FOOTBALL IN PLAY
The football shall remain in play on each and every occasion when the field Umpire calls and signals ‘Play On’.
CIRCUMSTANCES – ‘PLAY ON’
The field Umpire shall call and signal ‘Play On’ or ‘Touched Play On’ when:
(a) an Umpire is struck by the football while it is in play;
(b) the field Umpire is of the opinion that the football, having been Kicked, was touched whilst in transit;
(c) the field Umpire is of the opinion that the football, having been Kicked, does not travel a distance of at least 15 metres;
(d) the field Umpire cancels a Free Kick;
(e) the field Umpire is of the opinion that a Player, who has been awarded a Free Kick or a Mark, runs, Handballs or Kicks or attempts to run, Handball or Kick otherwise than over The Mark;
(f) where a Player, awarded a Mark or Free Kick, fails to dispose of the football when directed to do so by the field Umpire;
(g) subject to Law 11.3.6, in the instance of a poor bounce by a field Umpire;
(h) where a Player fails to bring the football back into play when kicking in from behind after being directed to do so by the field umpire; or
(i) where the field Umpire cancels a Mark.
(c) if the defending Player decides to play from outside the Playing Surface beyond the Goal Line or Behind Line, they may Correctly Dispose of the football in any direction provided they do not move off the direct line between themself and the Player standing The Mark. If the defending player does move from this line, the field Umpire shall call ‘Play On’ and the goal Umpire shall signal and record a Behind; and
(d) if the defending Player, in disposing of the football, hits either the goal or behind post, the Player shall be given the football again to recommence play.
THE ADVANTAGE RULE
Where the field Umpire intends to or has signalled that they intend to award a Free Kick to a Player, the field Umpire may, instead of awarding the Free Kick, allow play to continue if a Player of the Team who receives the Free Kick has taken the advantage.
