For coaches of AFL community football teams in Under 9 to Under 12, 2026 season. Covers players on the ground, ground sizes, tackling, zones, rotation, scoring and ladders, playing up or down, and coach eligibility.
From the AFL Junior Rules Handbook (ground sizes are length x width in metres):
| Age | On the ground per team | Maximum squad | Ground size | Maximum ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 9 | 9 | 12 | 85 x 65 | 100 x 80 |
| Under 10 | 12 | 15 | 85 x 65 | 100 x 80 |
| Under 11 | 12 | 15 | 115 x 75 | 130 x 90 |
| Under 12 |
| 12 |
| 15 |
| 115 x 75 |
| 130 x 90 |
Age groups should be single years where possible, with a two-year span (Under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18) as the second option.
Spectators stay on the outer side of the field of play, and only team-listed officials are allowed on the field.
All matches are four quarters (Junior Rules Handbook).
| Age | Quarter length | Total play time | Breaks | Ball |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 9 | 12 minutes | 48 minutes | 5, 8 and 5 minutes | Size 2, synthetic |
| Under 10 | 12 minutes | 48 minutes | 5, 8 and 5 minutes | Size 2, synthetic |
| Under 11 | 15 minutes | 60 minutes | 5, 10 and 5 minutes | Size 3, synthetic or leather |
| Under 12 | 15 minutes | 60 minutes | 5, 10 and 5 minutes | Size 3, synthetic or leather |
The three break times are quarter time, half time and three quarter time.
Under 9 and Under 10: modified tackling.
Under 11 and Under 12: full tackling and bumping.
Contact is introduced gradually so children learn in a safe environment. Mouthguards are strongly recommended at all levels of football, and a custom made one gives the best protection (a boil and bite one is better than none).
At every age from Under 9 to Under 12:
The 2026 National Community Football Policy Handbook adds a coach duty: a coach of junior football must use best endeavours to make sure every player plays at least 50 per cent of the match.
Example: in a 4 x 12 minute Under 10 match (48 minutes of play), a 50 per cent minimum means each player is on the ground for at least 24 minutes.
Rep (representative) teams are not part of the handbook for any of these ages.
| Age | Bounces | Marking | Kicking off the ground |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 9 | 1 maximum | Any distance; the player must show control of the ball | Not permitted |
| Under 10 | 1 maximum | Any distance; the player must show control of the ball | Not permitted |
| Under 11 | 1 maximum | A direct catch of a kick that travels 10 metres | Not permitted |
| Under 12 | 1 maximum | A direct catch of a kick that travels 10 metres | Not permitted |
Head coach eligibility (2026 National Community Football Policy Handbook): for Under 9 to Under 12 a head coach must be 15 or older in the year before the playing year, which means turning 16 in the playing year. A head coach under 18 must have an adult assistant coach over 18. An assistant coach must be 12 or older in the year before the playing year. Coaches must also be accredited, which means registering on the Coach Learning Platform, completing the training and holding a current working with children check (or equivalent).
Where the coach stands (Junior Rules Handbook):
Runner: a runner is permitted for Under 10, Under 11 and Under 12, but not for Under 9.
Playing time: the handbook also says a coach of junior football must use best endeavours to make sure every player plays at least 50 per cent of the match.
Age groups are set by the age a player turns in the playing year (2026 National Community Football Policy Handbook):
A player must also be seven by a cut-off date that depends on the state: 1 January (Tasmania), 30 April (South Australia, Victoria), 30 June (Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia) or 31 July (ACT, New South Wales).
Playing up: a controlling body (the league or association running the competition) may let a player join a higher age group only where it finds exceptional and compelling circumstances. It must weigh the player's physical capacity, experience, skill level and social maturity.
Playing down: only through an age dispensation application. It is for a disability or physical size considerations, goes through the club to the controlling body, needs a parent or guardian's written consent, and needs a certificate from a medical specialist completed within the previous three months.
Mercy rule: the AFL encourages leagues, clubs and coaches to apply a mercy rule once a team has an unassailable lead (the handbook's example is 60 points). The point is that heavy losses serve no purpose. The exact rule is set to suit the local competition.
Season length (games per season in the national handbook):
Rep teams: the handbook lists none for Under 9 to Under 12.