Every technique that makes Australian football unique — from the drop punt and chest mark to the don’t-argue and torpedo. The complete guide to the skills of the game.
Australian football demands the broadest skill set of any football code. Players must kick accurately over 50 metres, mark a ball above their head at full stretch, handball under pressure in traffic, tackle legally, and read the play — often within the same passage of play. Mastering these skills is the foundation of every successful footballer.
Skill development in Australian football typically progresses through three broad stages. In the early stage, players learn the basic movement patterns — how to grip the ball, where to make contact with the foot, and how to position the hands for a mark. Movements are often awkward and inconsistent at this point. In the intermediate stage, the player can perform the skill reliably under low pressure but still struggles when fatigued or closely opposed. At the advanced stage, execution becomes automatic — the player can perform the skill consistently under match-day pressure, adjusting technique instinctively to the demands of the moment.
Coaches accelerate learning by using the SPIR method: Show the skill (name it, demonstrate it, give no more than three teaching points), let players Practise immediately, Instruct by observing small groups and offering targeted feedback, then Reward effort and improvement. This cycle keeps training purposeful and players engaged.
Disposal skills are the methods by which a player legally moves the ball to a teammate. In Australian football there are only two legal disposals: the kick and the handball. Mastery of both is essential at every level of the game.
Kicking is the most important skill in Australian football. It is the primary method of scoring and the most effective way to move the ball over distance. A quality kick — whether a set shot for goal, a 50-metre pass to a leading target, or a snap under pressure — can change the course of a game.
The four critical elements of an effective kick are:
A quality drop punt will spin backwards and stay vertical, ensuring a consistent and predictable flight path. The ball should produce a distinctive thudding sound at impact, not a slapping noise. Players can use the look, feel, and sound of each kick as immediate self-feedback tools to refine technique between attempts.
The natural kicking action involves a slight leg swing around the body, which causes a right-footer’s kick to drift left to right and vice versa. This is natural and should not be corrected — it is effective provided the player accounts for it. Players with a straighter leg swing may find it easier to reproduce consistent impact.
The handball (or handpass) is a uniquely Australian football skill. The ball is held in the non-punching hand (the “platform hand”) and struck with the clenched fist of the other. It must visibly leave the hand — simply throwing or slapping the ball is an illegal disposal and results in a free kick to the opposition.
The key teaching points for an effective handball are:
At the elite level, handball is used to break tackles, switch play at speed, and maintain possession in tight clearances. Players must be able to handball effectively on both sides of the body and under intense physical pressure.
The ruck tap is a specialised disposal used by ruckmen at centre bounces, ball-ups, and boundary throw-ins. The ruckman leaps, times the ball at its highest point, and punches or palms it to a pre-arranged area where midfield teammates are positioned to receive. While technically a disposal, it is closer to a positional skill — the ruckman must direct the ball to the advantage of teammates while contested by an opponent.
Possession skills are used to gain or retain the ball. They don’t involve legal disposal but are just as important — you can’t kick or handball effectively if you can’t first win the football.
A mark is awarded when a player catches the ball cleanly from a kick that has travelled at least 15 metres without touching the ground or another player. It is one of the most celebrated skills in the game, especially the spectacular overhead or “specky” pack mark.
Key technique for marking:
Winning ground balls is often the difference between premiership contenders and the rest. The ball is oval and bounces unpredictably, making ground-ball technique critical.
A player running with the ball must bounce it every 15 metres. The ball is driven firmly towards the ground, ideally striking the point (end) of the ball so it bounces back straight. The player runs over the top of the ball and collects it on the rise. Mastering the running bounce allows a player to break lines and cover ground without having to handball or kick.
Evasion skills allow the ball-carrier to avoid or break tackles. The three primary evasion techniques are:
Australian football is a contact sport, and the ability to apply and absorb physical pressure legally is a fundamental part of the game. Contact skills protect the player using them while putting opponents under pressure.
A legal tackle involves wrapping both arms around the opponent who has the ball, between the shoulders and the knees. The tackled player must immediately attempt to dispose of the ball by kick or handball. If they fail to do so and had “prior opportunity” to dispose, a holding-the-ball free kick is paid against them.
Good tackling technique:
The bump is a legal form of contact where a player uses their hip and shoulder to knock an opponent off balance. It is only legal when the opponent has the ball or is within five metres of the ball. The bumping player must keep their feet on the ground and make contact with the side of their body — not the elbow, forearm, or head.
Bumping has become more restricted in the modern game due to player safety concerns, particularly around head contact. Players must be aware that any bump that results in high contact may attract a free kick or a report regardless of intent.
A shepherd is a legal block used to protect a teammate who has the ball or is about to receive it. The shepherding player positions their body between the opponent and their teammate, using their hip and shoulder to impede the opponent’s run. It is only legal within five metres of the ball.
A smother occurs when a player blocks an opponent’s kick at the point of impact by extending their hands or body over the kicking foot. It requires courage, timing, and anticipation. The hands should be brought together from hip level, close to the body, with arms extended at about 45 degrees over the boot. The player must keep their eyes on the ball at all times.
A spoil is used by a defender to prevent an opponent from marking the ball. Rather than attempting to mark it themselves, the spoiling player punches the ball away from the pack with a clenched fist. The key is to time the spoil to make contact with the ball — not the opponent — at the highest point of the contest. Players calling for a spoil should communicate to teammates so they can position accordingly.
Technical skill alone is not enough. The best players combine excellent technique with the ability to read the play and make good decisions under pressure. This is known as game sense — the ability to choose the right skill, at the right time, in the right space.
Game sense is best developed by playing small-sided games in training rather than isolated drills. When players are immersed in game-like situations, they are forced to think, assess options, and execute under realistic pressure. This approach — sometimes called “game-centred coaching” — produces more adaptable, creative footballers than rote technique sessions alone.
Coaches can develop game sense by modifying training games to emphasise particular themes: for example, restricting disposals to handball only to improve quick-hands decision-making, or reducing player numbers to increase one-on-one contests and pressure situations.
Ultimately, the best footballers are those who can perform all the skills described on this page and know instinctively when to use each one. That combination of skill and sense is what separates the good from the great.