AFL Glossary - Key Terms & Aussie Rules Slang
- Numbers
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
This AFL glossary covers key terms and Aussie slang, so those who are new to AFL can get a better understanding of what is going on.
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Numbers
1-2: This term refers to a quick exchange where a player handpasses the ball to a teammate, who then gives it right back.
6-6-6 rule: Introduced in 2019, this rule requires teams to line up with six players in the defensive area, six in the middle, and six in the forward area before a centre bounce.
50-metre penalty: If a player commits an infringement after a mark or free kick is awarded, the team in possession can advance the ball up to 50 meters towards the goal without stopping (for example, if a player argues with the umpire or crosses the line during a mark).
A
Advantage: The game keeps going if the team awarded the free kick has an opportunity, instead of stopping play to take the kick.
AFL: Short for 'Australian Football League.'
After the siren goal: A goal that is scored after the final siren sounds, typically referring to those scored at the end of the game.
All-Australian: A designation for a player selected among the top 26 players (22 on the field and 4 on the bench) during the home and away season.
ANZAC Day: An annual match held between Essendon Football Club and Collingwood Football Club at the MCG on April 25th, commemorating ANZAC Day.
B
Ball: Shouted by fans when calling for the holding the ball rule to be enforced by the umpires.
Ball magnet: A term used to describe a player who consistently gathers a significant number of disposals throughout a match or season.
Ball Up: When the umpire tosses the ball into the air at a stoppage anywhere on the field.
Banana: A kick made off the side of the foot that causes the ball to curve in the air.
Barrel: A kicking style that rotates the ball around its axis, often used for long-distance kicks.
Behind: A score worth one point, achieved when the ball passes between the goal and behind posts or is touched before going over the line.
Bench: The area for player interchanges during the match, with four players allowed on the bench.
Big Dance: A colloquial term for the AFL Grand Final.
Blinder: A term used to describe a player who is performing exceptionally well in a game.
Blind Turn: A maneuver where a player spins 360 degrees to evade a tackle.
Block: To impede or hinder an opponent's advance towards the ball, often considered illegal during a marking contest.
Boundary: The line surrounding the oval that defines the playing field.
Brownlow: An award given to the best and fairest player in the league during the home and away season is the Brownlow Medal.
Bump: When a player makes contact with an opposing player using their shoulder or hip.
C
Centre Bounce: The bounce that marks the beginning of play after a goal is scored or to start a quarter.
Centre Square: The 50-meter square located in the center of the field.
Charlie: A colloquial term for the Brownlow.
Checkside: A kick made off the side of the boot that causes the ball to curve in the opposite direction.
Clanger: A term used to describe a clear, unforced mistake made by a player.
Clearance: The act of getting the ball out of a stoppage.
Coast-to-Coast: When a team quickly moves the ball from one end of the field to the other, usually resulting in a goal.
Coathanger: A dangerous high contact situation where a player uses a stiff arm to hit an opponent.
Coleman: An award given to the player who scores the most goals during the home and away season.
Contested Possession: A possession gained during a contest for the ball.
Corridor: The area directly through the center of the field.
Crumb: When a smaller player retrieves the ball after it has fallen to the ground following a marking contest.
D
Deliberate: A free kick awarded when a player intentionally knocks the ball out of play.
Derby: A match between two local rivals.
Diehard: A passionate fan.
Disposal: When a player successfully kicks or handballs the ball.
Don’t Argue: When a player uses a stiff arm and an open hand to fend off an opponent.
Down the Line: When the attacking team moves the ball along the boundary line, typically with a long kick.
Dreamtime at the G: The annual match between Essendon and Richmond during Indigenous round, celebrating the contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to AFL.
Dribble: A kick that rolls along the ground, usually in one direction.
Drop Kick: A kick where the ball touches the ground before being struck by the kicker’s foot.
Drop Punt: A kick that strikes the bottom of the ball, causing it to spin backwards. This is the most commonly used kicking technique.
Duck: When a player intentionally lowers their head or shoulders to draw a high-contact free kick.
Dummy: When a player pretends to handpass or kick to better evade an opponent.
Dynasty: A team that secures multiple premierships in a short span, often in consecutive seasons.
E
Evade: When a player uses their body to dodge a tackle.
F
Falcon: When the ball accidentally strikes you in the face.
Fat Side: The side of the field with the most open space and the fewest players.
Fifty: A shorthand term for a 50-meter penalty.
Final Siren: The siren that signals the end of the match.
Finals: The knockout series featuring the top eight teams from the home and away season to decide the season’s champion.
Flag: A shorthand term for the "premiership flag."
Flanks: The areas of the oval located between the wings and the forward/back pockets.
Flood: To position a large number of players ahead of the ball.
Follower: A position that begins in the center of the ground, focused on winning the ball from a clearance.
Footy: The ball used in Aussie Rules football.
G
Goal: The highest score achieved by kicking the ball between the two large upright posts.
Goalsquare: The small square area that starts from the goal line on either side of the field.
Grand Final: The championship match at the end of the finals series to decide the premiers.
Granny: A colloquial term for the ‘Grand Final.’
Guernsey: The jersey worn during the match.
Guts: A slang term referring to the center of the field.
H
Hammy: A casual term for your hamstring (e.g., ‘he’s pulled a hammy’).
Handball: The action of using your fist to hit the ball to a teammate.
Hanger: To take an amazing mark over an opponent.
Hard Ball Get: To secure a possession in a contested situation.
Hard Nut: A player known for their toughness and bravery.
High Contact: A free kick awarded when a player is tackled or hit above the shoulders.
Hip-and-Shoulder: Another way to describe a bump.
Hit the Post: When the ball strikes the two large upright posts during a shot on goal.
Hitout: Being the first player to tap or knock the ball away from the ruck contest.
Holding the Ball: A free kick given when a player illegally disposes of the ball while being tackled.
Holding the Man: A free kick awarded for holding or tackling an opponent who does not have the ball.
Home-and-Away Season: The regular 23-round season that determines the standings for the finals series.
Hospital Pass: A handball or kick to a teammate that puts them in a vulnerable position to be tackled.
Hot Spot: A term used to refer to the area at the top of the goal square.
Huddle: When players come together before the game, at quarter-time, and at three-quarter-time.
I
Inside 50: To pass or move the ball into the forward 50.
Intercept: To turn the ball over from an opposition pass.
Interchange: The bench that consists of four players in constant rotation throughout the match.
In the Back: A free kick awarded when an opponent pushes you from behind or falls into your back during a tackle.
J
Jumper: The playing shirt worn during the match.
Jumper Punch: When you punch a player while holding onto their jumper (typically around the collar).
K
Key Position: Key positions include full forward, centre forward, centre half-back, and full-back. These roles are usually filled by taller players.
Kick In: The act of returning the ball into play after a point has been scored.
L
Ladder: The ranking of teams based on their win/loss records and percentage.
Lead: When a player runs towards the ball carrier to receive a pass.
Legged: To be tackled below the knees, resulting in a free kick.
Long Bomb: To kick the ball as far as possible.
Lower the Eyes: To kick the ball to a teammate on a lead who is closer to you, rather than aiming for the furthest teammate.
M
Major: Another term for a goal.
Man-on-Man: A traditional tactic where players mark their opponents directly.
Mark: To catch the ball from a kick that has traveled at least 15 meters. You can then stop and take an unimpeded kick.
Metres Gained: The total distance a player advances the ball during their possession.
Midfield: The area of the field between the two 50-meter arcs.
Minor: A slang term for scoring one point.
Minor Premiers: The team that finishes at the top of the ladder at the end of the home-and-away season.
N
Norm Smith: The award given to the best player in the Grand Final.
Nuffy: Someone who lacks knowledge about AFL and often speaks without understanding.
O
Omitted: To be left out of the playing squad even though not injured or suspended.
On the Ball: A player who operates in the midfield and follows the ball around the field.
On the Mark: The defensive player who stands where an offensive player has marked the ball, unable to move from that position.
One Percenter: The small defensive actions (like bumping, shepherding, or smothering).
Out on the Full: To kick the ball out of bounds over the boundary line without it bouncing.
Out the Back: When a player positions themselves to receive a pass or wait for the ball to drop behind a contest.
P
Pack: A group of players coming together to attempt to take a mark.
Pick-Up: To smoothly lift the ball off the ground.
Play On: A signal from the umpire indicating it's time to advance the ball or move away from the line of your mark.
Pocket: The areas located in the corners of the 50m arcs on the field.
Possession: Another way to refer to a disposal.
Premiers: The team that emerges victorious in the Grand Final.
Premiership Quarter: A term used to describe the third quarter of the game.
Protected Zone: The imaginary area that opponents cannot enter around a player who has taken or marked a free kick.
Q
Q-Clash: The match between the two Queensland teams, Brisbane and Gold Coast.
R
Rebound: To transition the ball from the defensive half of the field to the forward half.
Reigning Premiers: The latest team to claim the premiership title.
Reserves: The reserves team, also known as the 2nd’s.
Reported: When a player commits an action that leads to a potential suspension.
Rookie: A player on an AFL roster who can only participate in the top league if they are filling in for a long-term injured or retired player.
Rotation: A scheduled interchange.
Run-and-Carry: To run while carrying the ball up the field instead of passing it right away.
Runner: A club official who enters the field to relay instructions from the coaching staff to players.
Rushed: When a defensive player allows a behind (one point) to be scored.
S
Sausage Roll/Snag: A term used to refer to a goal.
Screamer: To take an amazing mark (speccy).
Selling Candy: When a player shows the opposition the ball by moving their arm in one direction but then goes in the opposite direction.
September: The month when the finals series takes place (“September football,” “to play in September”).
Set Shot: To stop in place and take an unobstructed kick at goal.
Shank: A term for a poorly directed kick.
Shepherd: When a teammate protects the ball carrier by using their arms as a shield to block other players from tackling them.
Sherrin: Another name for the ball, also the brand that manufactures the balls.
Showdown: The match played between the two South Australian teams (Adelaide and Port Adelaide).
Sledge: To engage in trash talk with an opponent.
Sling Tackle: To throw an opponent to the ground during a tackle.
Smother: To block the ball.
T
Tackle: A physical action used to stop an opponent from getting rid of the ball.
Tagger: A player assigned to closely follow and neutralize an opponent.
The Footy: Slang for an AFL game or the ball.
U
Umpire – The official who oversees the match and enforces the rules.
V
VFL: Victorian Football League, the competition that existed before the AFL.
W
Winger: A player positioned on the outer parts of the midfield.
Wrap-Up: To tackle or wrap up an opponent during a tackle.
