Year

AFL Rule/Interpretation

USAFL

Explanation and Rationale

2025

Out of Bounds

Yes

Law 8.2.3 is amended to add paragraph (b) providing that if the ball touches an umpire or any official and, in the umpire’s opinion, the ball would have continued out of bounds if it had not touched the umpire or official, then the ball is either out of bounds or out of bounds on the full, whichever would apply.

2025

Prohibited Contact

Yes

A new law 16.4 provides that if the attacking team receives a free kick before the ball crosses the goal line or behind line on the full or hits the attacking team’s goal posts on the full, then the attacking team must choose whether to take the score or retake the kick from where the infringement occurred. If the ball does not cross the goal line or behind line or hit the attacking team’s goal posts on the full, then the free kick is taken in accordance with law 18.3.3, i.e., where the free kick occurs or where the ball lands, whichever is the greater penalty to the offending team.

2025

Rough Conduct (Spirit and Intention)

Yes

Law 18.7.2 is amended to strike the words “which is likely to cause injury.” The law now reads: “Players shall be protected from unreasonable conduct from an opposition player.”

2025

Rough Conduct (Free Kicks)

Yes

Law 18.7.2(e) is added providing that a free kick is awarded against a player making high contact to an opponent (including the top of the shoulders) with any part of their body, unless the player was contesting the ball and it was reasonable for the player to contest the ball in that way or unless the forceful contact was caused by circumstances outside the control of the player which could not be reasonably foreseen.

2025

Reportable Offenses (Clarification)

Yes

Law 22.2.1(b) is added providing that, notwithstanding any other provision in the laws, in all circumstances a player owes a duty of care to all other players, umpires, and other persons (as applicable): (i) not to engage in conduct which will constitute a reportable offense being committed against that other player, umpire or other person; and (ii) to take reasonable care to avoid acts which can be reasonably foreseen to result in a reportable offense.

2025

Reportable Offenses (Specific Offenses)

Yes

Laws 22.2.2(q) is merged with Law 22.2.2(s) and the former now reads “Engaging in a melee or wrestling with another person.” The numbering of all subsequent offenses is revised accordingly.

2024

Smothering

Yes

Where a player elects to leave the ground in an attempt to smother the ball, any reasonably foreseeable high contact with an opponent that is at least Low Impact will be deemed to be Careless at a minimum, unless the player has taken all reasonable steps to avoid that high contact and/or minimize its (e.g., by adopting a body position that minimizes the force of the high contact). 

2024

Run Down Tackles

Yes

This interpretation reflects concern about run-down tackles where the tackling player significantly contributed to the force with which the tackled player is driven to ground. The AFL has amended the Guidelines to state that there may be types of run-down tackles that are dangerous, and which constitute a

Reportable Offence (i.e. run down tackles where the tackled player is driven into the ground with excessive force).

2024

Striking

Yes

The AFL seeks to increase the onus on players to not commit a strike even when seeking to fend and push their opponent. Where a player intends to forcefully push or fend an opposition player off the ball (including to gain separation for the purpose of contesting the ball) and the effect is that the player “strikes” their opponent, the strike will usually be graded as Intentional rather than Careless.

2024

Ruck Contests

Yes

The AFL has changed the interpretation of Law 18.4 to permit straight arm blocks in a ruck contest, provided the player still contests the ball. 

2023

Set Shot for Goal

Yes

Umpires will alert players at the 15-second mark of a set shot. Players are allowed 30 seconds to start their set shot approach. There is no reason for the USAFL not to adopt this interpretation.

2023

Entering Protected Area

Yes

The AFL requires that a player losing a marking contest or giving away a free kick must stand the mark or immediately leave the protected area. This interpretation should also be adopted.

2023

Move to Handball

No

The AFL interprets the Standing the Mark rule (see below) so that a 50m penalty will not be paid where a player fakes a handball to make the player on the mark move before play on is called. As the USAFL is not adopting the Standing the Mark rule, umpires will penalize defenders only if they encroach over the mark before the umpire calls play on.

2022

Player “Dissent”

No

The AFL has, as a point of emphasis, used a 50m penalty for demonstrative player dissent, including pointing towards scoreboard replays. Umpires in the USAFL can use existing rules and interpretations to penalize player behavior that is abusive, delays the game, or otherwise contravenes existing rules.

2021

Limit of 75 Total Player Interchanges per Match

No

This rule does not apply to USAFL games where interchanges are not limited.

2021

Mark set at 15m from center of the top of the goal square at Kick-Ins

Yes

The USAFL adopted the previous rule change moving the Mark to 10m from the center of the top of the goal square and there is no reason not to adopt this change. 

2021

Three Players to be Stationed

Inside 50 Meters at Each Stoppage

No

This rule addresses specific AFL considerations and resources. As such, there is no reason for the USAFL to adopt it.

2021

Standing the Mark

No

The AFL is interpreting this rule to require the opponent on the mark to remain stationary until the umpire calls “play on.” This interpretation addresses a specific AFL concern with the pace of the game, scoring, and defensive tactics and has been viewed as difficult to administer in the USAFL where players and umpires are often inexperienced.

*Revised to “No” May 2024, as per USAFL direction*

2020

Team Officials and Team

Runners

No

This rule specifies when team officials may enter the playing surface. USAFL games are played in summer and at the community level, so Water Runners are allowed on the field provided they do not interfere with the game or carry messages. Team Runners may enter at any time to deliver a message and return to the boundary, provided they do not interfere with the game. They may not be in the 50m arc at a Kick-In.

2020

Starting Positions

No

This rule implements a “traditional” set up at center bounces requiring each team to have six players inside the 50m arcs, including one in the goal square. This rule is viewed as impractical to implement in the USAFL where games are often played with fewer than 18 players on each team and/or with one field umpire.

2020

Kicking for Goal Post-Siren

No

This interpretation allowed a player awarded a Mark or Free Kick before the siren to use a Snap or Check-side kick for goal. This interpretation is viewed as to difficult to administer in the USAFL.

2020

Procedure After a Behind Has

Been Scored

Yes

The Mark at a Kick-In is set 10m from the center of the top of the goal square, though for USAFL metro games, the distance may still be set at 5m. A player need not kick to himself to play on out of the goal square. A player who plays on from the goal square and kicks out of bounds without the ball being touched is not penalized for “out on the full” but may be penalized for “deliberate out of bounds” if appropriate.

2020

50m Penalty

No

This interpretation allows the player with the ball to play on during the advancement of the mark. This interpretation is viewed as impractical to implement in the USAFL.

2019

Marks/Free Kicks

Yes

For all Defenders who take a Mark or are awarded a Free Kick within 9m of the goal line or reasonably close to the behind post, the Mark is set in line with the top of the goal square. There is no reason for the USAFL not to adopt this rule.

2019

Umpire Contact

Yes

Players are prohibited from setting up behind the Umpire at each Center Bounce. This rule is desirable in the interests of umpire safety.

2019

Marking Contest

Yes

The “hands in the back” interpretation is repealed, allowing a Player to place his hands on an opponent’s back to protect his position in a Marking contest, but not to push the opponent in the back. There is no reason for the USAFL not to adopt this interpretation.

2019

Ruck Contests/Prior

Opportunity

Yes

A Ruck Player who takes possession of the ball while contesting a bounce, throw up, or boundary throw in will not be regarded as having had Prior Opportunity. Where there is uncertainty as to who is the designated Ruck, the Ruck for each team will continue to nominate to the field umpire. There is no reason for the USAFL not to adopt this interpretation.

2018

Kick-In After Goal Umpire

Signal

No

This rule permits an immediate Kick-In after the Goal Umpire signals a behind (one raised index finger). This rule is viewed as impractical in the USAFL where games are often played with non-accredited Goal Umpires. Players must wait for the flags to be waved.

2018

Advantage Rule

No

The AFL allows a Player’s choice to be considered in applying the rule. This is viewed as difficult to administer in the USAFL where players and umpires are often inexperienced. The field umpire will continue to have sole discretion to award advantage.

2018

Deliberate Rushed Behind

No

The AFL interpretation allows a Free Kick to be awarded when a Player, not under pressure or close to goal deliberately knock or take the ball over the goal line. This is viewed as difficult to administer in the USAFL where players and umpires are often inexperienced.