Editing Australian rules football (section)

===Game skills===
====Ball movement====
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An Australian rules football may only be propelled forward in a select few ways as defined by the Laws of Australian Football, published by the AFL. The ball can be propelled in any direction by way of a kick or a clenched fist (called a [[handball (Australian rules football)|handball]])—deemed a correct disposal.<ref name="Definitions">{{cite web |title=Definitions, Interpretations and Variation |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=12 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=12 |url-status=live }}</ref> Failure to dispose of the ball in one of these two methods will result in a [[Free kick (Australian rules football)|free kick]] to the opposing team.<ref name="FreeKickOther">{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Free Kicks (Other) |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=56 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=56 |url-status=live }}</ref> If the ball is not currently in a player's possession, it can be moved legally through the usage of other means, such as punching.<ref name="Definitions" /> While in possession of the ball, players may run with the ball, but are required to either [[Running bounce|bounce or touch the ball]] on the ground at least once every {{convert|15|m|yd}}.<ref name="FreeKickOther" />

====Tackling====
[[File:Christian Petracca tackling Zaine Cordy.jpg|thumb|left|Tackling]]
Tackling is a technique employed by players used to force opposition players to dispose of the ball when they are in possession. Failure to dispose of the ball when legally tackled may see the player penalised for '[[holding the ball]]', except if the umpire deems there was a lack of prior opportunity to do so.<ref>{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Holding the Ball |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=52 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=52 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ball carrier may only be tackled between the shoulders and knees from the front or side.<ref name="Definitions" /> If the player forcefully contacts the opposing in the back while performing a tackle, the opposition player will be penalised for a [[push in the back]]. If the opposition tackles the player with possession below the knees (a ''low tackle'' or a ''trip'') or above the shoulders (a ''high tackle''), the team with possession of the football gets a free kick.<ref name="Prohibited">{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Prohibited Contact |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=50 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=50 |url-status=live }}</ref> Furthermore, tackles deemed to be dangerous by the umpire and those conducted from front-on while an opposition player has their head over the football are deemed to be prohibited contact, and will incur a free kick against the offending player.<ref name="Prohibited" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Rough Conduct |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=53 |website=afl.com.au |publisher=AFL |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=53 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Additionally, players may perform a technique known [[shepherding (Australian rules football)|shepherding]] when the ball is within {{convert|5|m|yd}} of an opposition player. Shepherding involves the use of a player's body to push, bump or otherwise block an opposition player, providing they do not have possession of the ball.<ref name="Definitions" />

====Marking====
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If a player takes possession of the ball that has travelled more than {{convert|15|m|yd}} from another player's kick, by way of a catch within the field of play, it is deemed as a ''[[mark (Australian football)|mark]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Marking |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=41 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=41 |url-status=live }}</ref> To be awarded a mark, it must be deemed that the player sufficiently controlled the ball and took possession prior to it being touched, touching the ground, or in the case of a contest, being spoiled by an opponent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-Laws-of-Australian-Football-Mobile.pdf|title=Laws of Australian Football 2024|publisher=Australian Football League|year=2024|accessdate=13 November 2024|page=51}}</ref> Upon a mark being taken, one opposition player may choose to stand on the point on the field where the mark was taken, known as "the mark". When a mark is taken, a small protected zone is established on the field, extending {{convert|10|m|yd}} either side of "the mark" and the player who marked the ball, with a small protected corridor between "the mark" and the player. The opposition player is permitted to jump, but is not allowed to move from their position on "the mark". Any other movements result in a distance penalty (50 metres in the AFL).<ref name="MarkDisposal">{{cite web |title=Match Provisions – Disposal After Mark |url=https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=58 |website=afl.com.au |access-date=4 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303143306/https://resources.afl.com.au/afl/document/2022/03/28/6d92ed7c-efc2-44dc-86bc-9fa1d9b338ad/2022-Laws-of-the-Game-Booklet.pdf#page=58 |url-status=live }}</ref> The player who was awarded the mark may then choose to either dispose of the ball over "the mark" or may choose to attempt disposal via a different method, in which case the field umpire will call "play on"—a verbal instruction to continue play.<ref name="MarkDisposal" /><ref name="Definitions" /> "Play on" may also be called if the umpire deems the player awarded the mark to be taking an unreasonable amount of time to dispose of the football.<ref name="MarkDisposal" />

Once the player has disposed of the ball, or "play on" is called, normal play resumes.<ref name="MarkDisposal" />

====Rucking====
{{see|Ruck (Australian rules football)}}
[[File:Tim English and Levi Casboult ruck contest.4.jpg|thumb|upright|Rucking]]
Rucking is the only specialist skill and is performed by a ruck, the term for designated players from each side to which umpire sends the ball to commence play.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-Laws-of-Australian-Football-Mobile.pdf|title=Laws of Australian Football 2024|publisher=Australian Football League|year=2024|accessdate=13 November 2024|page=38}}</ref> Only a nominated ruck may contest ball-ups and throw-ins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-Laws-of-Australian-Football-Mobile.pdf|title=Laws of Australian Football 2024|publisher=Australian Football League|year=2024|accessdate=13 November 2024|page=40}}</ref> They are the only player allowed within the 10 metre circle at a centre bounce. Functionally the role is analogous to a [[Center (basketball)|basketball center]] and as such rucks are typically the tallest player on the team. Lifting teammates is not allowed<ref>{{cite web|url=https://play.afl/sites/default/files/2024-03/2024-Laws-of-Australian-Football-Mobile.pdf|title=Laws of Australian Football 2024|publisher=Australian Football League|year=2024|accessdate=13 November 2024|page=58}}</ref> so the ruck may only jump to reach the ball. If the ruck does not take possession of the football, it must be tapped or fisted, which is known as a hit-out. An effective hit-out that passes the ball to a teammate is known as a hit-out to advantage.<ref>[https://www.afl.com.au/news/144837/stats-glossary-every-stat-explained Stats glossary: Every stat explained] from AFL 28 December 2017</ref>