Players and Teams

  • 5 men on a side on the field
  • Team rosters consist of 11 active players.  Teams may also have 2 players on an "Inactive List" if they so choose.

Field Size and First Downs

  • The field measures 50 yards from goal line to goal line.
  • End zones are 8 yards deep.
  • Field width depends on facility limitations, but is between 75 and 99 feet.
  • First downs are achieved by advancing the ball beyond each 15 yard line.
  • Teams have 4 downs to advance to the next first down line or to score.

Scoring

  • Touchdowns scored as the result of rushing plays (no forward passes during the down) that begin on or beyond the defensive team's 10 yard line are worth 7 points.
  • All other touchdowns, regardless of how they are scored, are worth 6 points.
  • Safeties result in 2 points being awarded to the defensive team.
  • Following touchdowns, a team can try for 1, 2 or 3 points.  Should the scored-upon team legally gain possession of the ball during a try attempt however, they can score a Defensive Return worth an identical number of points.
  • Under certain conditions, a kicking team may score one point (known as a "Single").

Blocking Rules

  • Body frame contact blocking is permitted on scrimmage downs (not on kickoffs, punts, or any play in which a change of team possession occurs) between offensive and defensive players.  This type of blocking is restricted however to the neutral zone - a five yard area between the offensive and defensive lines of scrimmage.
  • Screen blocking is permitted on any play, at any point on the field.

Game Duration and Time Outs

  • Game duration is 36 minutes, divided into two, 18-minute halves.
  • The game clock runs continuously until 1 minute remains in each half, after which special "one minute" timing rules (similar to NFL two-minute rules) go into effect.
  • Until the 1-minute warning, the clock does not stop for anything other than a team or official's time out.
  • Each team has 4 time outs per game, which may be taken at any time during the game.

Overtime Shootout

  • Games tied at the end of regulation time enter an "Overtime Shootout" in an effort to determine a winner.
  • In the Overtime Shootout, each team gets the ball on its opponent's 15 yard line, and has one scrimmage down to score the equivalent of either a 2- or 3-point conversion.
  • There are no extra point tries during an Overtime Shootout.
  • Each Overtime Shootout round consists of one offensive play per team (unless the defensive team scores, making an offensive play unnecessary).
  • If Team A scores on its possession and Team B fails to do so (or should Team A score more points than their opponents), the game ends with Team A as the winner.  Should Team B intercept a Team A pass and returns it for a score, the game ends with Team B as the winner.
  • If both teams score an equal number of points (or if neither scores), a second round is conducted.  In regular season play, a maximum of 3 rounds are conducted; if a winner isn't determined after the third round, the game ends tied.  In postseason play, rounds continue until a winner is determined.

Season Length and Playoff Eligibility

  • Each team plays a minimum 8 game regular season (10 are scheduled if facility access permits), with playoffs for those teams that qualify.
  • To be eligible to participate in the IFFL postseason, a player must have participated in a minimum of one-half of his team's games that season.