The Rules of Aussie 7s Footy

Aussie Sevens Touch is a game that engages people of any age, race and gender in our home grown game of Australian Rules football, in a friendly, inclusive and safe environment. Teams consist of 7 players on the field with a minimum of 3 females to be on the field at any one time (unless otherwise agreed to by both captains). There is no limit on the number of interchange players or the number of interchanges.

THE PLAYING FIELD

The playing field is the approximate size of a soccer field marked into an oval shape. (Approx 90-120 metres long x 50-60 metres wide.)

ZONES

The playing field is split into 3 distinctive zones: Attack/Midfield/Defence (2/3/2). At the start of each half and after every goal, all players must start in their respective zones. During play, a player cannot kick over the midfield zone. In other words, a player kicking the ball from the defensive zone must kick it into the midfield zone before it goes into the attacking zone. Any ball kicked over the midfield zone on the full will result in a turnover at the point of origin. Forwards are the only players who can kick goals and are required to wear Fluro bibs so that everyone can identify them.

COMMENCING PLAY

Play will commence with a basketball-style “jump ball” in the centre of the field. The same applies after any goal. It is to be contested by one nominated midfield player from each team. That player can only tap the ball from this contest, they cannot take possession otherwise a free kick against will result. All players are required to start in their zones before play can commence.

GENERAL PLAY

Most of the general rules of Australian football will apply, with a few exceptions:

No physical contact – there is no tackling/bumping or general rough play to be employed in this game. In addition to no contact, if a player takes possession of the ball, opponents cannot knock the ball out of their hands. They can only tag them and/or attempt to block their disposal effort.

No raising of the knees in marking contests. In other words, don’t go trying to take a Warrick Capper style sitter using your knees to jump on another player’s back/shoulders/head. And let’s leave out the tight shorts while we’re at it. These rules are of particular importance when an experienced player encounters an inexperienced player. Give them the chance to play the game. This is a social/inclusive sport. Let’s not forget we are playing for fun! Take enjoyment from helping out your foes as well as your friends! At some stage, they’ll probably fill in for your team or you for theirs so be nice to them!

KICKING

Unlike standard football, a kick can cover any distance and be caught by another player to be counted as a ‘mark’ (as opposed to there being a minimum distance of 15 metres).

Balls cannot be kicked off the ground. You are encouraged to pick the ball up before kicking or handballing it. Accidental kicks off the ground are the exception. The kicking in danger rule also applies. You cannot kick a ball out of another player’s hands.

HOLDING THE BALL/TAGGING

This is a fundamental rule of Australian football!

There are 2 situations that can arise here: “No Prior Opportunity” and “Prior Opportunity”

If a player takes possession of the ball and is tagged immediately, they have 3-4 steps (or approx 2 seconds to dispose of the ball by kicking or handballing). If they continue further than that, a free kick will be paid for ‘Holding the ball’.

‘Holding the ball’ is automatic if you are tagged with the ball with ‘prior opportunity’.

Players are encouraged to call ‘touch’ when tagging a player to help the umpires determine when a touch has occurred. Please don’t call ‘Touch’ before actually tagging a player!

Inexperienced players will generally be given a little more leeway by umpires in the spirit of giving every player an opportunity.

Please Note: If you choose to play on after taking a mark or receiving a free kick and are tagged (even if straight away) before disposing of the ball, you will be deemed to be ‘Holding the ball’

ILLEGAL CONTACT

This is non-contact football. At no time are you to be overly physical with an opponent. This rule applies in particular to protect less experienced participants, those who are new to Aussie Sevens Touch or football in general. If they get to the ball first, let them play the ball and take their kick. Encourage them to take their kick. Tell them where to kick it. It won’t kill you!

UMPIRE BIAS

Umpires are encouraged to give a little more leeway to less experienced players and will also always err on the side of protecting a player more vulnerable to injury in any decision made in a contested situation. Sometimes the umpire will be incorrect. Nobody’s perfect. Please respect that we are doing this in the best interests of everyone’s safety and also encouraging players to return the following week. Umpire abuse won’t be tolerated and penalties apply (see the 15 metre penalty).

CONGESTION

Players must approach congested situations with caution rather than hitting them at full pace. If you think you’re going to be second to the ball, ease up and let the other player take possession of the ball. It’s also worth reminding players without the ball that you cannot grab, tackle or try to strip a player of the ball. You can only block or corral players. Also NO lunging smothers! If multiple players approach congested situations at pace, a ball up is to be called and all players involved will be warned to ease up.

RUNNING WITH THE FLIGHT OF THE BALL

While it’s admired as the ultimate act of bravery in regular footy, it’s not encouraged in Aussie Sevens. It results in potentially dangerous situations. Players are discouraged from running with the flight of the ball ESPECIALLY at pace. If you are not sure of what is ahead of you when running with the flight of the ball, either slow down to take a look or pull out of the contest completely. Those who run back with the flight of the ball and an umpire deems it dangerous or if you collide with another player you will be penalised with a Free Kick against.

BOUNCING THE BALL

You must bounce the ball within the first 10 metres. One bounce only. You can run with the ball for another 10 metres after your first bounce before disposing of the ball. A second bounce or running too far will result in a free kick against.

TAPPING THE BALL

Players deemed to intentionally tap the ball to their advantage without taking possession more than ONCE will be penalised with a Free Kick against. Like the kicking off the ground rule, accidental taps or fumbles will be given the benefit of the doubt and called play on. The reasoning for this rule is to reduce the amount of time the ball spends on the ground which reduces the risk of collisions between players.

OUT OF BOUNDS

Any ball that leaves the field of play will incur a free kick against the person who last touched the ball. As there is only one central umpire, an honesty system is in place as to which player had the last touch. In the event that the last touch was inconclusive, a ‘jump ball’ 5 metres into the field of play will occur at the point where the ball last went out of bounds.

SCORING

A goal is scored when kicking the ball through the 2 middle (goal) posts without being touched by another player. A point is scored when kicked between the other posts or if the ball has been touched or rushed through by another player. A goal can only be kicked by a forward (with the exception of the 15 metre penalty rule – see infringements and penalties).  Forwards are identified by wearing bright Fluro training bibs.

A goal can only be kicked from a mark taken within the 25 metre zone, or from a free kick paid to a forward within that zone. A direct shot on goal cannot be taken from a Out of Bounds free kick.

Balls kicked through by the attacking team that are not forwards or by forwards who kick it from general play will not count as a score. A kick in will follow. A rushed behind by a defender counts as a point. Goals cannot be kicked from open play, only after a mark has been taken. Goals kicked by male forwards will score 6 points, goals from female forwards will score 10 points. Kick outs from a behind (1 point) may be ‘played on’ by the player kicking out as long they kick the ball to themselves before playing on.

TORPEDOES & DROP KICK GOALS

An additional THREE points will be awarded for a goal kicked from a drop kick or a torpedo. A drop kick can be taken from anywhere inside the forward arc. A torpedo must be released from outside the arc (from a mark taken by a forward inside the arc). Players attempting a torp will need to ‘’call it’’ before kicking it so the ump can verify it and it must resemble a torpedo punt through the air. That will be up to the umpires discretion.

CONTACT

Like full contact Australian Football, there is to be no contact above the shoulders, nor below the knees under any circumstances.

POSSESSION

The player who first arrives to the ball has ‘first rights’ to that ball. A player arriving second to the contest has no right to strip the ball from the first person to the ball, nor to knock it out of their hands. Otherwise a free kick will be paid. What the defending player can do is ‘tag’ them and attempt to block or smother their attempt to dispose of the ball. A player will have 2-3 seconds to legally dispose of the ball to avoid a penalty against.

SMOTHERING

Lunging across a player’s legs to smother a ball as they attempt to kick the ball is strictly prohibited. Again, it must be re-iterated that if you identify a player who has much less experience playing football and they take possession in your vicinity, PLEASE let them play the ball and dispose of it. ENCOURAGE them to do so.

TAKING POSSESSION ON THE GROUND

A player on the ground (not on his/her feet) cannot take possession of the ball. If they choose to do so, they lose ‘prior opportunity’ and will be deemed ‘holding the ball’ if they are tagged. They can tap the ball on to keep the play flowing. This is to encourage players to stay on their feet and also to avoid players sliding in.

INTIMIDATION

Players who intentionally intimidate opposition players by yelling/whistling/heckling them while they are attempting to kick, mark or pick up the ball will have a free kick paid against them. If the player infringed against has already kicked/handballed, a down the field free will be paid where the ball landed.

SHEPARDING

Players cannot “shepherd’ another player. Players are allowed to ‘screen’ similar to basketball where a player can plant their feet and block the path of an opponent but they cannot be moving when they do it which is a regular occurrence in full contact Australian Football.

15 METRE PENALTY AND SEND OFF RULE

Bringing back an old school rule! Infringements such as umpire abuse, failure to return the ball to a player correctly or in a timely manner after a free kick has been awarded, or a further infringement after a free kick has already been awarded, will result in a 15 metre penalty. After the penalty, whoever takes the kick, is entitled to take a shot on goal regardless of whether or not they are a forward, and regardless of whether or not they are in the forward zone. This is a great opportunity for players to show-off with a massive torpedo attempt.

Serious or subsequent infringements will result in that player’s expulsion from the game with no replacement player to take their place. We are hopeful this rule will never need to be used. We encourage feedback, whilst also acknowledging that we won’t get every decision correct. If there are decisions that you feel are being made incorrectly on a consistent basis, that are frustrating you or any of your team mates, please don’t hesitate to approach us to discuss it after the game in a calm and respectful manner. Otherwise, speak to your captain. There is a forum where they can bring up any issues with us. 🙂