permitted to deliberately kick the ball off the ground.

A mark

A mark is awarded irrespective of the distance the ball has travelled. There is to be absolutely no contact in a marking contest. The player in the front position has every opportunity to mark the ball and in many cases, the umpire can nominate which player has right of way to mark the ball. When a player is awarded a mark or free kick, an opposing player may stand at the position on the playing surface where the mark or free kick was awarded, known as ‘the mark’.

The bounce

A player in possession can only bounce the ball once before it has to be disposed of to another player or a goal attempted.

Reflection

2 stars and a wish

Ask students - what are 2 things you feel you did well today?

What will you take away from Australian Rules Football that you can use for our next sport?

Students can answer reflection questions as a whole class, small group or in pairs.