Nine-a-side footy

Nine-a-side football is a sport based on Australian rules football played informally by Aussie rules clubs but not yet an official sport in its own right.

9-a-side games are sometimes played on half size fields that are typically rectangular or more commonly rugby or soccer fields, with 9 players on the field at any one time, typically consisting of 3 forwards, 3 backs and 3 centre players. Often two games are played at the same time on a single Australian Rules or cricket pitch. Other times, 9-a-side makes use of the full space of the field when a full complement of players is not available. This variety is a more open, running variety of Australian rules.

Rules

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The following rules apply in 9-a-side football as played by Aussie Rules UK:[1]

  • Up to 9 players on each team, with 3 players each designated as forwards, centres and backs
  • After each goal the players must be in their respective third of the pitch but may rove freely after the ball-up
  • Goals and behinds may only be scored from within the forward zone
  • Players may bounce the ball only once before disposing of it
  • If the ball goes out of play (whether on the full or not) the nearest opponent shall kick the ball back into play

All other rules remain unchanged. www.9asidefootball.com

Advantages

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Australian Rules football has struggled to develop outside Australia partly because the game is highly resource intensive. A game requires the use of a large cricket oval, many players (40 including interchanges) and several officials. The adaptation of the game to rugby fields requires far fewer players and a pitch that is more readily available, and as a result, many more people are being introduced to the game outside Australia.

Competitions

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Examples of official tournaments held under these rules include:

Existing formats

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Aussie Rules UK Definition of rules for use in UK league