Australian Rules Football

Australian Rules Football is a unique and very popular game in Australia, in some states it is almost a religion amongst the followers, with rivalries amongst teams nearly to the level of the English Premier League. With this level of interest it is not uncommon for it to be widely discussed in schools each week and certainly has become a popular sport to play in PE. While popular it is very difficult to adapt for students with vision impairment, and SASSVI has worked closely with AFL Victoria to develop the game of AFL Blind which has become a multi team competition in Melbourne.

Like all information on this website it is important to understand that these are just possible adaptations and for further information please contact your advisory teacher or Andrew Whisson (PE teacher at the SA School for Vision Impaired).

Communication is key in all sport adaptations and Australian Rules Football is no different. Enforcing that all students or athletes playing the game communicate their position allows athletes with vision impairment to feel confident on the field. This can be done by enforcing all athletes to communicate "Voi" or "Mine" when intending to take possession of the ball, either as an offender or defender. The failure to do so results in a free kick from this point on the field. In enforcing this rule, we are able to ensure that an athlete with a vision impairment can have confidence in where their peers are and not have the ball taken from them or collide with a team mate or the opposition when running at the ball.

Reducing the number of players in each game or drill also acts to reduce the confusion, clutter and any reserved reactions from athletes or students with vision impairment. Rather than playing 1 full field game with 18 players each team, half the size of the playing area and reduce the teams to 7 players on each team, similar to the Indoor football played in most cities in Australia. Similarly considering antidensity rules used in competitions like the SANFLW league where 2 people must be in the forward 50m, and 5 players must be insde their forward hald at the bounce.

Changing the rules further for athletes with vision impairment can also allow for inclusivity. The game of Australian Rules Football is more often an aerial game, and relies heavily on the students being able to track a ball moving through the air can be difficult, resulting in the student with vision impairment having a potentially reduced or impossible chance of "marking" (catching) the ball. Because of this it is possible to change the rules as to what makes a "mark" by having students with vision impairment only having to have the ball hit their hands, arms or chest with an intentional movement towards the ball. This could change depending on the student's vision impairment and the severity of this. This can even be adjusted even further with an athlete with no functional vision, allowing a mark to be paid for a ball hitting them above the waist on their front with either a kick or a handball.

In AFL blind the scoring is adjusted for players with different vision impairments, and those without functional vision (B1) have their scores doubled, goal is 12 points instead of 6 and a point is 2 points instead of 1. Depending on the flow and inclusive nature of their peers, this could certainly be considered in the educational or club setting.

Depending on the individual students the equipment will differ greatly. For all student's, however, the choice of ball is an important first step to ensure an inclusive unit or lesson. Depending on the vision of the individual student it may be important to include a blind soccer ball, or a ball of high contrast to the environment being played in (see PE adaptations pages). AFL Blind balls are now available from Sherrin, and are beep/buzz balls, balls that create a constant beep or buzzing sound and can be tracked audibly even when still or in the air.

Not all students require an audible ball, in this case it is important to consider the highest possible contrast to the environment, using a yellow or pink ball instead of the traditional red ball. For more information on contrast please visit the PE Adaptations for Students with Low Vision section of this website.

Alternatively, it may also help build confidence for students with vision impairment to use a softer touch ball or soft ball to reduce a natural fear of being hit and hurt by a faster moving ball.

By ensuring the adaptations above, the lesson, unit or training will automatically become more inclusive and encourage all students or athletes to be involved. However, further rule changes could also encourage inclusive practice. The could be as simple as all students must touch the ball before a goal can be scored. This forces all students to turn to their team members or peers and support their involvement in the game. Reduce or remove the time that the athlete or students with a vision impairment spends in goal as a keeper, not only is it very difficult to trap or effectively stop a fast moving shot it may also reduce their opportunity to be involved in the game at all.

For more information you may wish to visit the AFL Blind page on this website or contact your advisory teacher or Andrew Whisson (PE Teacher at the SA School and Services for Vision Impaired).