In Australian rules football, a clean catch from a kick travelling at least 15 metres is called a mark.
The player must catch the ball cleanly before it touches the ground or another player, and the kick must meet the required distance. Once a mark is paid, the player receives a free kick and can choose whether to take the kick, play on or handball in accordance with the laws of the game.
Marks can be taken in many positions. A player may catch the ball overhead, at chest height or close to the ground. Spectacular high marks, sometimes called speckies, are among the sport’s most recognisable moments, but an ordinary chest mark is governed by the same basic principle.
A mark is not the same as an intercept in every context, although an interception can result in a mark. The key features are a clean catch and the minimum kick distance. A kick shorter than 15 metres generally cannot produce a standard mark.