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Football is an interesting topic to discuss, anywhere in Australia as there are three dominant codes played.

The international game of football, where the use of the hands to touch the round ball by anyone other than the goalkeeper is forbidden, is gaining in popularity. It is still referred to as Soccer and has a national competition that is ranked third in popularity. In the States of New South Wales and Queensland, the popular game is Rugby, while in the other States of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania, together with the Northern Territory, the local game known as "Australian Rules Football" dominates the scene.

Aussie Rules Football has been described as the fastest and most exciting form of football on Earth, with fast running, tackling and kicking of an oval-shaped leather ball on an oval shaped playing field. One of the most fascinating aspects of the game is that the ball cannot be "thrown". If a player throws the ball during a game, the opposing team will receive a "Free Kick". A footballer is able to carry the ball for a limited distance, but them must either bounce the ball, which will allow the distance to begin again or dispose of the ball, either by kicking the ball or undertaking a "hand-pass", also known as a "hand-ball".

For a hand-pass to be legal, the ball must be held in the palm of one hand and punched from that hand with the other hand. The hand holding the ball must have no involvement in the propulsion of the ball. The other hand must be formed into a fist. An open hand cannot be used. The end of the oval-shaped football is then punched with the thumb-end of the closed fist, propelling the ball towards a team-mate, or to an open space on the playing field.

The ability to pass a football using a hand-pass takes some initial training, as the hand holding the ball will initially want to assist in the propulsion of the ball it is holding. Once the initial skill has been acquired through practice, one must learn how to perfect the hand-ball under more diffcult conditions including while running at full speed and/or being tackled by an opponent and to have the ball land on your team-mates chest at a distance of up to 20 metres. A good footballer will be able to hand-pass with either hand.

To learn how to hand-ball is not difficult. To perfect the art of hand-balling takes years of practice and adds to the spectacle that makes (Aussie Rules) Football the ultimate team sport that it is.

Just remember to never throw a football.

Learn more about this author, Eric J Taylor.
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