Wanna Play Some "Footy"?

By: Mae Lynn Paulino
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:26:20
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There have been evidence from many ancient societies such as the Chinese, Greek, Maya, and Egyptian, reveals that kicking games were a part of those cultures. The modern game of soccer (for the Americans but football to the international scene) began in the 19th century in England, when a variety of football games developed, all of which involved both handling and kicking the ball. Australia, being one of the colonies of the United Kingdom, also developed an enjoyment and love for the said game.

However, the actual origin of the sport is still both in doubt and in dispute since there had been numerous accounts that the aborigine natives of Australia have already been playing the game even before the English came to colonize the area. On the other hand, some accounts also suggest that the convicts who were moved to Australia for their crimes and other immigrants started the game by playing some crude version of football. One thing that is certain though, in regards to the existence of football, or footy for some, in Australia is its rules which are better know as the “Australian Rules” or simply “Aussie Rules”.

It was in 1858 when Tom Wills and Henry Harrison formally codified ten rules from the various games that were being played in the colony. This said code has features common with the traditional English football, the Aboriginal game named Mam Grook and Gaelic football. The aim in solidifying the code for the Australian football, as stated Will’s letter in “Bell's Life in Victoria & Sporting Chronicle”, is to keep the cricketers fit during winter. (Cricket is another different sport that is also being played in Australia.)

The Aussie rules are unique in a sense that both the ball and their playing field are oval in shape and in addition to that are the following Aussie rules:

• No more than 18 players of each team are permitted to be on the field at any time. Up to four interchange (reserve) players may be swapped for those on the field at any time during the game.
• There is no offside rule nor are there set positions in the rules—unlike many other forms of football—players from both teams disperse across the whole field before the start of play.
• A game consists of four quarters. The length of the quarters can vary from 15 to 25 minutes in different leagues. In the AFL, quarters are 20 minutes, but the clock is stopped when the ball is out of play, meaning that an average quarter could last for 27 to 31 minutes.
• Games are officiated by umpires.
• Unlike other forms of football, Australian football begins similarly to basketball. After the first siren, the umpire bounces the ball on the ground, and the two ruckmen (typically the tallest man from each team), battle for the ball in the air on its way back down.
• The ball can be propelled in any direction by way of a foot, clenched fist (called a handball or hand pass) or open-hand tap (unlike rugby football there is no knock-on rule) but it cannot be thrown under any circumstances.
• A player may run with the ball but it must be bounced or touched on the ground at least every 15 meters. Opposition players may bump or tackle the player to obtain the ball and, when tackled, the player must dispose of the ball cleanly or risk being penalized for holding the ball. The ball carrier may only be tackled between the shoulders and knees. If the opposition player pushes a player in the back whilst performing a tackle, the opposition player will be penalized for a push in the back.
• If a player takes possession of the ball that has traveled more than 15 meters from another player's kick, by way of a catch, it is claimed as a mark and that player may then have a free kick (meaning that that the game stops while he prepares to kick from the point at which he marked).
• Apart from free kicks or when the ball is in the possession of an umpire for a ball up or throws in, the ball is always in dispute and any player from either side can take possession of the ball.

Australians like to do things their way so it’s little to no wonder how they were able to come up with a game that is internationally played and well-known but they still managed retain their own identity by incorporating their own sets of rules.

Now that you know the basics of one of the well-played game in the “land down under”, why don’t you go outside and play some “footy” now?!

Article source: Expert Articles