FFL Bylaws & Regulations

1.1 Game Day Rules

The Forge Football League (FFL) adheres to the former National Football League (NFL) ruleset for all

in-game play. Notably, the FFL does not implement the dynamic kickoff format and point after attempt field

goals are to be kicked from the 3 yard line. All team owners and head coaches are responsible for ensuring

their assigned officiating crew is fully informed of the NFL ruleset in use, and must provide each official with a

copy of the official FFL league rules. The FFL does not recognize or implement a 'Mercy Rule' under any

circumstances.

1.2 Game Balls

All game balls must conform to official NFL size standards. Use of non-regulation footballs is strictly

prohibited. Balls must be inspected by both team owners and the officiating crew prior to kickoff. Each ball

must be inflated to the standard PSI of 12.5. The use of an ineligible ball will result in an automatic forfeit by

the offending team.

1.3 Game Scheduling and Announcements

All game promotional materials (flyers) must prominently feature the FFL logo. Flyers must not contain

gang-related symbols, offensive language, or negative content. Game announcements must be posted

weekly on the official and active Facebook page of the participating team. Game times may be mutually

agreed upon by team owners. Once game day information is submitted, changes are only permitted with

express approval from the league owner and must include 24-hour advance notice and a valid justification.

Games may not commence earlier than 2:00 PM or later than 7:00 PM. Teams must consider the travel time

of visiting organizations when scheduling games. A 30-minute grace period may be granted under the

leagues exemption policy. Games must begin at the announced start time unless the grace period is formally

approved. Game cancellations must be submitted no less than 24 to 48 hours in advance to avoid forfeit

status. Acceptable exemptions include severe weather, unforeseen travel disruptions, or delayed arrival of

officials. All night games must ensure the venue's lighting system is programmed to activate 15 minutes

before sunset.

1.4 ID Verification

Any team subject to an ID verification must receive a 24-hour notice to ensure all players have acceptable

identification available. Unscheduled or 'pop-up' ID checks are not permitted. Acceptable forms of

identification include: State-issued ID, Military ID, Work ID, TWIC Card, or Law Enforcement ID. ID checks

must be completed prior to kickoff. No player is permitted to enter the field once the game has commenced.

ID checks must be conducted using the official online roster available through the leagues website.

1.5 Venue and Personnel Preparedness

Games shall not proceed unless venue security, the team owner, and coaching staff are all present and

accounted for. Each team must arrive fully prepared with all required equipment. Sharing of equipment,

including footballs, helmets, and pads, is strictly prohibited. Fields must meet regulation standards, including

appropriate dimensions, proper mowing, and field markings. Synthetic turf fields are acceptable. Sidelines

must remain clear of spectators. Only players, coaches, athletic trainers, hydration specialists, and accredited

media personnel are permitted within the team area. Commissioners are required to remain in designated

areas (bleachers or press box) unless specifically requested to the sideline by a team owner or head coach.

They must wear their league-issued identification badges at all times. Spectators must remain a minimum of

30 to 50 feet away from the sideline. All hosting teams are required to use the home team sideline; no

exceptions are permitted. Teams are strongly encouraged to have a designated statistician on the sideline.

1.6 Timekeeping, Goal Posts, Chain Crew and Staff Guidelines

Clocks are optional during the regular season. If used, the official responsible for timekeeping must be

identified and agreed upon by both head coaches before the start of the game. Clocks are mandatory during

all playoff games and cannot be modified or stopped arbitrarily. Goalposts are not mandatory but are strongly

encouraged. If unavailable, a two-point conversion will take the place of a field goal attempt. Each game must

have an active chain crew composed of individuals aged 16 or older, present for the entirety of the game.

Team staff including owners, coaches, general managers, statisticians, hydration specialists, and media

personnel must be listed on the official team roster and reflected on the leagues website. Team chants must

be free of profanity and vulgar content. All music played at games or used in promotional materials must be

clean and suitable for a family-friendly environment.

1.7 Game Entry and Exit Protocols

Teams must park in separate designated areas. At no point should team members approach the opposing

team's sidelines, warm-ups, or team huddles. Upon the conclusion of the game, teams are encouraged to

meet at midfield for a post-game handshake. Teams must not approach the opponents sideline or individual

players following the game. Teams should enter the handshake line led by a coach at the front, center, and

rear of the line. No player should approach midfield individually. Each team is responsible for cleaning their

designated area including sidelines, changing areas, and parking lots prior to departure. The hosting team

must remain on site for at least 15 minutes after the game ends to allow the visiting team to vacate the

parking area.

1.9 Social Media and Team Platforms

All FFL teams are required to maintain a current and public Facebook page. All social

media and web content must clearly reflect the teams affiliation with the FFL. Maintaining a team website is

highly recommended.

1.10 Officiating Crew Requirements

The FFL does not possess the authority to overturn decisions made by officiating crews unless the issue

involves violence. Any member found threatening or assaulting an official, verbally or physically, will be

subject to immediate suspension or expulsion depending on the severity of the offense. Only head coaches

may communicate with officials. Players, owners, and positional coaches are strictly prohibited from

protesting calls and may be ejected for violations. If an owner or coach is an active player during a game,

they forfeit their right to issue challenges or address officials. All referees must be certified at the high school

level or higher, and must possess knowledge of or be willing to learn the NFL ruleset. Each team must

provide at least three certified officials in proper uniform on game day. Failure to do so will result in a forfeited

game.

2.0 Uniformity Policy

Players must wear full, matching uniforms, including jersey, pants, and helmet. Tights may not be worn in

place of regulation football pants. Uniforms may not be altered in any way (e.g., cut or slashed). Jerseys must

display legible numbers on both the front and back, ranging only from 0 to 99. Each player must retain the

same jersey number as listed on the official team roster throughout the season. Should any jersey or pant

become damaged, it must be replaced immediately. Helmets must be worn with chin straps fastened

throughout the duration of the game. Shoulder pads are mandatory. All teams must possess both light and

dark uniforms to distinguish between home and away games. Player names on jerseys must not include

vulgarity, gang-affiliated references, or offensive nicknames. Metal cleats are strictly prohibited. If two players

wear the same jersey number, they may not be on the field simultaneously. Any player who removes their

uniform during the game for non-medical reasons will be considered ineligible and ejected if they return to

play. Players found non-compliant will be removed immediately and fined $25 per offense. Continued

violations may result in team forfeiture.

2.1 Player Code of Conduct

Owners or coaches who choose to participate as players must designate a Game Day Representative (GDR)

to manage team operations and communications throughout the game. The appointed representative must

demonstrate professionalism and will be jointly held accountable for team conduct. All players must be

registered through the leagues website before the start of Week One. Once registered, players are officially

bound to their teams unless a transfer request is made prior to Week One. Post-deadline transfers require

written approval from the team or league owner. The registration fee is $5.00 and is non-refundable.

Championship team players are exempt from the fee but must still register via the designated 'Champions

Bypass Portal.' Failure to register or submit payment by the deadline will result in immediate removal from the

league. Players must be at least 18 years old (17 if they have completed high school). Active FFL players

may not simultaneously appear on any other teams roster in developmental, semi-professional, arena, or

professional leagues. Players are prohibited from switching teams after the first week of regular season play.

Players must maintain respectful conduct at all times and exhibit good sportsmanship. No contact is

permitted between players and referees outside of standard gameplay communication. Gang-related activity,

language, or affiliations are strictly forbidden. Any player found to have committed a 'dirty hit' or exhibited

excessive force may be permanently removed from the FFL, contingent on video evidence. Members visiting

another teams tryouts or games must behave respectfully and remain in spectator areas unless given VIP

access. Only verified free agents are allowed to attend other teams' tryouts. Verified free agents are

individuals who have announced their status publicly on the league page or informed the league owner

directly. Members found attending tryouts under false pretenses or with disruptive intentions will be asked to

leave and may face league sanctions. FFL members may not participate in more than one closed team chat

or private league group simultaneously. Declared free agents must leave prior chats upon announcement.

2.2 Betting Policy

Wagering on FFL games is strictly prohibited. Any member found to have placed a bet will face a one-game

suspension. A second offense will result in immediate expulsion from the league.

2.3 Roster Lock and Practice Squad Policy

All players must be listed on the teams official roster under their legal name as shown on government-issued

identification. No players may be added after roster lock deadlines. Each team may roster a maximum of 60

players, with a minimum requirement of 20 active players throughout the season. Players must appear in at

least four regular season games to be eligible for playoffs or championship participation. Exemptions apply

for military, fire, and police personnel. Teams showing up with fewer than 20 players will be placed under

league review and may face removal due to safety concerns. Preliminary rosters must be submitted prior to

Week One; final rosters are due by Sunday at 5:00 PM following Week Three. Non-FFL players may be

added through Saturday at 11:59 PM of Week Three. Practice rosters may include up to 15 inactive players.

Inactive players may compete in outside leagues with team approval, but must resign from those leagues

upon being activated. Inactive players may only be activated if a current active player is removed or suffers a

season-ending injury. The league must be informed immediately to maintain roster accuracy. If an inactive

player participates without formal activation, the team will incur a forfeit for all games in which the player

appeared.

2.4 Ineligible Player Violations

The use of ineligible players will result in an automatic forfeit. Ineligible players include those who are

unregistered, listed on multiple rosters, compensated for play, suspended or ejected players, or those added

after the roster deadline. Inactive players who are not formally reactivated by the league may not participate

in games. Referees are not permitted to play for any team in the league.

2.5 Forfeitable Games

The league reserves the right to alter the schedule on a case-by-case basis to prevent forfeitures. Affected

teams will be notified by the Wednesday before the scheduled game. No team will be required to travel

beyond a 100-mile radius as a result of such changes. Owners must report potential forfeits prior to game

kickoff. Any forfeiture due to unpreparedness, no-shows (excluding extreme weather or emergencies),

altercations, or short-notice cancellations may require reimbursement of up to $500 to the opposing team,

contingent upon submission of documented expenses. Expense documentation must be submitted online

within 24 hours and approved by the league. Once approved, the responsible party will have two weeks to

remit payment directly to the opposing team. Failure to satisfy financial obligations will result in immediate

removal from the league. A team with two forfeited games will be removed from the league for the remainder

of the season. If a team granted a forfeit victory scores 21 or more points in the game, the actual score will

stand. If the team scores fewer than 21 points, the score will default to 21-0.

3.0 Makeup Games

Each team may reschedule up to two regular season games under the following conditions, subject to league

approval: Permissible reasons include: extreme weather, unplayable field conditions, road hazards,

accidents, or the death of a league member.

3.1 Games Called Early

If 50% or more of a game has been played at the time of cancellation, the leading team will be declared the

winner. If less than 50% of the game has been completed, the game must be rescheduled and resumed from

the point at which it was stopped. If a rescheduled game cannot be played, the team that was leading at the

time of cancellation will be declared the winner.

3.2 Fighting, Harassment, and Threats

The FFL enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding violence and threats of bodily harm. Possession of

weapons at league events by unauthorized individuals will result in immediate expulsion and blacklisting. If

either team clears the sideline during an altercation and individual offenders cannot be identified, the entire

team will be expelled from the league. Authorities will be notified and legal action pursued as warranted.

Fighting, regardless of whether a player initiates or retaliates, will result in a double loss and both teams will

be sent home with the game deemed a forfeit. This policy applies if four or fewer players are involved. If

entire teams clear the sidelines, the aforementioned expulsion policy applies. A second fighting offense will

result in immediate expulsion from the league. Members must not intervene physically in altercations. Only

security personnel and law enforcement are authorized to manage such incidents. Threats, harassment, or

use of derogatory or violent language directed at other members or league officials will result in immediate

banning and blacklisting.

3.3 Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs

Use of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited at FFL events, including in parking areas. Violations will result in

a $100 fine for a first offense. A second offense will result in a permanent ban from the league. The FFL

maintains a family-friendly environment at all times and expects members to act accordingly.

4.0 Social Media Policy

Any post deemed inappropriate will be immediately removed. The posting member will be removed from the

league's official page for the remainder of the season and fined $25. A second offense will result in

permanent removal from all league communication platforms. The following conduct is strictly prohibited on

both league and personal/team-affiliated platforms: threats, derogatory or disrespectful commentary,

vulgarity, hate speech, gang-related content, and league bashing. No one is permitted to create pages,

websites, chats, or groups claiming affiliation with the FFL without league authorization. Owners who are also

players may not participate in the official owners chat. A designated non-player representative must be added

in their place. This chat is for official league business only. Disruptive behavior will result in removal from the

chat and replacement by another staff member.

4.1 Rankings

The FFL Board will vote on an official 'Power Ranking' before games are played. These rankings are subject

to change throughout the season based on team performance.

5.0 Suspensions and Ejections

Each member is allowed only one suspension per season. A second infraction will result in expulsion for the

remainder of the season. Any owner or coach who is suspended will automatically serve a two-game

suspension as a standard consequence. Suspended or banned individuals may not attend any FFL events

while their penalty is active. Any member ejected from a game must leave the premises immediately and will

serve a one-game suspension at their next scheduled contest. All suspensions and ejections will be posted

publicly on the league website.

6.0 Fees and Fines

All league fees must be paid in accordance with deadlines outlined during the enrollment process and

reinforced within the leagues official bylaws.

Annual League Events

All official league events including the Championship Game are subject to the rules and regulations set forth in

the FFL Bylaws.

Playoffs and Championship Provisions

All regular season rules remain in effect for playoff and championship games, with the following additions: No

Grace period will be granted without prior approval from the league. Only players who have participated in at

least four regular season games are eligible for playoff or championship games, excluding police, fire, and

military personnel. Roster checks are mandatory and must be completed prior to kickoff. Late-arriving players

will not be permitted to check in or participate. No time manipulation or clock-running is permitted during

playoff or championship games.