The Field:
- Overall Dimensions = 114-120' x 50' (34.7-36.6m x 15.2m).
- Playing Field = 94-100' x 50' (28.7-30.5m x 15.2m).
- Goalposts = 7' (m) with no crossbar above the ground.
- End Zone = extends 10' (3.05m) from endline.
- Length of Match = 4 5-minute Quarters; When play is unduly delayed, such as the ball going out of the playing area, the clock is stopped and time is not added on similar to american football.
- Both teams have unlimited substitutions; Substitutions only at stoppages in play but not used to hold up play.
- Ball = any American or Canadian football.
- 4-a-side (1 Forward, 2 Midfielders, 1 Back); 8 reserves (2 Forwards, 3-5 Midfielders, 4-5 Backs) for a total of 12 players on the roster.
- All players must stay with their zones (Forwards = in front of the center line; Midfielders = anywhere except the end zones; Defenders = behind the center line).
- Ball-ups occur at the Center Line.
- Only 1 Midfielder from each team may attempt to catch the ball.
- A player may not grab the ball at the ball-up and play on; They must knock or palm the ball and cannot play the ball again until it has been touched by another player.
- At the start of play and after each goal, the other two midfielders must lineup on the center circle; All other players must line up on the 40 yard lines.
- After any score, the ball is taken to the center and restarted via a ball-up.
- Running with the ball; However, both midfielders cannot run with the ball over the center line as they must pass the ball across by either 1) handballing (striking the ball in manner similar to a volleyball serve), 2) throwing, or 3) kicking the ball.
- Passing/Kicking the ball in any direction; Kicking the ball off the ground is not allowed.
- Handballing (a player holds the ball stationary with one hand and punches the ball with the clenched fist of the other hand; similar to volleyball); To handball correctly, the hand holding the ball must not move relative to the player's body.
- A player may hold the ball for an unlimited time when he is not being held by an opponent.
- A player lying on or over the ball is considered to be in possession.
- A player in possession of the ball and held by an opponent must dispose of the ball immediately by kicking or handballing the ball.
- If the ball is dropped by a team-mate or opponent, it is play on.
- The co-ed version of the game is non-contact, with the tackle being replaced by a touch or flags; the co-ed version must have at least 5 females on the field at any one time.
- When a player is touched by an opponent, he/she has a maximum of 5 seconds to dispose of the ball by either 1) handballing, 2) throwing, or 3) kicking the ball; If the player fails to dispose of the ball within this period, possession will be awarded to the other team.
- When the ball goes out of bounds by either foot or hand, the nearest opponent shall kick or throw the ball in.
- If there is doubt as to which team forced the ball out of bounds, the umpire shall throw the ball up.
- players can choose to play a contact version of the game at their own discretion.
- Following an unsuccessful kick/throw at goal.
- When an opposing player intercepts a pass.
- When the player in possession drops the ball and it is recovered by an opposition player.
- After the 4th consecutive tackle/touch/flag pull, either 1) an automatic handover takes place or 2) the defense turned offense receives a free kick/throw in the zone where the tackle took place.
- The referees make sure the game is played according to the rules. There are 3 types of referees.
- Field Referees: 1 Field referee controls the game by paying free kicks, marks, 30yd penalties and instructing the players what to do in most situations.
- Boundary Referees: 2 Boundary referees decide when the ball is out of bounds or out of bounds on the full. When the ball is out of bounds they throw the ball back into play by throwing it over their head.
- Goal Referees: 1 Goal referee at each end of the ground who decide if a goal or safety has been scored.
- Pushing an opponent in the back.
- Tackling an opponent around the neck or below the knees.
- Being tackled fairly by your opponent and then dropping the ball.
- Being tackled by your opponent when you don't have the ball.
- Kicking the ball out of bounds on the full.
- Running with the ball outside of your respective zone.
- Tripping or kicking an opponent.
- Arguing with, disputing the decision of, or using abusive language towards a referee.
- Failing to return the ball quickly and on the full to a player who has been awarded a free kick.
- Wasting time, deliberately or inadvertently, by kicking the ball forward after one's team has conceded a free kick.
- Using unnecessary roughness against a player.
- If any referee sees or hears any of these things, an instant penalty & free kick/throw at the goal line will be given; All fouls will either result in either a yellow or orange card.
- A yellow card means a 10-minute suspension; A orange card means a player is thrown out the game.
- Field Goal (2): A kick or throw into the goalpost; All throws must be made from outside of the end zone.
- Safety (1): A safety occurs in the following circumstances; 1) A forward touches the ball to the ground in the end-zone similar to a try in rugby, 2) if a back is tackled by a forward (if the defense has recovered possession of the ball) in the end-zone, or 3) a forward is tackled by a defender in the end-zone before they can score a field goal or safety. Scenarios # 1& 2 award points to the offense, while scenario #3 awards points to the defense.
- Required = AFL jersey, shorts, shoes/cleats (rubber only), soccer shin guards, and mouth guard.
- Optional = rugby headgear and american football gloves.
- Similar to rugby, both teams must wear their dark color uniforms during games unless either 1) the teams share similar colors or 2) if someone is colorblind; If that is the case, the designated home team will wear their dark color uniforms and the away team will wear either 1) their lighter color uniforms or 2) an alternative darker color uniform.
- Uniform # System: Defenders = 65-99 / Midfielders = 32-64 / Forwards = 00-31.
- 8 & Under (Same for 6 & Under) = Goal (6' wide & 4' crossbar), Field Size (56yds x 35yds + 6yd endzones), Match Format (5 vs 5 & 8-minute quarters),
- 10 & Under = Goal (12’ wide & 6' crossbar), Field Size (80yds x 40yds + 8yd endzones), Match Format (7 vs 7 & 10-minute quarters).
- 12 & Under = Goal (18’ wide & 8' crossbar), Field Size (100yds x 40yds + 10yd endzones), Match Format (9 vs 9 & 10-minute quarters).
- Junior High School = Goal (23’4" wide & 10' crossbar), Field Size (100yds x 50yds + 10yd endzones), Match Format (11 vs 11 & 12-minute halves).
- High School & College = Goal (23’4" wide & 10' crossbar), Field Size (100yds x 50yds + 10yd endzones), Match Format (11 vs 11 & 15-minute quarters).
- Each team has unlimited substitutions for each half and at the halftime break (from 6 & Under to College).