Field size, number of players and duration of play Rec Footy teams were much smaller than Australian Rules Football, with two teams of 8. Unlike Australian Rules Football, unlimited number of interchange players were allowed. The field is also much smaller than an Australian Rules Football oval, consisting of a rectangular surface with a maximum length of 100 metres by 50 metres wide. Games were much shorter and do not consist of quarters, with only two 20 minute halves.
Rule differences to encourage female participation The game encourages female participation, with a minimum of 3 female players per mixed side. In addition, teams were encouraged to play females in the forward line, with a goal kicked by a female worth 3 more points (9) than a goal kicked by a male player (6). The game is played with a modified Australian rules ball, which is the same size but prevents it from being kicked long distances to suit the reduced ground size and reduce the kicking advantage of males over females.
Rule differences to prevent physical contact Unlike Australian rules football, there is no contesting for possession with the exception of removing a player's tag, which substitutes for a
tackle and gives the player 3 seconds prior opportunity to dispose of the ball before the
holding the ball rule is applied. All
one percenters, such as sheparding, blocking, spoiling or smothering were strictly penalised with a free kick.
Marking contests were strictly enforced to avoid contact via a
drop-zone rule. When any contact is made by an opposition player, a free kick is awarded to the opposition player that is infringed. For deliberate contact, an immediate send-off rule applies and red and yellow cards were shown as in
soccer.
Other rule differences There is no minimum kick distance for a mark to be paid, although kicking off the ground (or "soccering") is strictly banned. A 15-metre penalty substitutes for a 50-metre penalty. If the ball it disposed of by a player and hits the ground, it is a free kick to the nearest opposition player. Although there is no
offside rule in Australian Football, Rec Footy restricts player movement to zones, similarly to
netball, and players wear netball like bibs to identify their position on the ground. In order to score from a rebound, the ball must be possessed by a player from each of the three zones, otherwise a free kick is paid to the nearest defender when it reaches the forward line. ==History==