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
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
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
Examples of official tournaments held under these rules include:
