Editing Australian rules football (section)

===Players and equipment===
[[File:Akec Makur Chuot 26.01.20.jpg|thumb|upright|A uniform consists of a [[guernsey (Australian rules football)|guernsey]], shorts, socks and boots.]]
In a standard match, a team may consist of anywhere between 14 and 18 players who may be permitted on the playing surface at any given time. Each team may have up to four [[Interchange (Australian rules football)|interchange]] (reserve) players who may be swapped for those on the field at any time during the game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pre-Match Provisions – Teams and Players |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=21 |work=Laws of Australian Football 2022 |publisher=AFL |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143302/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=21 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although some leagues in less populated areas may use as few as 12 players.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kick in hope |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/king-islands-football-league-is-fighting-to-survive/102523518 |first1=Jeremy |last1=Story Carter |newspaper=ABC News |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=27 March 2024 |archive-date=27 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327074036/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-04/king-islands-football-league-is-fighting-to-survive/102523518 |url-status=live }}</ref> In addition, some leagues notably including the AFL, have each team designate one additional player as a substitute who can be used to make a single permanent exchange of players during a game for either medical or tactical reasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=No vests: AFL reveals details of revamped sub rule |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/872015/no-vests-afl-reveals-details-of-revamped-sub-rule |first1=Michael |last1=Rogers |website=afl.com.au |access-date=3 March 2024 |language=en |date=21 December 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143302/https://www.afl.com.au/news/872015/no-vests-afl-reveals-details-of-revamped-sub-rule |url-status=live }}</ref>

Players on the playing surface can be swapped with those on the interchange bench at any time. They must though pass through a designated "Interchange Area".<ref name="Interchange">{{cite web |title=Pre-Match Provisions – Interchange |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=25 |work=Laws of Australian Football 2022 |publisher=AFL |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143302/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=25 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the event a player fails to pass through this area correctly, or if too many players from one team are found to be on the ground at a time, a [[Free kick (Australian rules football)|free kick]] will be awarded to the opposing side.<ref name="Interchange" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Pre-Match Provisions – Counting of Players |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=23 |work=Laws of Australian Football 2022 |publisher=AFL |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143302/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=23 |url-status=live }}</ref>

While there is no set uniform, the basic equipment for Australian football consists of a guernsey, shorts, socks and boots, with additional pieces of apparel such as headbands and gloves additionally being permitted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Clubs and Uniforms |url=https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/AFL%20Regulations%20effective%209%20May%202019.pdf#page=25 |work=Australian Football League Regulations |publisher=AFL |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111183616/https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/AFL%20Regulations%20effective%209%20May%202019.pdf#page=25 |url-status=live }}</ref> Players may wear certain pieces of protective equipment, such as helmets or arm guards, if approved by the relevant controlling body.<ref name="ProtectiveEquip">{{cite web |title=Pre-Match Provisions – Protective Equipment |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=30 |work=Laws of Australian Football 2022 |publisher=AFL |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143302/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=30 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Mouthguard]]s are strongly recommended for all players.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Role of helmets & mouthguards in Australian Football |url=https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Respect%20and%20Responsibility/Role_of_helmets_and_mouthgaurds.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403011436/https://s.afl.com.au/staticfile/AFL%20Tenant/AFL/Files/Respect%20and%20Responsibility/Role_of_helmets_and_mouthgaurds.pdf |archive-date=Apr 3, 2024 |website=AFL.com.au}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-31 |title=Mouthguards Insure Against Injury |url=https://www.afl.com.au/news/536963/mouthguards-insure-against-injury |first1=Gordon S. |last1=Lynch |website=afl.com.au |language=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403011437/https://www.afl.com.au/news/536963/mouthguards-insure-against-injury |archive-date= Apr 3, 2024 }}</ref>

Players are not permitted to wear jewellery, or other materials which the [[Umpire (Australian rules football)|field umpire]] has deemed to be either potentially dangerous or increase the risk of injury to other players.<ref name="ProtectiveEquip" />