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opponent out first and then to retrieve the ball. Others, however, may have no intentions for the ball at all and simply aim to hurt their opponent. Although correct technique can be taught, given the high speed all directional nature of the game, the decision to make the ball the primary objective and the execution of a bump is often a split second tactical decision and left to player instinct. The decision process effects the way players are perceived. A player may be commended for their protection of their teammates, setting up play and controlled aggression. At the same time players who bump but do not contest the ball too often can be seen by some as "dirty" and unsportsmanlike (See "
428:—even though both players were involved in the contest. The incident caused controversy and many commentators had called to "Ban the Bump". The league's reaction in suspending Pickett for six matches also caused controversy, accused by many of handing Pickett a heavier penalty and inventing a new rule and using a vague ruling to unnecessarily victimise Pickett. In response, the league progressively introduced a range of new interpretations giving it the power to penalise players for similar actions. Many players had learned the game and grown up knowing how to protect themselves and with the instinct to bump in these situations and the rule changes drew criticisms for these reasons.
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had shown his spinal column was naturally narrower than average. This condition would have ruled out a career in any professional contact sport had it been diagnosed earlier, and added to the sense of relief that the injury was not considerably more serious. However, he claims that he now suffers virtually no ill effects resulting from the collision. Other players, such as
Carlton's
320:, meaning that unless it occurs during a contest for the ball, it is not always the focus of television cameras or spectators. This can also makes it difficult for field umpires to detect infringements. An umpire will often call "fair bump", or "play on" in response to a legal bump. If a bump is late and the player has already kicked the ball, then it often results in a
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weeks. The incident sparked a media circus in many parts of
Australia. This intensified when Koschitzke later dramatically fainted during a television interview. Many immediately assumed it was connected to the bump and head injury; however, subsequent brain scans found nothing abnormal. In future matches, Koschitzke wore a soft head padding to protect himself.
557:
and sideline him for up to 10 weeks. Some argued that
Maxwell's eyes were taken off the ball, and that his sole intent was to take McGinnity out of play. The AFL Tribunal handed Maxwell a 4-week suspension ruling that Maxwell had a duty of care, even in a split second onfield decision to commit to a bump. Several media commentators including
536:, Wirrpanda had slid to the ground causing incidental contact to be made to his head. The AFL match review panel ruled the severe impact of the collision as rough play and charged Ablett. Geelong appealed the decision. The AFL tribunal subsequently cleared Ablett of any wrongdoing despite the forceful front-on bump and headhigh contact.
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suspended for two games, with the jury concluding that Viney could have avoided the collision. However, the
Melbourne Football Club appealed the verdict, and the ruling was subsequently overturned. The decision attracted considerable media attention as many angered AFL fans expressed their concern for the spirit of the game.
499:) have attracted maximum penalties (the same number of weeks as Pickett's 2005 bump) for bumps of this nature. In defence, the AFL has released reports by medical experts claiming that serious head and neck injuries could be caused by this type of bumping, especially at high speeds. Despite these claims, the only case of
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as they contested the loose ball. Although McGinnity's head was not over the ball and he was within 5 metres of the ball so would have reasonably expected contact, Maxwell's copybook bump executed with the hip and shoulder resulted in an incidental clash of heads from the impact broke McGinnity's jaw
616:
and the following clash of heads resulted in concussion and broken nose to Kelly and a 3-match ban for
Dangerfield for rough, reckless, high contact. Other than the accidental head clash, the bump appeared to be well executed, and inconsistency in the tribunal ruling had many commentators once again
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is often used instead against a player in possession of the ball. Although a bump can be a harder physical hit; however, it is less likely to be effective in dispossessing a player of the ball and more likely to concede a free kick than a tackle. Additionally, an effective tackle can rewarded with a
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Shepherding typically involves a player using their whole body to stop an opponent from reaching a contest, and usually to stop an opponent from tackling a teammate or getting to the ball. The most effective shepherding is done with outstretched stiff arms and use of strength and body weight between
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opponent (not just the player in possession) who is within five metres of the ball. Charging a player is not a legal bump and is penalised with a free kick and can be reported, regardless of whether the ball is within five metres or not. Though generally, a charge will tend occur outside five metres
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turning his body to protect himself from impact. The resulting collision, regarded by many as accidental, saw Lynch sandwiched between the two opponents and his head to clash with that of
Gergiou, resulting in Lynch sustaining a broken jaw. Viney was referred straight to the tribunal, where he was
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defended the AFL's position. Collingwood launched a successful appeal, the only one under the current judicial system, and the decision was completely reversed. However weeks later, in light of clearing
Maxwell, the AFL announced it intended to clarify the rules further to prevent similar appeals.
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said that the speed of the game and the professionalism and physiques of modern AFL players were to blame (something that recent AFL rules have actually been designed to increase). In a speech, he used the unfortunate phrase "breakneck speed" to highlight the problem. Caracella revealed that scans
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while his head was over the ball, causing
Simmonds to be knocked out and carried off the ground on a stretcher. Given the large audience of the AFL Grand Final, the AFL applied a significant penalty and in the first major crackdown on head-high bumps, the league handed Long a four-match suspension
444:
with a legal hip and shoulder after both players accidentally clashed heads. Koschitzke appeared not to be aware of the oncoming
Giansiracusa bump. However, the AFL tribunal later cleared Giansiracusa of any wrongdoing. Koschitzke was diagnosed with a fractured skull and was expected to miss 4–6
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Because shepherding can be applied regardless of whether the player is in possession, this gives players the choice of "playing the man" and not the ball. In circumstances where two players contest a loose ball, a player in an inferior position or with a weight advantage might decide to take his
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as both players ran at full speed from opposite directions. Ablett flattened
Wirrpanda with his hip and shoulder which appeared on video to be legal. Both players played on without visible injury. Later published photographs of the incident revealed head high contact during the shirtfront
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Players may hold their ground in marking or ruck contests but it is illegal to block an opposition player's run at the ball. Use of the hands in the back to hold ground is illegal in the AFL but is legal under the Laws of Australian Football and is not penalised in other leagues.
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Bumps can come from any direction and are often unexpected by a recipient. Playing the game therefore requires considerable courage, as little padding is worn by players to protect their bodies from high impact collisions. It is generally deemed the responsibility of anyone
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The league introduced further rule interpretations in 2006, highlighting these incidents as examples. It continues to be accused of inconsistency and a lack of clarity in the interpretation of such rules, particularly after a bump incident involving Collingwood's
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Although arm contact is allowed whilst shepherding, no contact can be made with the head of an opponent whilst bumping. Incidental clashes of heads can sometimes happen when players bump or collide at full speed and this can cause serious head or facial injuries.
265:. Both have elbows and shoulders tucked in to execute a legal bump. However, only the South African has "eyes for the ball". The Irish player, caught in a less advantageous position is instead "playing the man" and is attempting to take his opponent out.
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shepherd in marking and ruck contests. Players may not make high or low contact during a shepherd, nor hold their opponents; free kicks should result from any of these infractions. Nevertheless, there have been a number of incidents in the professional
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claimed that the decision brought into question the very fabric of the game and could set a precedent which would see the innate physicality and unpredictability which endears the game to spectators to be removed. However some, such as
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The prevalence of shepherding is distinctive in Australian rules football as it is an illegal form of play in many other codes of football where it is subject to obstruction rules. It is completely banned in
245:. Both players have eyes for the ball; however, player 18 uses their momentum and size to advantage, disrupting their opponent's player 3's balance to retrieve the disputed ball and gain possession.
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American footballers face the opponent they are blocking, while the Australian footballer is most frequently standing in front of and facing away from their opponent when being shepherded
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As bumps can cause serious injury, there are rules to protect players, particularly to protect the head of a player being bumped. Mid-air collisions can happen in a
44:
192:, a player can shepherd an opposition player when the ball is within five metres, with the exception of contests where players contest the ball in the air, i.e.
138:, a team sport. Shepherding is the act of legally pushing, bumping or blocking an opposing player from gaining possession of the ball or reaching the contest.
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when players are committed to the ball, however these collisions are considered accidental or incidental when players make the ball their sole objective.
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591:. Both players contested the ball from opposite directions. Viney arrived slightly later and as Lynch gained possession and was tackled by
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again brought the bump under scrutiny from the AFL match review panel. In a match between Collingwood and West Coast, Collingwood captain
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which have caused controversy and have resulted in the rules regarding shepherding to be more strictly applied behind play.
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which fractured several vertebrae and bruised his spinal cord. The injury horrified the football community. AFL CEO
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and other criteria are taken into account, such as: severity of contact, intent or recklessness, and injury caused.
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153:. Through shepherding, Australian football players are able to influence the movement of their opponents.
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769:"The AFL bump is dead: Bizarre Ben Cunnington suspension shows why hip-and-shoulders should be banned"
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Carlton AFL player shepherding a Western Bulldogs opponent for a teammate in possession of the ball.
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In 2008, the bump was again in the spotlight. During a match between Geelong and West Coast at
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and charges (run-up and attack) an opponent for a bump, they can be reported for "charging".
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Controversy surrounded an incident in Round 7, 2014 when Melbourne Football club player
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and is an illegal and reportable offense (but again, often subject to interpretation).
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The following shepherding incidents have been reviewed by the AFL match review panel,
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free kick, whereas a bump cannot. Like tackles, a bump from behind will often cause a
740:"Past, present players outraged as Tribunal hits Jack Viney with two-game suspension"
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The game's highest governing body, the AFL, set a precedent in 2005 when it charged
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suffered a career-ending neck injury after an accidental bump from former teammate
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754:"'Nothing's changed': AFL greats clash over 'accidental' Patrick Dangerfield bump"
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only on a player in possession (until the puck reaches any other player), as does
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The football community was once again divided in Round 1, 2021, when a bump by
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in the 1970s, and which was both accidental and not related to a bump.
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calling for it to be banned to eliminate the grey area around it.
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and therefore surrounded by media attention and controversy.
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Collingwood's Nick Maxwell victorious at AFL Appeals Board
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177:. The concept of shepherding, however, is very similar to
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executed an old fashioned front-on bump or shirtfront on
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The bump caused further controversy later in 2006 when
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51:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
424:with his head over the ball during the pre-season
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218:" skill and is an important aspect of team play.
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503:in the history of Aussie Rules was suffered by
309:to protect themselves from bumps. If a players
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679:by Campbell Brown for The Age. 13 April 2008
234:There are varied techniques of shepherding:
60:"Shepherding" Australian rules football
689:Clamp on Nick Maxwell's bump just not footy
274:A player can legally bump (also known as a
200:, or when the ball is not in play. Players
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263:2008 Australian Football International Cup
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145:, someone who influences the movement of
111:Learn how and when to remove this message
715:Sam Edmund for The Age. 20 February 2009
587:applied a bump on Adelaide Crows player
316:Bumping is often described as happening
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474:2007 Rule Interpretations and Penalties
432:Giansiracusa–Koschitzke Incident (2006)
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261:prepare to bump each other during the
1132:Australian rules football terminology
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515:Ablett Jr.–Wirrpanda Incident (2008)
297:A front on charge is often called a
49:adding citations to reliable sources
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16:Legally pushing, bumping or blocking
470:, have sustained similar injuries.
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141:The term originates from the word
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767:Francis, Kieran (13 April 2021).
600:Dangerfield–Kelly Incident (2021)
540:Maxwell–McGinnity Incident (2009)
449:Notting–Caracella Incident (2006)
243:Victorian Women's Football League
224:Australian rules football culture
214:Shepherding is classified as a "
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408:Pickett–Begley Incident (2005)
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381:Long–Simmonds Incident (2000)
703:by Andrea Petrie for The Age
440:was rendered unconscious by
404:for engaging in rough play.
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691:by Mike Sheahan for The Age
656:from westernbulldogs.com.au
579:Viney–Lynch Incident (2014)
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259:South African national team
241:A strong and legal bump in
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701:Free Maxwell, say legends
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136:Australian rules football
134:is a tactic and skill in
977:Deliberate out of bounds
666:Didak report thrown out
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387:2000 AFL Grand Final
45:improve this article
1091:Priority draft pick
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939:chicken wing tackle
610:Patrick Dangerfield
442:Daniel Giansiracusa
375:AFL Rules Committee
255:Irish national team
606:Brownlow medallist
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1029:Goal of the Year
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992:Push in the back
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967:50-metre penalty
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756:. 21 March 2021.
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728:. 23 May 2014.
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34:This article
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947:spear tackle
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891:torpedo punt
887:up and under
776:. Retrieved
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559:Mike Sheahan
550:Nick Maxwell
546:2009 NAB Cup
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501:quadriplegia
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468:Nick Stevens
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422:James Begley
420:for bumping
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394:Michael Long
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43:Please help
38:verification
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18:
1096:Rookie list
824:terminology
778:19 February
572:Rodney Eade
509:Neil Sachse
497:Daniel Bell
493:Ben Johnson
459:Tim Notting
398:Melbourne's
365:Controversy
328:Shepherding
299:shirt front
132:Shepherding
1111:Footy gods
1033:super goal
972:Coathanger
959:Free kicks
871:place kick
621:References
614:Jake Kelly
608:Geelong's
585:Jack Viney
483:'s elbow.
481:Alan Didak
418:rough play
391:Essendon's
188:Under the
167:Ice hockey
101:April 2008
71:newspapers
1086:Positions
863:drop punt
859:drop kick
589:Tom Lynch
505:Footscray
436:In 2006,
1126:Category
1071:Guernsey
1066:Flooding
943:fend-off
929:Shepherd
879:set shot
843:Handball
337:Blocking
311:lines up
179:blocking
143:shepherd
1101:Time-on
1051:Ball-up
1001:Scoring
898:Kick-in
867:grubber
838:Clanger
426:NAB Cup
396:bumped
385:In the
307:in play
270:Bumping
169:allows
151:paddock
85:scholar
1106:Umpire
1056:Banner
1008:Behind
934:Tackle
831:Skills
491:) and
352:tackle
278:move)
203:cannot
159:soccer
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847:Kick
416:with
163:rugby
161:. In
149:in a
147:sheep
92:JSTOR
78:books
1076:Laws
1020:Goal
903:Mark
883:snap
875:punt
780:2022
565:and
534:bump
495:(on
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196:and
64:news
773:MSN
507:'s
280:any
181:in
47:by
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877:,
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