Football Basics

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 Equipment
The official football is the same size and weight as the National Football League ball. Spalding manufactures each ball.

The Players and Formations
Eight players on the field, 20 man active roster and four-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 of 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: Once receiver may go in forward motion before the snap.

Timing
Four “15-minute” quarters with a “15-minute” halftime. (Games on NBC will have a 12-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) time-outs per half.

Movement Of The Ball And Scoring
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, two (2) points for 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 and two (2) points for a safety.

The Kicking
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 kickoff untouched, which is 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
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 Rules
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. PLAYOFF QUALIFICATION, SELECTION OF TEAMS

The rank order for teams qualifying to participate in playoffs will be established by utilizing the following formula:

Playoff Format
Division Champion is not guaranteed a playoff berth. Seeding will be by overall record using current tiebreaker rules. Only the Division Champion takes precedent over another division opponent in all tiebreaker situations.

Tiebreakers to determine Division Champion

1. Record in head-to-head games.

2. Record within the division.

3. Record against common opponents.

4. Margin of victory in head-to-head games.

5. Margin of victory in games against common opponents.

6. Coin toss.

(Clarification: Any non-Division Champion is not included in any tiebreaker, of which their own Division Champion is a part, until that Division Champion has been seeded)

The First-Round format is as follows:

No. 8 seed @ No. 1 seed

No. 7 seed @ No. 2 seed

No. 6 seed @ No. 3 seed

No. 5 seed @ No. 4 seed

The Semifinals format is as follows:

Lowest remaining seed @ highest remaining seed

“Second-lowest” remaining seed @ “second-highest” remaining seed.

The two remaining teams will compete in Arena Bowl XVIII, which will be played at the home venue of the highest remaining seed.

Tie-Breaking Procedures
If, at the end of the regular season and after Division Champions are determined, two or more clubs are tied with identical won-lost percentages, the following steps will be followed to determine playoff seeds.

Two Clubs
1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).

2. Point differential in those head-to-head games.

3. Best “won-lost” percentage in common games, if applicable.

4. Strength of schedule (strength up).

5. Best net (total) touchdowns in all games.

6. Coin toss.

Three Or More Clubs
If two clubs remain tied after a third club is eliminated during any step, tiebreaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format. If one team wins multiple-team tiebreaker to advance to playoff round, remaining teams revert to step 1 of the two-club format.

(All teams must have played head-to-head for step 1 to be utilized in a multiple-team tie)

1. Head-to-head (best won-lost percentage in games among clubs).

2. “Best won-lost” percentage in common games, if applicable.

3. Strength of schedule (strength up).

4. Best net (total) touchdowns in all games.

5. Coin toss.

posted by Anonymous @ 9:39 AM

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