THE AFL has set the protected area around the mark at 10 metres following successful trials in the NAB Challenge.

The AFL website reports the rule will take effect for the 2016 premiership season.

Feedback from clubs suggested that the ability to move the ball improved with an increase to the protected area surrounding the player with the ball. 

The League's football operations manager Mark Evans also says the stricter interpretations of tackles and deliberate out of bounds had been positively received.

"Both interpretations … have had good support and we have seen that tackling techniques have altered significantly," Evans said.