Afl Known world wide?

[cos789]

There seems to be plenty of interest in the game o/s but that there would be much more of a following if it were more accesible. I wonder if the AFL could be doing more to get the game televised on sports channels and pay tv o/s? Perhaps offering really cheap rights to it if some games are televised in full - perhaps once weekly. Even if this is only shown at an ongodly hour.

It's the reason why AR took off in the USA originally was because it was on Pay TV in that industry's infancy .

Exposure is powerful but a lot has been done by individuals and the internet .

The question whether the AFL can do more is a very hot debate .

 

[cos789]

I know some americans who are totally confused by it.

Most people who compare AR to their game are confused .

when you think about it, its not really like any other game in the world..

Which makes it unique and attractive .

To design a perfect game it would be have to be interesting , even spectacular, moderate scoring with minimal rules .

Oval shape minimises boundary rules .
No offside minimises general play rules .
No special players minimises rules .
Large target area produces optimal scoring .
Frequent kicking produces the quick movements .
Kicking,marking,running,bouncing,dodging scoring produce spectacles .
A player is free to attack the ball at all times .
Once a player has taken poession he is liable to be tackled .

To an AR person looking at other games it is even more confusing .

 

[Bouvet_Island]

Most people who compare AR to their game are confused .



Which makes it unique and attractive .

To design a perfect game it would be have to be interesting , even spectacular, moderate scoring with minimal rules .

Oval shape minimises boundary rules .
No offside minimises general play rules .
No special players minimises rules .
Large target area produces optimal scoring .
Frequent kicking produces the quick movements .
Kicking,marking,running,bouncing,dodging scoring produce spectacles .
A player is free to attack the ball at all times .
Once a player has taken poession he is liable to be tackled .

To an AR person looking at other games it is even more confusing .

Other than making it much more difficult to judge if the ball has crossed the boundary compared to straight lines, how does an oval shape "minimize boundary rules"?

 

[cos789]

Other than making it much more difficult to judge if the ball has crossed the boundary compared to straight lines, how does an oval shape "minimize boundary rules"?

Rectangular codes have different rules for the sidelines and the goal lines .

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Rectangular codes have different rules for the sidelines and the goal lines .

So does the AFL. AFL has normal ball-ins and out-on-the-full, which is basically a corner.

 

[J_Moore]

Yeah, simplicity of rules isn't one of AR's strong suits.

Of the major codes in Australia, soccer wins on the 'easy to understand' front, with the only real grey area to do with incidental physical contact. Then League. AR and Union about as bad as each other.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Yeah, simplicity of rules isn't one of AR's strong suits.

Of the major codes in Australia, soccer wins on the 'easy to understand' front, with the only real grey area to do with incidental physical contact. Then League. AR and Union about as bad as each other.

The only thing in soccer that's complex is offside, and even that's not really complex, just hard to explain in words.

 

[J_Moore]

The only thing in soccer that's complex is offside, and even that's not really complex, just hard to explain in words.

Yeah, offside is pretty straight forward, and it's also a rule that is black and white. I'm more talking about the degree to which the different codes require interpretation and value judgements in the implementation of the rules. One of the big problems with AR and Union is how much the rules is up to the discretion of the umpire.

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

Yeah, offside is pretty straight forward, and it's also a rule that is black and white. I'm more talking about the degree to which the different codes require interpretation and value judgements in the implementation of the rules. One of the big problems with AR and Union is how much the rules is up to the discretion of the umpire.

Yeah, fair enough.

 

[cos789]

So does the AFL.

No . Australian Football has one boundary line.
Rectangular sports have different rules for goal lines and side lines .

AFL has normal ball-ins and out-on-the-full, which is basically a corner.

Australian has a boundary law wrt to how the ball left the field not where the ball left field .

 

[Woodson]

From my travel experiences, I found that many Americans who haven't travelled outside their own boundaries to be 'oblivious' to what / where Australia is and what they know about our country. Yes, their understanding is that we play 'rugby' but it seems to be a vague guess as they seem unclear what actually we find fascinating about a sport that hasn't reached worldwide appeal. The exposure is extremely limited to AR. Many thought I was from England or New Zealand.

When you have their undivided attention, it's a newborn experience/ sensation for many who never thought it was possible to play a sport that's more physical (can be) of American Football and more skillful than soccer.

I just kept the principal explanation to a minimal as without having visual demonstration, they would be totally confused. To then explain the difference between Rugby and AR... to some it was an amazing insight that we actually can play without pads and for over 30minutes continuous.

Didn't encounter anyone with any remote limited understanding of AR unfortunately. One real difference I found with the friendly American compared to the average friendly Australian, they are prepared to ask questions and show an interest. Unlike some others who just assume they know already but don't care to pass an opinion.

 

[cos789]

From my travel experiences... .

I found it best to steer away from sports and politics unless the other party mentioned it first .

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

No . Australian Football has one boundary line.
Rectangular sports have different rules for goal lines and side lines .

Australian has a boundary law wrt to how the ball left the field not where the ball left field .

I don't see how that's more simple, though.

 

[Flinch]

From my travel experiences, I found that many Americans who haven't travelled outside their own boundaries to be 'oblivious' to what / where Australia is and what they know about our country. Yes, their understanding is that we play 'rugby' but it seems to be a vague guess as they seem unclear what actually we find fascinating about a sport that hasn't reached worldwide appeal. The exposure is extremely limited to AR. Many thought I was from England or New Zealand.

When you have their undivided attention, it's a newborn experience/ sensation for many who never thought it was possible to play a sport that's more physical (can be) of American Football and more skillful than soccer.

I just kept the principal explanation to a minimal as without having visual demonstration, they would be totally confused. To then explain the difference between Rugby and AR... to some it was an amazing insight that we actually can play without pads and for over 30minutes continuous.

Didn't encounter anyone with any remote limited understanding of AR unfortunately. One real difference I found with the friendly American compared to the average friendly Australian, they are prepared to ask questions and show an interest. Unlike some others who just assume they know already but don't care to pass an opinion.

That's abit of a statement. Sure I like Soccer, I love Football aswell, but when footy fans say that I can't see how and where. Sure it's harder to kick and oval ball, but soccer players can manipulate the ball to do anything with their feet, thighs and whatever else. Their would probably more technical skill apects to soccer, but we make up for it.

 

[cos789]

I don't see how that's more simple, though.

I don't expect you to see how having one boundary and one set of rules is simpler than having two boundaries and two set of rules .

 

[Dimenhydrinate]

I don't expect you to see how having one boundary and one set of rules is simpler than having two boundaries and two set of rules .

Soccer: Out on the wings, throw in against the team whose player it was off. Out on the ends, corner if it's off a defender and goal kick if it's off an attacker.

Seems pretty simple to me.

 

[Woodson]

I found it best to steer away from sports and politics unless the other party mentioned it first .

Politics and religion are the taboo subjects. Easy to get people offside quickly I agree. Sports is forever trivial. Lots of stirring-banter going on and how the Americans I met can't go a day without using the 'suck/ sucks' word. I actually start by making complimentary remarks about their environment / set up which gets their undivided attention then I impress them with some knowledge about the team 'Steelers' which floors them / leaves them speechless. I even challenged them to what they knew and let me say 'they lost their bets' Their shouts!! I cleaned up.

Cheers!!!

 

[Bouvet_Island]

Soccer: Out on the wings, throw in against the team whose player it was off. Out on the ends, corner if it's off a defender and goal kick if it's off an attacker.

Seems pretty simple to me.

Apparently that's more complicated than;

If it goes out, the umpire throws it in backwards over his head.

Unless;
- It went out on the full from a player kicking it.
OR
- If the referee *thinks* a player hit it out deliberately (although I'd say the current AFL interpretation is "blatantly", not "deliberately").

Then it's a free kick to the other team..


And that's without taking into consideration the aforementioned difficulties which can occur trying to "see around a curve" to judge if the ball actually crossed the line. There is a pretty obvious reason why every other sport in the world uses straight lines to mark their fields.

 

[Woodson]

That's abit of a statement. Sure I like Soccer, I love Football aswell, but when footy fans say that I can't see how and where. Sure it's harder to kick and oval ball, but soccer players can manipulate the ball to do anything with their feet, thighs and whatever else. Their would probably more technical skill apects to soccer, but we make up for it.

As much as I appreciate what your saying, many (over 80% is a fair- reasonable estimate) don't actually execute those exquisite skill-levels on the week in week out basis so when I say the AR skills are more ....it's more the % of players ABLE to execute skills on a week to week basis.

I also can greatly appreciate a fierce / skillsful game of the round ball code but as soon as the 'cheating element' creeps in, I get turned right off. World Cup is clearly a sad indictment of these shenanigans killing their reputation.

 

[grogan]

thought i was having a dream one night. Felt nauseous , bright light and this weird voice asking. 'Do you know Sheedy?'




Woke up the next morning in a crop circle.

 

[seysearles]

My experience with international awareness of the game is that it's not widely known and if it is it's often mistaken for a form of rubgy. I used to try to spread the gospel and explain the game to people but I've sort of given up on that and now choose rather to follow it privately.

Over here on the The Dark Continent we get ESPN International which shows 2 games a week replayed and does a pretty snazzy promo which admittedly gets a lot of airtime and usually goes along the lines of (enthusiastic American accent) "This week see if the Gee-long Cats can make it 4 in a row vs the Saint Kilda Saints as the boys from down under go head to head in this weeks Oss-ie Rules. See it here on ESPN" accompanied by a well edited highlights reel showing some big grabs and big hits. It seems to have aroused a bit of attention cos I often get people mentioning how it's "always on", although I suspect they just see the promo a lot and not the game itself.

 

[corporalpunish]

Most people who compare AR to their game are confused .



Which makes it unique and attractive .

To design a perfect game it would be have to be interesting , even spectacular, moderate scoring with minimal rules .

Oval shape minimises boundary rules .
No offside minimises general play rules .
No special players minimises rules .
Large target area produces optimal scoring .
Frequent kicking produces the quick movements .
Kicking,marking,running,bouncing,dodging scoring produce spectacles .
A player is free to attack the ball at all times .
Once a player has taken poession he is liable to be tackled .

To an AR person looking at other games it is even more confusing .

Unfortunately "optimal scoring" is one of the worst facets of ARF; not much else happens apart from blokes scoring goals. A decent rugby player, Jonny Wilkinson or danny Carter would score about 20 goals a game.

 

[Hawkinspired]

I was in the south of France at the time of the world cup last year. So I'm in a cab and the driver is asking about soccer and I say I follow Australian football. He responds 'like fight?'

 

[seysearles]

Problem with footy is that (like NFL which I've tried to understand and still find myself confused) footy is technical and therefore complicated. You need to understand certain fundamental rules which aren't particularly intuitive in order to get it. As a result most people who are exposed to the game late in life, overseas or otherwise, only appreciate it superficially (big marks, big tackles) and are never able to understand the tactics and nuances that we know and love.

For example they will see a player slot a goal from deep in the pocket with a checkside under pressure and wont be impressed as they have no frame of reference as to whether that's normal or difficult. In fact they're usually more impressed with how the goal umpire signals the goal afterwards

 

[Flinch]

As much as I appreciate what your saying, many (over 80% is a fair- reasonable estimate) don't actually execute those exquisite skill-levels on the week in week out basis so when I say the AR skills are more ....it's more the % of players ABLE to execute skills on a week to week basis.

I also can greatly appreciate a fierce / skillsful game of the round ball code but as soon as the 'cheating element' creeps in, I get turned right off. World Cup is clearly a sad indictment of these shenanigans killing their reputation.

With a lower percentage, doesn't mean that the skills are much hardr as only the elite can do, therefore making soccer the mire skilful sport. Wouldn't another example be Karmichael Hunt. Fantastic Athlete and within a few years can play professionaly. No way in the world he could do the same with the round ball.