Arena Football, what is it?

Question

OK, I am prepared for people to make fun of me, but....here goes. I live in Alaska. The state is starting an Arena Football League. I asked a few people just what that was. Is it like semi-pro or what? These people just rolled their eyes and said I must not be too into football. I have not been, but Alaska has never had any type of team like that. I bought a T-shirt at the fair (a team t-shirt) and I want to be supportive of our first team. I found a lot of sites on Arena Football but nothing giving me a definition.

Thank you all in advance.

Answer 1

The game is similar to NFL football, but it's played indoors on a field half the size of an NFL field (it's only 50 yards long). Emphasis in the gameplay is on passing, and the games are very fast-paced. From a fan's standpoint, the games are like parties, because there's usually a block party outside the arena before each game, and they play all kinds of cool music in-between plays. For more on the basics, go to the official league website and explore; I've given you the link below. Have fun!

Answer 2

It's football that's played indoors on a 50 yard long field with 8 yd endzones by 8-man squads instead of the customary 11. There are several rules that are far different from what you're used to seeing in the 11-man game, so keep researching or Googling Arena Football and you should find a site that has a condensed version of the rules and such.

Answer 3

This is what I know. Arena Football is played indoors in existing facilities or arenas with different physical specifications than a normal football field. It is played in a similar manner to regular football. Arena football is a professional league with a championship and everything. I know there is a team in Detroit for example and it HAS to be better than the Detroit Lions!

Answer 4

It is like the NFL, but it is different.
The NFL is 100 yards.
In Arena Football is 50 yards.

For more info read below it.


Rules


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The Field
An indoor padded surface 85 feet wide and 50 yards long with eight-yard endzones.
Goal posts are nine-feet wide with a crossbar height of 15 feet (NFL goalposts are 18 1/2 wide with the crossbar at 10 feet).
The goalside rebound nets are 30 feet wide by 32 feet high. The bottom 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. Each ball is manufactured by Wilson Sporting Goods.

The Players and Formations
Eight players on the field; 20-man active roster; 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 a receiver may go in forward motion before the snap.


Timing
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) 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 and 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.
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 its 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 endzone 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 and one team is ahead, that team wins. If the teams are tied after each has had a possession, the next team to score wins.

Answer 5

not a silly Q at all.. how are you expected to know right?

It is indoor football basically, and the rules are a wee bit different. And they play only other arena football teams, you wont see any regular outdoor NFL teams playing your guys =) *darn huh*

Best of luck, hope you team does well =)

Answer 6

First, would the game be played on the 50-yard AFL turf, or the 100 yard NCAA turf? Second, would the rules be that there can be no motion toward the line of scrimmage (AFL uses motion). I believe that the NCAA players would win in either situation because there is a lot more skill in NCAA than there is in the AFL. The NFL basically uses the NCAA as a "farm system" and in the past, the AFL has wanted to partner with the NFL to be their primary "farm system" and the NFL said no.

Answer 7

Arena football was developed for good players who aren't quite good enough to play pro ball.

Answer 8

This is the only place I can answer you, coz you dont have email, anyways, she is sick so I havent seen her since I asked first.

Answer 9

it is pretty much football but inside

Answer 10

its indoor football, rules are different.