What other modified rules apply in Years 3-4 and Years 5-6?

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Accepted Answer

All matches are played under the AFL Laws of the Game with these changes (handbook sections 55 and 56): Rule Years 3-4 Years 5-6 Start of play Centre ball-up between two players of similar size; no taking full possession out of the ruck; max 3 players per team within 15 m of the ball-up Same Positions Soft zones reset at each stoppage; no permanent rucks or rovers Same Out of bounds Last Possession Rule: kick or handball out gives the nearest opponent a free kick; running it over the line likewise; off hands or body, ball-up 10 m in from the boundary; doubt gives a ball-up Same Marking A mark for any reasonable attempt at catching the ball, regardless of distance A mark for any kick that travels at least 10 m Bouncing Only once, after running 10 m Same Kicking off the ground Not allowed deliberately; accidental contact is play on Same Rushed behinds Deliberate rushed behinds do not apply Same Protected area 5 m 5 m 50 m penalty Umpire may award a 25 m penalty Same Scrimmage Umpire stops play and, with coaches in the box, has players reset positions before the ball-up Similar, with the coaches' help Boundary umpires are not used in Years 3-6 because of the Last Possession Rule. If a mixed year group competition is played, the lower year group's rules apply.

Rule	Years 3-4	Years 5-6
Start of play	Centre ball-up between two players of similar size; no taking full possession out of the ruck; max 3 players per team within 15 m of the ball-up	Same
Positions	Soft zones reset at each stoppage; no permanent rucks or rovers	Same
Out of bounds	Last Possession Rule: kick or handball out gives the nearest opponent a free kick; running it over the line likewise; off hands or body, ball-up 10 m in from the boundary; doubt gives a ball-up	Same
Marking	A mark for any reasonable attempt at catching the ball, regardless of distance	A mark for any kick that travels at least 10 m
Bouncing	Only once, after running 10 m	Same
Kicking off the ground	Not allowed deliberately; accidental contact is play on	Same
Rushed behinds	Deliberate rushed behinds do not apply	Same
Protected area	5 m