Arena Football 101

Arena Football 101

I know most of you guys don't understand arena football but here some rules that you can read over and it will make it make sense...So here's some information that might be useful.



• An indoor padded surface 85-feet wide and 50-yards long with eight-yard end zones.
• Goal posts are nine-feet wide with a crossbar height of 15 feet (NFL goal posts are 18-1/2-feet wide with the crossbar at 10 feet).
• The goal-side rebound nets are 30-feet wide by 32-feet high. The bottoms of the nets are eight feet above the ground.
• Sideline barriers are 48-inches high and made of high-density foam rubber.
• The official football is the same size and weight as the National Football League ball. Each ball is manufactured by Spalding, a division of Russell Corporation.
• Eight players on the field; 20-man active roster; 3-man inactive roster.
• Players play offense and defense with the exception of the kicker, quarterback, offensive specialist (the kick returner on defense) and two defensive specialists.

• Substitution: All non-specialists may substitute only once during each quarter.
• Four (4) offensive players must line up on the line of scrimmage.
• Three (3) defensive players must be down linemen (in a three- or four-point stance). One linebacker may blitz on either side of the center. Alignment is two (2) or more yards off the line of scrimmage. No stunting or twisting.
• Offensive motion: One receiver may go in forward motion before the snap.

• Four 15-minute quarters with a 15-minute halftime.
• The clock stops for out-of-bounds plays or incomplete passes only in the last minute of each half or when the referee deems it necessary for penalties, injuries or timeouts.
• Each team is allowed three (3) timeouts per half.
• Four (4) downs are allowed to advance the ball ten (10) yards for a first down, or to score.
• Six (6) points for a touchdown.
• One (1) point for a conversion by place kick after a touchdown, two (2) points for a conversion by drop kick and two (2) points for a successful run or pass after a touchdown.
• Three (3) points for a field goal by placement or four (4) points for a field goal by drop kick.
• Two (2) points for a safety.

• Kickoffs are from the goal line. Kickers may use a one-inch tee.
• Punting is illegal. On fourth down, a team may go for a first down, touchdown or field goal.
• The receiving team may field any kickoff or missed field goal that rebounds off the net.
• Any untouched kickoff which goes out of bounds will be placed at the 20-yard line or the place where it went out of bounds, whichever is more advantageous to the receiving team.
• Passing rules in Arena Football are the same as outdoor NCAA Football, in which receivers must have one foot inbounds. A unique exception involves the rebound nets. A forward pass that rebounds off of the end zone net is a live ball and is in play until it touches the playing surface.

• Overtime periods are 15 minutes during the regular season and the playoffs.
Each team gets one possession to score. If, after each team has had one possession, one team is ahead, that team wins. If the teams are tied after each has had a possession, the next team to score wins.
Ball in the Stands – When a ball is thrown or bounces into the seats surrounding the playing field, the “lucky” fan that catches the ball, keeps it. Although no official statistic has been recorded, it is estimated that the league gives away 15 to 20 balls per game.

Defensive Specialists – A pair of players, substituted for the quarterback and offensive specialist, who are the best “cover-men” on the team. Usually assigned to the opponents’ best receiver and offensive specialist.
Drop Kick – A field goal that is drop-kicked through the uprights is worth 4 points. An extra point attempt that is drop-kicked is worth 2 points.
Hometown Football – AFL’s marketing slogan launched during the 2002 season. Hometown Football signifies what AFL is all about, a regional league focusing on geographical rivalries and local players.
Ironman –Signifies participants playing both offense and defense.

“Mac and Jack” Linebackers – “Mac” may rush the QB straight-on, without stunting, twisting or drop-back coverage. “Jack” must stay within an imaginary box behind the line of scrimmage. Either linebacker may cover the fullback or tight end, but double-teaming is illegal. “Mac” typically plays fullback on offense while “Jack” plays wide receiver.
Offensive Motion – Unlike stadium-played football, one offensive back may go into forward motion prior to the snap of the ball.
Offensive Specialist – This player, substituted for one of the defensive specialists, usually plays wide receiver and kick returner. Simply one of the most dangerous players on the field, the offensive specialist typically is the first option on offense.

Rebound Nets – Goal-side rebound nets extend outward from each upright. The nets are approximately 30-feet wide by 32-feet high and extend to 40-feet above the playing surface. The bottom bars of the frames are positioned eight feet above the surface. Nets are stretched taut so a missed kick attempt will rebound off the net and back into the field of play. A ball is live when it caroms off the net.
Sideline Barriers – Similar to the sideboards that surround a hockey rink, the sideline barrier encircles the playing surface. The barrier is made of a high-density foam pad, measuring three inches thick. The sideline barriers are one to three feet beyond the field perimeter.

Stunting or Twisting – When a defensive lineman is rushing the passer, no “stunting” or “twisting” is allowed. In other words, linemen are required to power past offensive linemen straight-on.
Tight End –One offensive lineman must declare himself a tight end prior to the snap simply by raising his arm and “declaring” himself a tight end.

Two-Way Players – One of the primary “throwback” features of the Arena Football League is the fact that the game features eight-on-eight, single-platoon football, where six players on each team must play both offense and defense with limited substitutions.