Glossary of Australian Rules Football - F

F

Fat side

an imaginary area of the ground that indicates the greatest space occupied by the least number of players. See thin side.

Field umpire

see central umpire.

Fifty

short for "fifty-metre penalty".

Fifty, the

an arc drawn at each end of the ground indicating that the distance from the goal line is fifty metres. It is the only designated distance marker on an Australian rules football arena.

Final siren

the siren that sounds to signal the end of the game.

Finals

the post-season series of games that decide the premiership.

Flag, the

common expression for the Premiership, based upon the practice of awarding a flag for winning the premiership (analogous to the pennant in American sports).

Flags

white flag waved by a goal umpire to signal a goal or behind.

Flank

an indicative area of the ground that lies between the wing and pocket on both sides of the centre. Also referred to as "half-forward flank" and "half-back flank".

Flick pass

the variant of a handball which propels the ball with a flick of an open hand, rather than a clenched fist. Once legal in South Australian leagues, but now uniformly outlawed. See throw.

Flight

the way a ball travels through the air.

Flood

the act of getting as many players as possible between the ball carrier and the goal a team is defending.

Followers

an old term referring to on-the-ball players, so named because they were the only players who followed the ball wherever it went. Specifically, the ruck, ruck rover and rover were considered followers. The term is less applicable in the modern game, where many more players will tend to move around the ground.

Four points, to get the

common parlance for winning a game. The "four points" refers to the number of premiership points awarded for a win in an AFL game and in many other leagues. "To get the two points" would be the South Australian equivalent.

Free kick

a possession of the ball given to a player as a result of an infringement by an opposition player. These are only awarded by the central umpire.

Full-back

the area of the ground directly in front of the opposition's goals. Also the name given to the player placed in that position. Usually opposed by the full-forward.

Full-forward

the area of the ground directly in front of a team's goals. Also the name given to the player placed in that position. Usually opposed by the full-back.

Full-time

the end of the game. See final siren.