Equipment regulations, the stretcher rule, injury-preventing disposal, and the blood rule. How the 2026 Laws protect the physical wellbeing of every player on the ground.
Football has always been physical, but the Laws of Australian Football contain detailed provisions aimed at protecting player welfare — from what you can wear on the field, to how bleeding is managed, to the duty of care owed by every participant.
Law 9 governs what players may and may not wear on the field. The core principle is safety: anything that could cause injury to the wearer or an opponent is prohibited.
Players must not wear boots with metal stops, sprigs, or studs that are not completely moulded to the boot. Any stud or sprig must be made of soft rubber or approved plastic. Hard, sharp, or protruding materials are banned outright.
Jewellery of any kind — including rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings — must be removed before taking the field. If a player cannot remove an item, it must be taped securely so it cannot cause injury. Watches, including smartwatches, are not permitted during play.
Any protective equipment (helmets, shin guards, padded vests) must be approved by the controlling body before use. The Laws make clear that protective equipment must genuinely protect the wearer and must not provide any unfair advantage or pose a risk to opponents.
Law 7.3 governs the use of stretchers during a match. When a player is injured and cannot leave the ground under their own power, a stretcher (or motorised cart) is permitted to enter the playing surface to remove them. The umpire must be satisfied the injury is genuine. A replacement player may enter the field once the stretcher has left the interchange area, ensuring the team is not disadvantaged numerically.
Law 20.6 addresses a specific welfare situation: when a player is awarded a mark or free kick but is suffering from an injury that prevents them from disposing of the football. In this case, the nearest player from the same team kicks the ball from the location of the mark or free kick. This provision prevents an injured player from being forced to kick when doing so could worsen their condition.
Law 24 is one of the most detailed provisions in the entire Laws document, running across multiple sub-sections. Its purpose is clear: protect every player, umpire, and official from the risk of blood-borne infection.
"Active Bleeding" means the existence of an injury or wound which continues to bleed. It does not include minor bleeding from a graze or scratch which has abated and can be readily removed from a player or their uniform (Law 24.1).
A player who is actively bleeding must leave the playing surface immediately. The field umpire stops play at the first available opportunity and directs the player to leave through the interchange area. The player cannot re-enter the match until:
A player directed to leave for active bleeding may be replaced by another player listed on the team sheet. The replacement can enter the playing surface while the bleeding player is leaving — the swap does not count against the team's normal interchange usage (Law 24.3.3). If the replacement has not entered by the time the bleeding player has left, the umpire restarts play immediately.
If a player has blood on their body or uniform but is not actively bleeding, the umpire signals the player to have the blood cleaned or the uniform replaced at the earliest opportunity. Play continues in the meantime. However, if after treatment the umpire still sees blood, the player is deemed to be actively bleeding and Law 24.3 applies in full (Law 24.4).
A player who refuses to leave the playing surface when directed by the umpire for active bleeding faces escalating consequences under Law 24.3.4: a warning, then a free kick to the opposing team, and finally — if they still refuse — a report for misconduct, immediate end to the match, and forfeiture.
The Laws impose strict hygiene requirements. All doctors, trainers, and persons treating bleeding players must wear protective gloves (Law 24.9). Bloodied uniforms and materials must be placed in hygienic sealed containers and discarded or laundered immediately (Law 24.10). Dressing rooms must be cleaned of any blood contact immediately after the match (Law 24.11).