AFL Questions & Answers

Here are some common game situations and strategies as well as common questions about Arena football and the AFL-style game.

Why do teams pass the ball so much?

The field is much smaller so there is less room to run the ball. Defensive linemen and linebackers are too close to the line of scrimmage and don't have to cover a lot of distance to tackle the ballcarrier. Also, one receiver is allowed in forward motion before the snap and that makes it easier for quarterbacks to find open receivers.

What are the timing and clock rules?

The game is played with a running clock which is only stopped for timeouts and for penalties to be called. During the final minute of each half, normal outdoor football rules are in effect and the clock will stop on incompletions and out-of-bounds plays. The play clock is 35 seconds.

How do the nets come into play in Arena Football?

The ball is always in play when bouncing off a net on a kickoff, field goal attempt or pass play. The wider nets on the sides of the goalposts are called rebound nets and the smaller net between the goalposts is a slack net.

What are some of the common offensive plays?

Most teams use a common set of passing plays including crossing routes, which are shorter diagonal routes across the field, comeback and hook routes, where a receiver runs forward then makes a quick turn to catch the ball, and fly or post routes, which are deep routes towards the end zone. When running the ball, teams often toss the ball to a receiver in motion or just rush for a short gain for a first down.

What are some of the common defensive plays?

The defense is limited by having to follow certain rules about coverages and play formations. The defensive linemen must be perfectly aligned with the offensive linemen, they can't line up to the side of a lineman. Not being aligned will result in a penalty for shading. There are two linebackers, the jack and mac linebackers. The jack linebacker needs to stay within five yards of the line of scrimmage until the quarterbacks throws the ball or until the ball is handed off to a runningback. The mac linebacker can move anywhere. Defensive backs usually line up in man to man coverage with the receivers. Teams rarely blitz and often play man to man defensive coverages.

What happened to two-way players?

They used to be more common but now there are free substitutions so players are only involved with one position. This helps them stay healthy for the game and for the season. A few players do play on both offense and defense and sometimes a player will be brought in on special teams.

Are there any special scoring rules?

The scoring is the same for touchdowns, field goals, safeties and extra points. The only exception is the drop kick, which is worth two points on extra points and four points on field goals. Drop kicks are when the ball is dropped to the ground and kicked off the bounce in the air. The last successful kick occured two seasons ago.

What happens on fourth down?

Teams will either try to make a first down or attempt a field goal. If a team is in a long yardage situation, they are more likely to go for the field goal, otherwise pass plays occur frequently. Punting is not allowed, but a team can intentionally miss a field goal and force a short return, then the opposing team will start their possession with bad field position.

What are some strategies on kickoffs and field goals in the AFL?

Since the goalposts are half the width and five feet higher than regulation size, field goals are much harder to make and teams usually attempt them when inside opponent's territory (40 yards or less). On kickoffs, having the ball deflect off the goalposts or crossbar will result in an unpredictable bounce, making it difficult for returns. Kicks bouncing off the slack nets (smaller nets) will sometimes go into the stands for a touchback.

Why do teams attempt onside kicks?

This happens more often than in outdoor football. Even if a team isn't losing late in the game, onside kicks still occur regularly. During the last minute of a half, after a score, an onside kick may be attempted and a quick score will be allowed so a team can get the ball back again. For example, a team is up by 7, they attempt an onside kick and allow a score, they get the ball with a chance to go up by 7 again, instead of the game being tied. This can also be used as a surprise tactic.

How much does defense come into play when there is a lot of scoring?

Since touchdowns occur on the majority of possessions, just making four or five defensive stops, one per quarter, is enough to win most games. Forcing interceptions and fumbles change the momentum of a game and allow teams to build leads or come back from defecits. The most successful franchises, including the San Jose Sabercats and Orlando Predators, constantly are among the league leaders in scoring and total defense.

Are there any special penalties or rule changes?

On pass plays, balls off the nets or sideline barriers are in play until they hit the ground. There are defensive penalties for shading (linemen not aligned properly), illegal formation ( jack linebacker moving more than five yards past the line of scrimmage), and kick catch interference (not giving five yards of space for the opposing team to return a field goal or kickoff).

Why are the rules designed to give the offense a big advantage?

Arena football is designed to create lots of excitement, energy, and fast-paced games. This is why the field is only 50 yards and games are so high scoring.

How can defenses adjust or react to the rules and format of the game?

They can contain receivers by playing tight coverage and having defensive backs jamming them at the line of scrimmage. Solid tackling and limiting yards after the catch is also important. Pressuring the quarterback and forcing him to scramble and forcing receivers to adjust their routes will put offenses out of sync.

How has the Arena Football League expanded in recent years?

There is television coverage on ESPN 2 and streaming Internet coverage on the league website. The number of fans in attendance has increased year after year. The AF2, the development league, insures that more quality players will become involved in arena football and hopefully will perform in the AFL.

What are some reasons to watch arena football?

The games are fun and very exciting. Fans can become involved because any ball that goes into the stands is a souveneir. Most arenas are energetic atmospheres and feature fast-paced, high-scoring games.

By Chad Fukoka
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer

> Check out Chad's Arena Football Rules & AFL Basics article and see how your team is doing in the 2008 AFL standings as AFL teams continue to battle for a chance to play in Arena Bowl XXII!