The kick-in after a behind is one of those moments in footy that looks simple but has plenty of detail to understand. You've got your defenders lining up, your forwards setting zones, and somewhere in the middle, someone's trying to work out if they can actually take the kick themselves or if they need to wait for the umpire to wave those flags.
If you've ever watched an AFL game and wondered why some kick-ins happen instantly while others take an eternity—or if you're a grassroots player trying to figure out why your coach keeps yelling "MAN THE MARK!"—this one's for you.
By the end of this article, you'll understand what the kick-in rules are, how to execute them properly, and what strategies are commonly used at different levels of the game. Let's get into it.
What You'll Need Before We Start
Before we dive into the step-by-step, here's what you should have sorted:
- A basic understanding of AFL scoring (you know the difference between a goal and a behind)
- A footy (preferably a Sherrin, but whatever you've got will do)
- A set of goalposts (or cones if you're at training)
- A mate to kick to (optional but highly recommended)
- Patience (because trust me, you'll stuff this up a few times)
Step 1: Understand When a Kick-In Happens
This sounds obvious, but it's worth clarifying when the kick-in actually occurs.
A kick-in happens after a behind is scored. The ball goes out of bounds across the goal line (not the boundary line) without a goal being scored. The defending team's full-back—or whoever's standing in that spot—gets to kick the ball back into play from inside the goal square.
Here's the crucial bit: the kick-in must be taken from within the goal square. That's the rectangular area directly in front of the goals. You can't wander outside it, and you can't take the kick from anywhere else on the ground.
Key rule: The player taking the kick-in has a limited time from when the behind is signalled to dispose of the ball. If they take longer, the umpire will call "play on" and the opposition can tackle them. Yes, really.
Step 2: Know Your Time Limits and Options
Here's where it gets interesting for anyone who's watched an AFL game and thought, "Why is that bloke just standing there?"
When the umpire signals a behind (by waving those flags), the clock starts ticking. There's a time limit to take the kick. But here's the nuance:
- If you take the kick within the time limit: The ball is in play, and the standard rules apply. Your teammates can be anywhere on the ground.
- If you take longer than the time limit: The umpire calls "play on." At this point, the opposition can come at you. You can still kick it, but you're now under pressure.
You also have two main options:
- Kick it long to a teammate down the ground
- Kick it short to a teammate in the backline who's running past
Step 3: Position Yourself Correctly in the Goal Square
This is where many beginners get it wrong. You don't just stand anywhere in the goal square and boot it.
The correct position: Stand in the middle of the goal square, facing the centre of the ground. Your kicking foot should be pointing toward the middle of the oval. Your non-kicking foot should be slightly behind the ball.
Why this matters: If you're off-centre, you're limiting your options. From the middle, you can kick to either side of the ground. If you're hugging one side, you're basically telling the opposition where you're going.
What the pros do: Watch any AFL full-back during a kick-in. They'll take a couple of steps back, look up the ground, assess the options, then move forward to kick. It's a deliberate, practised routine.
For grassroots players: Don't overcomplicate this. Get your feet right, take a deep breath, and focus on your target.
Step 4: Read the Opposition's Setup
This is the part that separates good kick-ins from great ones.
Before you kick, scan the ground. What's the opposition doing?
- Are they flooding the backline? If they've got numbers behind the ball, a long kick might be risky.
- Are they leaving space on one wing? That's your target.
- Are they pressing up hard? A short kick to a running defender could work.
The man-on-man defence: If the opposition are playing man-on-man, your best bet is to kick to a teammate who's leading into space. This is more common at grassroots level.
What to avoid: Don't just kick it to the same spot every time. That's predictable, and good defenders will read it. Mix it up.
Step 5: Execute the Kick
You've assessed the situation. You've picked your target. Now it's time to execute.
The short kick: If you're kicking to a teammate 20-30 metres away, use a drop punt. Keep it low and flat. The ball should travel at chest height to your teammate. Don't float it—that gives the opposition time to intercept.
The long kick: For a 50-60 metre kick, you'll need more leg speed. Use a drop punt with a higher trajectory. The ball should travel in a smooth arc. Aim for the space where your teammate is leading, not directly at them.
The torp (torpedo punt): This is an advanced option. The ball spirals end over end, which can create unpredictability. Only use this if you're confident in your ability to control it. At grassroots level, stick with the drop punt.
Common mistake: Kicking too high. A high, loopy kick gives defenders time to get under it. Keep it flat and direct.
Step 6: Understand the "Man on the Mark" Rule
This one catches a lot of people out.
After a kick-in, the opposition can have one player stand on the mark (the spot where the kick was taken). That player can't move until the ball is kicked. But here's the thing: the man on the mark can't be within a certain distance of the kicker.
What this means: If you're taking a kick-in, the opposition will have a player standing a set distance away, trying to block your vision and put pressure on you. You can't just ignore them—you need to kick past them.
How to beat the man on the mark:
- Kick it directly over their head (if they're short)
- Kick it to the side they're not covering
- Use a quick handball to a teammate running past (if you're allowed to handball from a kick-in—more on that in a sec)
Step 7: Know the Restrictions
This is the part that trips up even experienced players.
Restriction 1: You must kick from inside the goal square. You can't step outside it. If you do, the umpire will call "play on" and you'll be penalised.
Restriction 2: You can't kick to yourself. No, seriously. You can't kick the ball, run after it, and kick it again. That's a free kick to the opposition.
Restriction 3: You can't delay the game. Remember that time limit? If you take too long, the umpire calls "play on." At that point, the opposition can tackle you.
Restriction 4: The ball must travel a minimum distance. If you kick it and it doesn't go far enough, it's a free kick to the opposition. This is rare, but it happens.
Restriction 5: You can't kick it out of bounds on the full. If you kick it directly over the boundary line without it bouncing or being touched, it's a free kick to the opposition at the spot where it went out.
Step 8: Develop a Team Strategy
This is where coaches earn their money.
At AFL level, kick-in strategies are complex. Teams spend hours on the training track working out how to beat different defensive setups. But at grassroots level, you can keep it simple.
Strategy 1: The long bomb. Kick it as far as you can to a contest. Your midfielders then compete for the ball. This works if you've got strong contested marks.
Strategy 2: The short option. Kick it to a defender who's running past. That defender then carries the ball forward or kicks it long. This works if you've got quick, skilled defenders.
Strategy 3: The switch. Kick it to one side of the ground, then your teammate immediately kicks it across to the other side. This opens up space.
Strategy 4: The dummy. Pretend to kick long, then quickly kick short to a teammate who's come from the side. This catches the opposition off guard.
What to practice at training:
- Set up a goal square with cones
- Have a teammate stand on the mark
- Practice kicking to different targets
- Practice under pressure (have a defender run at you)
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes
Pro tip 1: Watch the umpire's signal. The time count starts when the umpire waves the flags. Don't wait for them to blow the whistle—that's a different signal.
Pro tip 2: If you're taking a kick-in and the opposition is pressing hard, look for the short option. A quick kick to a running defender can break the press.
Pro tip 3: At grassroots level, don't be afraid to kick it long. AFL players can hit targets from distance, but at local level, a long kick that creates a contest is often better than a short kick that gets intercepted.
Common mistake 1: Kicking too high. A high kick gives defenders time to get under it. Keep it flat.
Common mistake 2: Not scanning the ground. Too many players just kick it to the same spot every time. Look around before you kick.
Common mistake 3: Taking too long. The time limit is real. If you're not ready, you'll get caught.
Common mistake 4: Kicking to a teammate who's standing still. A stationary target is easy to defend. Kick to where your teammate is running, not where they are.
Checklist Summary
Here's your quick-reference checklist for executing a kick-in:
- Know when it happens: Only after a behind, from inside the goal square
- Check the time limit: Start counting from the umpire's signal
- Position yourself: Middle of the goal square, feet pointing toward centre
- Scan the opposition: Look for gaps, zones, or man-on-man setups
- Pick your option: Long kick, short kick, or handball (if safe)
- Execute the kick: Drop punt, flat trajectory, targeted to space
- Beat the man on the mark: Kick over them, to the side, or use a quick handball
- Avoid restrictions: Stay in the goal square, don't delay, don't kick out on the full
- Mix it up: Don't be predictable—vary your targets and strategies
- Practice under pressure: Train with defenders running at you
The kick-in is one of those footy fundamentals that looks simple but rewards those who take the time to understand it. Whether you're a full-back at your local club, a coach trying to teach your under-12s, or just a fan who wants to know why your team's kick-ins keep getting intercepted, these rules and strategies will serve you well.
Remember: the best kick-ins are quick, decisive, and targeted. Don't overthink it. Scan, pick your option, and execute. The rest is up to your teammates.
If you're keen to dive deeper into the rules of the game, check out our guide to AFL umpire signals or brush up on the rushed behind rule. And if you're still getting your head around positions and structures, our rules and positions hub has everything you need.
Now get out there and practice. Your teammates are waiting.
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