AFL Rules vs. NIFL Rules

[sportsnut]

I logged on to the National Indoor Football League website, looked at its rulebook, and found it to be at least 52 pages long. Since I'm not located anywhere near an NIFL franchise, I want to ask the following question (s).
Are there any differences between the rules of the Arena Football League and the rules of the National Indoor Football League? If so, what are those differences? And do players in the NIFL play both offense and defense? Or do different players play on both sides of the ball?

[RED5LSU]

saw ur post, so this may be old news to u by now, but if not, read on.. the primary difference is that the rebound nets are patented by the AFL. it has a MAJOR impact on the 2 game styles. also, players in the AFL are REQUIRED to go both ways with excpetion of 2 players each on offense and defense. I reg attend both games (NO Voodoo and Landsharks) and can see the amazing difference and yet similarities. email me for more or check the arenafootball.com website,too. later, Ronnie

[oldschool]

Here's a summary of the NIFL rules (from a game program):

Field Size - 50 yards long by 25 yards wide

End Zones - Shall be a minimum of 5 2/3 yards in depth and may be
rounded due to hockey board cofigurations.

Goal Posts - 1' high from base to crossbar. Crossbar is 10'.

Number of players - Eight per team on the field at one time.

Playing Time - Four 15 minute quarters. Clock only stops for incomplete
passes and out of bounds during the final two minutes of the second and
fourth quarters.

Field Goals - All field goals are 3 points from any distance kicked from the
field. Drop kick field goal are worth 4 points.

Scoring - 6 points for a touchdown, 2 points for a run or pass conversion.
2 points for a defensive conversion following a touchdown. 2 points for a
safety and 1 point for (PAT) kick. On kickoff, if the receiving team does
not attempt to advance the ball out of the end zone, the kicking team will
receive 1 point. Dropkick on PAT = 1 point.

Backfield in motion - Three players may be in motion at the same time from behind the line of scrimmage.

Blitzing - Only one player can blitz at a time. The (blitzing) player must
raise his hand for the referee, and he can only blitz inside the tackles and center. There is no "Box" that a player must stay in on the defense or
offense.

Defensive Linemen - all must line up on the inside shoulder of the
offensive linemen. Players must rush inside if nose up, or slanted into if
shaded, and they must make contact before any movement to the outside
is made.

Kickoffs - if a kickoff goes into the opposing team's grandstand, or goes out of the opposing team's end zone, the ball comes out to the 25 yard line.

Offense - No punting. Offense must attempt to gain a first down or score
(touchdown of field goal)

Overtime - Each team will get two possessions from the 25 yard line to try
and score. If one team outscores the other on the first possession, the game is over. If still tied after each team has used their two possessions,
then there will be a 15 minute sudden death overtime with kickoff.

[Football Chick]

I went to my first AF2 game Saturday evening (Peoria vs Albany) and am wondering about why an offensive player had to raise his hand? Seemed like every offensive play, one of the linemen (and it wasn't a defensive player) raised his hand?? Maybe I was just seeing things because I didn't see a defensive player ever raise his hand.

I have to say I was pretty excited to see the plays off the back nets. It's one thing to see it on tv, but live it's even better!!

[Herk]

by raising his hand the OLineman is indicating that he is an eligable reciever (aka Tight end). this rule applies to both the AF2 and AFL.

[Football Chick]

Thanks Herk...I was thinking that, but had to make sure!!!

[Magnum357]

Just for the record, it looks like the IFL uses rules very similar too the Arena system. The only major exceptions is that the IFL doesn't use rebound nets and their Ironman rules are a little different. But overall, the style of game in the IFL is fairly similar too Arena Football.