Starting and Restarting Play
A game is divided into 4 quarters of 20 minutes playing time. Time is kept off the field by two timekeepers. The scoreboard clock counts upward continuously from 0:00, and is entirely unofficial. When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, time is added on to the playing time of the quarter. This is referred to as 'time on'. The timekeepers activate a siren to signal the start and end of each quarter. The field umpires signal when they are ready to restart play so the timekeepers know to restart the clock.
Teams determine the initial choice of goal to kick to by coin toss. The winning captain usually chooses so that the wind will be behind his attackers for the first and third quarters. The teams change ends at the end of each quarter.
The field umpire in charge of the center bounce will raise the ball over his head as an indication to the timekeepers that he is ready to start play. He then bounces the ball in the center circle so that it rebounds vertically to be contested by the players in the center square. This is known as the "bouncedown." If ground conditions won't allow the ball to bounce, the umpire simply tosses the ball into the air as if it were a "jump ball." This is also done after a goal is kicked and to start each quarter or term.
At a center bounce, no player may enter the center circle or cross the center line into the opponent's side of the ground, and only four players from each team are permitted in the center square, until after the ball has been bounced.
A maximum interval of 3 minutes is allowed between the first and second quarters for the teams to change ends, and five minutes are allowed between the third and fourth quarters. Half-time is a maximum of 20 minutes long, with players being allowed to leave the ground for not more than 15 minutes. If the game is being televised, the broadcaster may prevail upon the umpires to increase the length of the breaks to allow more time for advertising, as is common practice in American professional sports.
Coaches may not have direct access to the players during play. The coaches generally confine themselves to a box above the ground, the senior coach having access to the bench through a field telephone. A runner (the guys dressed in neon green or yellow warm ups) is used to relay instructions to the players.
After a goal is scored, play is restarted in the center of the ground in the manner described above.
The other common situations when play is restarted are:
(a) After a behind has been scored. Any player of the defending team kicks the ball from within the kick-off 'square' in front of goal. Previously, the designated kicker had to wait until the goal umpire waved the flag. However, in 2006 a new rule was introduced so players no longer have to wait. The player must kick the ball out to restart play. You may observe, however, that there is no rule preventing him from kicking the ball to himself.) However, he must kick the ball before leaving the confines of the goalsquare or be penalized with a free kick to the oppostion.
(b) After the ball has gone out of bounds (outside the boundary line). If the ball went over the boundary line on the fly as a result of a kick that was not touched, it is "out on the full", and the opposing team receives a free-kick from the spot at which the ball went out. The closest player from the opposing team takes the free kick. The free kick may also be given if the umpire decides the ball has otherwise been put out of bounds deliberately. Otherwise, the boundary umpire restarts play by throwing the ball back over his head toward the center of the ground.
(c) When a pack of players prevents either team from gaining clear possession, or a player being tackled or held fails to dispose of the ball ("holding the ball;" see "Possession" below). The umpire bounces the ball at the spot where play came to a halt.
Each quarter runs for 20 minutes of playing time -- when the ball is in play. The ball is considered out of play in the following situations:
(a) A goal is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flags to when the ball is bounced.
(b) A behind is scored. Time is stopped from when the goal umpire finishes waving his flag to when the ball is kicked in.
(c) The ball goes out of bounds. Time is stopped from when the ball goes over the boundary line until the boundary umpire throws the ball back into play.
(d) Whenever the field umpire signals to the timekeepers that time is to be stopped by raising his arm and blowing his whistle.
