How does holding the ball work?

A player in possession of the ball must be given an opportunity to dispose of it before an opponent is rewarded for a legal tackle. The umpire pays a free kick for holding the ball when:

• Prior opportunity: the player had prior opportunity and does not correctly dispose of the ball immediately when legally tackled.
• Incorrect disposal: the player had no prior opportunity but elects to dispose of the ball incorrectly when tackled. It is not holding the ball if they genuinely attempt a correct disposal, or the tackle itself knocks the ball loose.
• No genuine attempt: the player had no prior opportunity, is able to dispose of the ball, but does not make a genuine attempt to do so within a reasonable time.
• Diving on the ball: the player dives on top of the ball, or drags it underneath their body, and does not immediately knock it clear or correctly dispose of it.

Source: Laws of Australian Football 2026, Law 18.6.