the mark towards the kicker. Breaking this rule is punishable by a 50-metre penalty. If the team chooses not to put a man on the mark, then players may defend the kick from five metres behind the mark; these players are allowed to move. There is a protected area around the kicker, which is a corridor which extends ten metres either side of the line between the man on the mark and the kicker, five metres behind the kicker, and five metres behind the mark. Opposing players may not enter the protected area unless following their direct opponent within two metres; and player who find themselves within the area need to make best endeavours to leave it. Breaking the rule is also punishable by 50-metre penalty. Origins of the mark The combination of kick and mark as the primary means for advancing the ball has been a distinctive feature of Australian football ever since the first rules were created in 1859. Other forms of football descended from English public school football games of the 19th century have featured a fair catch, with similar rules to the mark. It was abolished early in the development of soccer and is only used occasionally in rugby union and American football. The origin of the term has a few possible sources. In rugby and the early days of soccer, a player would shout 'mark' and mark the ground with their foot. It was formerly a requirement in the Australian game to make such a mark but this is no longer the case. Sometimes a cap which formed part of the uniform was used to show where the fair catch was taken. Another source of the term may have been from the traditional Aboriginal game of Marn Grook, which is said to have influenced founder Tom Wills' development of the early forms of Australian football. It is claimed that in Marn Grook, jumping to catch the ball, called "mumarki", an Aboriginal word meaning "to catch", results in a free kick. Evolution of the overhead mark Early in the game characterised by low shork kicks and scrimmages. Marks were taken on the chest as all other marks were seen as dangerous or risky. One of the first players to attempt an overhead mark and high mark was Jack Kerley in 1883. Jack Worrall popularised the high mark between 1885 and 1887 and other followed ushering in