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| Catching the ball is called a 'Mark'. And yes you are allowed to jump on your opponents shoulders to do it! |
(Watch Video #1) That's the first question on everyone's lips when you first talk about Aussie Rules. It's usually followed by "Oh, you mean Soccer" or "You're talking about Rugby, right?". Wrong!
Australian Rules Football, also called Aussie Rules or just 'Footy' is a dynamic, fast-paced game that is as fun to play as it is exciting to watch. Better yet, you don't have to be super tall or lightning fast to play, it's a game for everyone.
Using an oval ball, two teams try to outscore each other by kicking the ball through a set of goal posts (a goal is worth 6 points). When passing from team mate to team mate, teams are not allowed to throw the ball. Players can only move the ball around the field by hand-pass (punching the ball from the hand in a Volleyball type serve style) or kicking the ball (similar to the skill used by an NFL punter).
While it seems a little confusing at first, it's actually a very simple game. Like most sports, when your team has the ball you try to keep it and are involved in a 'Keepings Off' type of game style. When you are close enough to goal you attempt a score. That's it!
Aussie Rules Football is the number 1 sport played Down Under in Australia. It is also played as a niche sport pretty much everywhere else on the planet! Because the game uses so many different skills it complements most other sports perfectly and makes a great alternative to any child's favourite pastime.
