No-Tackle Aussie Rules Football
A no-tackle school version of Australian rules football, where the oval ball may only be kicked or handballed (punched off the palm), and a player who catches a long kick earns a free kick called a mark. Students work on passing, high catches, and no-contact play.
How to play
- Field about 130 x 80 ft. At each end, four poles in a line: between the two middle poles is a goal (6 points), and between a middle and an outer pole is a behind (1 point).
- Technique (6 min) in pairs: the handball (ball resting on one palm, punched with the closed fist of the other hand) and the kick from the hands.
- 6v6 game (two fields; waiting students officiate): the ball is never thrown; it moves by handball or kick only.
- With the ball in hand, players may take no more than 5 steps; to go farther they must bounce it once or pass it.
- Mark: a player who catches a kick of more than 25 ft on the fly calls "mark" and takes an unguarded free kick with defenders 6 ft away.
- Instead of tackling, if a defender tags the ball carrier with two hands, the carrier must pass within 3 seconds. Play two 6-minute halves, then switch opponents.
Rules
- Zero contact: no tackling, pushing, or holding.
- When jumping for a catch, nobody leans on or climbs over another player.
- Kick only foam balls, and never kick within 6 ft of another person.
- Respect the mark: opponents stay 6 ft away and do not interfere.
Variations
Easier
Allow throwing the ball within 15 ft, and a mark counts from 15 ft.
Standard
Handballs and kicks, 5 steps with the ball, and a mark at 25 ft.
Harder
Goals only count off a kick, and a mark requires a 40-ft kick.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student plays in a protected zone where nobody may tag them, and their handball counts toward a mark.
- Hearing impairment: a mark is also shown by raising an arm, and officials use flags.
- Lower skill: use a very soft foam ball and allow catching after one bounce.
Learning goals
- Perform the handball and kick passes used in Australian rules football.
- Catch a high ball while protecting your own space without contact.
- Compare this sport's rules with other oval-ball sports.
Equipment for a class of 25
- foam footballs: 6
- cones: 16
- poles: 8
- pinnies: 13
Teacher tip
The handball clicks quickly if you stress that the supporting hand does not throw the ball. Sketch the scoring system on the board before heading outside.
PatioLab has "No-Tackle Aussie Rules Football" and 3999 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More activities like this
More main activities for Middle School
1-2-3 Touch Cooperative Rally
Two groups of three, one on each side of the net, work together to keep the longest rally possible in three phases: one touch, two touches, and three touches per side.
1-on-1 Mini Volleyball Up and Down the River
One-on-one mini volleyball duels on 3 x 3 m courts under a rope 2 m high, using a receive, self-set and send rule.
1-on-1 Self-Pass Volleyball
One-on-one games on narrow 10 x 20 foot courts where each player must self-pass before sending the ball over.
1-on-1 Side-Step Square Duels
In pairs, inside 5 x 5 m squares, an attacker holding a football tries to get from the starting side to the far side without the defender pulling a flag.
1v1 Four-Gate Soccer Duels
In a square with a gate on each side, two players go head to head and score by dribbling through any of the four gates.
2-on-1 Fast Break with a Chasing Defender
Two attackers push a fast break against a defender waiting at the basket while a second defender chases from behind with a few yards' head start against them.