AFL High Contact Rules: Head High Tackles and Strikes – A Troubleshooting Guide

Look, I'll be honest with you – AFL high contact rules can be an absolute minefield. Whether you're a new fan trying to figure out why that tackle resulted in a free kick, a local club player wondering why you keep giving away 50-metre penalties, or a junior coach trying to explain the rules to your under-12s, the head high stuff is where things get messy.

I've spent more hours than I care to admit watching replays of tackles, trying to work out what constitutes "high contact" versus "reasonable force." And I know I'm not alone. So let's cut through the confusion and get practical.

Common Problems with AFL High Contact Rules

Problem 1: You Can't Tell If a Tackle Is "High" or Not

Symptoms: You're watching a game, a tackle goes in, the umpire blows the whistle, and you have absolutely no idea why. Was it the height? The force? The way the player fell? Everyone around you seems to have an opinion, but you're just confused.

Causes: The AFL's high contact rules aren't just about where the tackle lands – they're about a combination of factors: the initial contact point, whether the player being tackled dropped their knees, whether the tackler had reasonable opportunity to avoid high contact, and the force used. It's a lot to process in real time.

Solution: Here's how to break it down:

1. Watch the initial contact point. If the tackler's first contact is above the shoulders of the player with the ball, it's likely high. But here's the catch – if the ball carrier drops their body height suddenly, the tackler might get leeway.
2. Look at the tackler's technique. A proper tackle should aim for the hips or waist. If a player is diving at the chest or shoulders, they're more likely to slip high.
3. Check for the "sliding" element. If a player slides in feet-first and makes high contact, that's almost always a free kick. The AFL has been cracking down on this for years.
4. Watch the replay. Honestly, even the best umpires get it wrong sometimes. If you're confused, wait for the slow-motion replay. It'll often show you exactly why the decision was made.

Pro tip: The most common mistake new fans make is thinking all high contact is the same. It's not. A tackle that makes incidental contact with the shoulder while the ball is being disposed is very different from a sling tackle that drives a player's head into the ground.

Problem 2: You Keep Getting Pinged for High Tackles in Your Local Games

Symptoms: You're playing local footy, you think you've laid a perfect tackle, and the umpire calls "high." It keeps happening, and you're starting to think the umpires have it in for you.

Causes: Most likely, you're either starting your tackle too high, or you're not adjusting when the ball carrier drops their body. In local footy, the umpires tend to be stricter about head-high contact because player safety is paramount at all levels.

Solution: Let's fix your technique:

1. Aim lower than you think you need to. Target the shorts or the thighs. If you aim for the waist, you'll often end up around the chest. Aim for the thighs, and you'll hit the hips – which is perfect.
2. Don't lunge. When you lunge at a player, you lose control of your body. If they suddenly change direction or drop their height, you're going high. Stay balanced and move your feet.
3. Use your arms properly. A common mistake is wrapping the arms around the shoulders or neck. Keep your arms low and wrap around the waist or thighs.
4. Practice the "chase and tackle" drill. Have a teammate run with a ball, and practice tackling them while staying low. Film it if you can. You'll be amazed at how often you think you're low but you're actually not.

When to seek guidance: If you're still getting pinged after working on your technique, ask your coach or a senior player to watch you in a training drill. Sometimes you need an external eye to spot the problem.

Problem 3: You Don't Understand the "Dangerous Tackle" Rule

Symptoms: You see a tackle that looks fine – it's not high, it's not late – but the umpire pays a free kick for a "dangerous tackle." What gives?

Causes: The AFL defines a dangerous tackle as one where the player being tackled is driven into the ground in a way that could cause injury, particularly head or neck injury. This often happens when a tackler slings or rotates the player so they land on their head or shoulders.

Solution: Here's what to look for:

1. Check if the player's feet leave the ground. If a tackler lifts the ball carrier off their feet and drives them into the ground, that's dangerous – regardless of where the initial contact was.
2. Look for the "sling" motion. If the tackler rotates the player's body while they're in the air, so they land awkwardly, that's a free kick.
3. Consider the speed of the tackle. A fast, aggressive tackle that ends with the player being dumped is more likely to be called dangerous than a controlled tackle that brings them to ground safely.
4. Watch for the "piggyback" tackle. This is when a tackler jumps on the back of a player and then drags them backwards. It looks dramatic, but it's actually quite safe because the player can brace themselves. The dangerous ones are when the player is driven forward or sideways into the ground.

Common mistake: Many fans think a dangerous tackle is only called when there's head contact. That's not true. A tackle that could cause head or neck injury – even if it doesn't – can still be penalized.

Problem 4: You're Confused About Strikes Versus Tackles

Symptoms: You see a player get hit in the head, and you assume it's a strike. But the umpire calls it a "high tackle" or vice versa. What's the difference?

Causes: The line between a strike (intentional high contact) and a high tackle (accidental high contact during a tackle) can be blurry. The key difference is intent and the action itself.

Solution: Here's how to tell them apart:

1. A strike is an open-handed hit or a closed fist. If a player swings their arm or hand and makes contact with the head, that's a strike. It doesn't matter if they were trying to spoil the ball or not – if the contact is to the head and it's not part of a legitimate tackle, it's a strike.
2. A high tackle is during a tackling motion. If a player is trying to tackle and their arm slips high, that's a high tackle – not a strike. The intent was to tackle, not to hit.
3. Look at the follow-through. In a strike, the arm or hand continues through the motion after contact. In a high tackle, the arms are usually already wrapped or attempting to wrap.
4. Check for the "shepherd" or "block" that goes wrong. Sometimes a player tries to block an opponent and catches them high. This is usually treated as a strike if it's intentional, or a free kick for high contact if it's accidental.

Important note: The AFL Match Review Panel takes strikes very seriously, especially if they're to the head. A strike can result in a suspension, while a high tackle usually just results in a free kick (unless it's particularly dangerous).

Problem 5: You Can't Figure Out the "Incidental Contact" Rule

Symptoms: You see a player get hit in the head, but the umpire waves play on. Everyone in the crowd is screaming, but the umpire seems to think it's fine. What's going on?

Causes: The AFL allows for "incidental" high contact – contact that happens as a byproduct of a legitimate football action, where the player making contact had no reasonable alternative.

Solution: Here's when incidental contact applies:

1. The player was contesting the ball. If two players are both going for a mark and their heads clash, that's incidental. No free kick.
2. The player was bracing for contact. If a player is about to be tackled and they brace themselves, causing their head to make contact with the tackler's shoulder, that's usually incidental.
3. The contact was minimal. A brush of the head during a spoil or a tackle that barely grazes the face is often let go.
4. The player being contacted contributed to the situation. If a player ducks their head into a tackle or drops their knees suddenly, the umpire might rule that they contributed to the high contact.

The tricky part: This is where umpiring becomes subjective. Two different umpires might see the same incident differently. The key is to look for whether the player making contact had a realistic alternative. If they could have avoided the head contact but didn't, it's a free kick.

Problem 6: You're Struggling to Explain the Rules to Young Players

Symptoms: You're coaching juniors, and the kids keep getting confused about what's allowed and what's not. They're either too scared to tackle or they're tackling too aggressively.

Causes: The AFL's high contact rules are complex, and kids learn best with simple, clear instructions. If you're trying to explain the nuances of "incidental contact" to an 8-year-old, you're going to lose them.

Solution: Here's how to teach it simply:

1. Use the "belt to shoulders" rule. Tell kids to aim their tackles between the belt and the shoulders. That gives them a clear target zone.
2. Teach the "no head zone." Explain that the head is off-limits. You don't touch it, you don't hit it, you don't grab it. Simple.
3. Use visual cues. Have them practice tackling a bag or a pad that has a marked "safe zone." It makes the concept concrete.
4. Emphasize safety over aggression. Kids often think a good tackle is a hard tackle. Teach them that a safe, controlled tackle that brings the player to ground is better than a wild, high tackle that could hurt someone.
5. Use the "traffic light" system. Green tackle (safe, low, controlled) = good. Yellow tackle (a bit high but not dangerous) = warning. Red tackle (high, dangerous, or to the head) = free kick and a talking to.

When to seek professional guidance: If you're coaching juniors and you're unsure about the rules, contact your local AFL development officer. They can run a rules education session for your club.

Problem 7: You're Not Sure How the Rules Apply in the Women's Game

Symptoms: You watch AFLW and notice that some tackles that would be free kicks in the men's game seem to be let go, and vice versa. Is there a different rulebook?

Causes: The AFLW uses the same rules as the AFL, but the interpretation can be slightly different. The women's game tends to have less force in tackles, which means some high contact that's deemed "incidental" in the men's game might be penalized in the women's game, and vice versa.

Solution: Here's what to look for:

1. The same rules apply, but the interpretation can vary. Umpires are often particularly vigilant about head-high contact in the women's game due to player safety concerns.
2. Watch for the "wrap" tackle. In AFLW, tackles that wrap the arms around the shoulders are more likely to be penalized because the force is lower and the tackler has more control.
3. Pay attention to the "sliding" rule. The AFLW has been very strict about sliding into contests, especially when it results in high contact.
4. Don't assume it's the same as the men's game. If you're new to watching AFLW, watch a few games and note the patterns. You'll quickly see where the umpires are focusing their attention.

Prevention Tips for Players and Coaches

1. Practice tackling technique every session. It's not just about being able to tackle – it's about tackling safely. Make it a non-negotiable part of training.
2. Use tackling bags and pads. They let you practice the motion without the risk of hurting a teammate.
3. Film your training. Watch yourself tackle. You'll often see things you didn't notice in the moment.
4. Communicate with umpires. If you're not sure why you got pinged, ask (respectfully). Most umpires are happy to explain.
5. Stay updated on rule changes. The AFL adjusts the interpretation of high contact rules regularly. Check the AFL website or your league's rules page before each season.

When to Seek Official Guidance

• If you're a coach: Contact your local AFL development officer for a rules education session.
• If you're a player: Talk to your coach or club captain if you're consistently getting penalized.
• If you're a parent: Reach out to your child's coach or the club's junior coordinator if you have concerns about safety.
• If you're an umpire: Attend AFL umpiring courses and stay updated on rule interpretations.

Look, AFL high contact rules are never going to be simple. There's always going to be a grey area, and there's always going to be a tackle that looks fine to one person and dangerous to another. But if you understand the basics – where to aim, what constitutes dangerous contact, and how the rules are interpreted – you'll be way ahead of the average fan.

And if you're still confused? That's okay. Even the professionals get it wrong sometimes. The key is to keep learning, keep watching, and keep asking questions. The more you engage with the game, the more you'll understand it.

Now get out there and enjoy the footy – just keep your tackles low and your head safe.

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For more on AFL rules, check out our guides on the 50-metre penalty and the sliding rules.