Australian Football
Free kicks, the protected area and 50-metre penalties
How marks and free kicks set The Mark, how the protected area limits opponents, and when a 50-metre penalty advances play under the 2026 Laws.
A mark or free kick creates The Mark
When a player is awarded a Mark or Free Kick, one opponent may stand on The Mark or follow the umpire’s direction. Other opponents must be behind The Mark or outside the Protected Area.
The protected area must be cleared
The Protected Area is a corridor around the line from The Mark to the player with the football. An opponent cannot enter and remain there unless Play On is called or the player is accompanying or following an opponent within two metres; a player caught inside must make every endeavour to leave immediately.
Delaying or impeding play can cost 50 metres
After a Mark or Free Kick, a Fifty Metre Penalty may be awarded for conduct such as moving off The Mark, failing to vacate the Protected Area, holding the player after the decision, not returning the football directly and on the full, or otherwise delaying or impeding play.
The Mark is advanced toward goal
A Fifty Metre Penalty advances The Mark by 50 metres in a direct line toward the centre of the Goal Line for the team awarded the penalty. If less than 50 metres remains, The Mark becomes the centre of the Goal Line. The player may Play On while the mark is being advanced. A Controlling Body may reduce the penalty distance to 25 metres in its competition.