A 666 warning in Australian Football League (AFL) refers to a rule requiring teams to position six players inside each of their respective 50-meter arcs during a centre bounce. This rule aims to prevent teams from flooding the defence at centre bounces.
Understanding the 666 Rule
The 666 rule, introduced in 2019, was designed to open up the game and encourage more attacking play by preventing congestion in the defensive half of the ground at centre bounces. Specifically, each team is required to have:
- Six players within their defensive 50-meter arc.
- Six players within their attacking 50-meter arc.
- The remaining six players can position themselves in the midfield.
Purpose of the Rule
The core objective of the 666 rule is to:
- Reduce Defensive Flooding: By forcing teams to have six players forward, it discourages them from packing their defence with extra players from the midfield.
- Increase Scoring Opportunities: With more players positioned in the attacking zone, there should be more forward entries and scoring opportunities.
- Encourage Open Play: By spreading out the players, the rule promotes a more open, fast-flowing style of football.
Practical Implications
The 666 rule has several practical implications for how teams approach a centre bounce situation:
- Player Positioning: Coaches must carefully select which players to position in each zone based on their speed, agility, and contested marking ability.
- Tactical Adjustments: Teams need to develop new strategies for moving the ball from the midfield to their forward line, relying less on congested marking.
- Penalties for Infringement: If a team does not have the required number of players within each 50-meter arc at the moment of a centre bounce, they may be penalized, typically resulting in a free kick to the opposing side.
Example Scenario
Consider a typical centre bounce: before the bounce, both teams are mandated to position six players within their respective forward 50-meter arc and six players in their defensive arc. If a team is caught with five players in either arc, a free kick would be awarded to the other team.
Summary
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Rule | Requires six players from each team in each 50-meter arc at the centre bounce. |
| Purpose | To limit defensive flooding, increase scoring opportunities, and promote open gameplay. |
| Effect | Teams must be structured, leading to less congestion and more emphasis on player movement and creating scoring opportunities. |
The AFL is currently discussing if the 666 rule should be scrapped.
