Laws of Australian football 1858-1896
| Year | Laws | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 1859 |  Rules of the Melbourne Football Club | Original laws |
| 1860-65 | Melbourne rules of football | Law 3 amended to allow a goal to be awarded if a ball was forced through in a scrimmage. Law 7 amended to completely prohibit tripping and holding. Pushing a player in motion remained allowable. Law 8 Amended to state that the ball not be run with in any case. Law 11 was added to allow for umpires to be appointed. If they were not captains could appeal for free kicks and adjudge accordingly. |
| 1866-73 | Victorian rules of football | First major re-writing of the original laws. Distance between goals limited to no more than 200 yards and width reduced to no more than 150 yards Distance between goal posts set at 7 yards. Side losing toss kicks off from the centre to begin match. Side conceding a goal kicks off from centre Sides change ends after each goal. Goals still able to be forced from a scrimmage but no longer with hand or arm. Five yard area of protection for mark or free kick introduced Players were allowed to pick up the ball. Holding permitted if a player is in possession of the ball. Players running need to bounce the ball every 5-6 yards. Allowance was made for each side to appoint an umpire and the closest umpire to any infringement would adjudicate |
| 1874-76 | Victorian rules of football | Introduction of halftime (umpire to throw ball up to start second half and teams to change ends). Concept of a kick being contact below the knee introduced. A goal may only be scored when the ball is kicked - not forced in any way. When a player was held he must immediately drop the ball which could not be picked up again until kicked. 'Rabbiting' prohibited. A ball thrown in from out of bounds must strike the ground before being played. Any player now able to appeal for a breach of the rules Provision for goal umpires to decide goals and behinds to be appointed - one from each club. Provision for a field umpire to be appointed to decide all other decisions. Field umpire able to consult goal umpire if unsure of any decision. Definitions of various types of kick introduced. |
| 1877-79 |  Rules of the VFA | Rules for the first season of the VFA. Minimum height of goal posts proscribed (12 feet). No.2 rugby ball to be used (26 inches in circumference). Provision for a goal to be awarded if blocked by a spectator. Goal umpires to be sole judges of scores Kick off distance from goal line after behind scored reduced to 10 yards. Slinging prohibited. A player may be pushed if within 5-6 yards of the ball Field umpire specifically directed to throw the ball in after it goes out-of-bounds. Closest player to infringement to take free kick. Concept of "Play on" after appeal for free kick introduced Throw up to clear scrimmages introduced Dangerous footwear prohibited. VFA player transfer rules included |
| 1880-83 | Rules of the VFA | Goal line defined as line between the two kick off posts Number of players on each team limited to 20. Sides found with more to have all goals scored annulled Team scoring most goals to be the winner Duration of match to be pre-arranged and not to be changed except by weather. Match to be drawn if incomplete by decision of umpire or captains Goal umpire able to consult field umpire if unsure of score. Goal umpires not specifically from each club Codification that ball kicked off from centre after each goal Player wilfully kicking the ball behind his own goal line, ball to be thrown in by field umpire from the place it crossed the goal line Ball must be touched to the ground every seven yards VFA transfer regulations amended Definitions rabbiting and slinging added. |
| 1884-85 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Minimum height of goal posts increased to 20 feet Duration of match not to be changed except by captains agreeing. If captains disagree field umpire to decide Result of spectator intrerference to be decided by goal umpire Specific law that ball hitting any post defined as behind. Free kick against a player who deliberatley touches the ball before it touches ground following a throw in Tackling below the knee prohibited Deliberate kicking out of bounds from the kick-in after behind penalised with a free kick. Method of appointing field umpires proscribed. VFA transfer regulations amended |
| 1886 | Laws of the Australian national game of football | Introduction of four quarters with breaks between each and teams to change ends Half time limited to 10 minutes Distance of kick for mark extended to 5 yards Requirement for 'rapid motion' removed prior to pushing being allowed. Replaced by 'running' player Provision for no more than four boundary umpires upon agreement of captains. Removal of the appeal to umpires by players. Mandatory for umpires to enforce laws as written. Kicking the ball out of play deliberately extended to anywhere on the field Gutta perch and spikes now legal on boots Procedural change to disbandment of clubs |
| 1887-88 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Behind posts to be 10 yards from goal posts Fine introduced for playing more than 20 men Introduction of a timekeeper Match cancellation to require written consent of permit committee Length of halves determined by month match is played Goal umpire decisions to be final Introduction of flags to indicate scores Introduction of a kick off line 10 yards in front of goal line Distance of kick for mark returned to 2 yards Undue interference with a player who has marked and pushing in back prohibited under all circumstances. infringers reported to association Provision for boundary umpires removed Bounce rather than throw-up to clear scrimmages introduced Penalty for paying players introduce Player transfer rules amended. Penalty for illegally obtaining a permit Club disbandment date changed to 1 July Attempting to sling (neck) prohibited |
| 1889-90 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Fine for too many players made optional Provision for team to complete full 20 players at any stage Kick-off from centre to begin match must travel 20 yards in the direction of the opponents goal Bell may be substituted by an alarm clock or other apparatus Provision for field umpire to report result of match to association Provision for a draw if match incomplete due to weather Length of May, June and July matches reduced Length of season delineated Goal umpires to notify field umpires of decision before waving flags No longer required to kick in line with goals after marking Field bounce if player takes too long to kick after a mark or a behind Disqualification for offences against other players, umpires or disputing umpire decisions Player transfer rules amended. Association able to disqualify players for offences Associations to support the decisions of all other associations |
| 1891 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Introduction of field umpire bounce to commence match, after each break and after each goal Teams with more than 20 players fine removed. |
| 1892 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Behind posts to be seven yards distant from goal posts. Additional players penalty only applicable if detected duing match Players required to start match and recommence after goals in allocated positions Bell now to be approved by Association. Introduction of score counting from mark or kick taken prior to the sounding of the bell Adverse weather may affect match Captains consent required for match to be cancelled prior to start as well as stopped during progress Matches played in 4x25 minute quarters. Goal umpires now to consult with field umpires prior to waving flags Ball bounced in centre of ground following a goal Kick off from behind reduced to seven yards in front of goal line Proscription of bounce five yards from goal line for ball wilfully forced behind Bounce five yards in play replaces throw in after ball goes out of bounds Players again required to kick in line with goals after marking or free kick and area of protection limited to four yards Undue delay in kicking off to result in a bounce Pushing a player while in the air for a mark or from the front while standing prohibited. Charging or throwing a player after a mark prohibited; Offences against any player when the ball is out of play prohibited and now mandatory reports Players to be reported for unduly rough play Extension of umpire protection to any time of the day of the match or the enclosure of the ground Foul language a reportable offence Field umpire to formally examine boots prior to match. Detection of infringements during match penalised by disqualification from match Hacking defined Umpire duites clause revised Player permit laws revised |
| 1893-96 | Laws of the Australian game of football | Provision for formally counting players on the field Clarification of communication between field and goal umpires Ball kicked in beyond the seven yard line results in bounce at seven yard mark Play on if player bounces the ball after a mark Mark may be taken regardless of distance of kick Goal to count if scored despite infringement of opposing player after shot at goal Any pushing offence now reportable Deliberately charging or throwing a player prohibited. Offences now also applicable when ball is out of play. Extension of umpire protection anywhere on the day of the match; verbal abuse now also reportable. Players now to be reported for abusive language to another player at anywhere in the ground on the day of the match Umpire instruction section removed Player touting section incorporated into new player permit section |