AFL Rulebook 2026 Edition

Before any game, it's important to know how to set up an official AFL server. This ensures that the gameplay is played fairly & for a smooth experience. Either a Head Coach or Referee will create the server while adjusting the following settings:

Webhook

This is the most important step, in order to ensure game results & stats are shared with high ranks, referees or head coaches will need to have a webhook attached to their server settings. To get this webhook, you must be a head coach or referee. Receive it by contacting the operations executive team.

Team arrival

Games should start at the scheduled time, however, in the event of a delay, there are time limits to how much longer a delay can be prolonged.

• If Team A has less than 6 players after 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, Team B is given the option to either take the forfeit win, or prolong the delay longer to allow Team A more time to get players.
• If Team A & B both have less than 6 players after 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, the game will result in a two-way forfeit. Both teams may opt to schedule the game to a later time or day within the current week scheduling deadline.

Both Head coaches must be given admin permissions upon joining. In order to do this, the server owner will use the following command: :padmin [roblox-username]

Starting the server

Once both head coaches are ready, the server owner will start the game from Intro. Games have no reason to be starting more than 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Whether both head coaches are ready of not, the game must start by then.

First play

After kickoff concludes, the referee or either head coach will extend the play clock, using the command: :pclock 100. This will give both teams time to sort out positions on either offense or defense. No extra time can be given and the ball must be hiked before the 100 seconds expire.

Start of drives

Before the ball is hiked on the first play of a drive, either team can call "subs", "not ready" or "nr" to indicate they need more time to re-organize their lineup. The referee or head coach will execute the following command: :pclock 50

• If the defense calls subs, then the offense must wait until there are 10 seconds left on the play clock before hiking the ball. Unless the opposition states they're ready to indicate they're ready for the offense to hike the ball.

By default, we go by the game call or ruling. The only way to overturn a game call is if a challenge is called. It must fall under the applicable circumstances in order to be called.

If you feel like a challenge is warranted, you must use the following command before the ball is snapped: :challenge

Teams will have two blocking schemes to choose from, and will be differentiated by formations.

Centers cannot rollout / cross the line of scrimmage at all times.

• Tight ends must be up on the line of scrimmage before snap
• Wide receivers cannot lineup inside the hashes
• improperly lining up based off blocking formations (see details below)

When more than 3 players block on a play, or a tight end goes past their 5 YD limit (depending on blocking scheme)

If more than 3 players block, the offense must run the ball, if any attempt at throwing is made, the flag is thrown. Blocking is based on intention and referee discretion, clear intention to block a pass rusher will result in a flag.

It is important to ensure both head coaches are civil about penalties. Both teams are responsible for obeying the rulebook & going by the referee's call.

This occurs when the play clock expires before the ball can be hiked.

This occurs when either the offense or defense has more than 9 players on the field during a play.

This occurs when the receiver steps out of bounds before or after the ball is thrown & catches the pass.

• This also applies to defensive players & will still result in an incomplete play.

This occurs when a defensive end, who is lagging heavily, sacks the quarterback. Ways to determine if a sack was a lag sack, is to see if the defensive end falls down a few moments after the quarterback falls. As well as the distance the player was sacked from. This is a clear sign of a lag sack.

• If called, the defensive end will receive a lag warning. 3 will result in an ejection from the game

This occurs when the quarterback, while in the pocket, throws a pass with no receiver in the area. The ball must land within 15 yards of a eligible receiver.

• If the quarterback is outside of the pocket, a pass just has to be across the line of scrimmage to avoid a grounding call
• While in the air, if the ball crosses out of bounds, that is where the ball will be marked 'down'

This occurs when a receiver or defensive back rides atop of another players' head & catches the ball.

• If called on the offense, will result in a loss of down & ball spotted at the previous spot
• If called on the defense, will result in a spot penalty. Meaning the offense will get the ball where the interception occurred.

This occurs when a player uses the trucking mechanic during a play. Only during the following circumstances is trucking ok:

• Quarterback hands the ball off to a player (Runningback)
• Quarterback throws a backwards pass, allowing the running back to truck.

This occurs when a receiver dives after catching the ball behind the line of scrimmage.

• This applies to all screen / quick passes.
• Does not apply to passes over 20+ yards from distance between quarterback and receiver

The offense is forced to punt or kick a field goal if it is 4th & 7 or longer. This does not apply under 2 minutes in the 2nd or 4th quarter.

• Teams are not allowed to fake punts or field goals
• Teams may only onside once there is 3 minutes or less left in the game. Must be trailing & cannot onside while tied.

Pin kicks

Teams have the ability to announce pin kicks once per half, allowing the returning team to return the kickoff

• Will proceed as regular kickoff as per the game
• Must announce at least 3 seconds before kick
• Returning team can fumble

There are only specific circumstances where fumbles are allowed to occur:

• Quarterbacks can always fumble.
• Running backs can always fumble on running plays, and passes caught behind the line of scrimmage
• Defensive backs can only fumble if they've crossed the line of scrimmage during an interception return. Or in other cases, interecepting the ball on the opponents' side of the line of scrimmage & fumbling while returning.
• Kick or punt returners can always fumble, including onsides.
• Receiver catching a pass behind the line of scrimmage & fumbling while behind.

All defensive players are allowed to use the hit stick mechanic.

Teams are only allowed to waste time (or milk) for certain periods during the game.

• While the clock is running, the offense must hike the ball before the play clock runs under 10 seconds. If unable to, time will be added back to the game clock. This rule is dismissed if there is less than 1 minute remaining in the 2nd or 4th quarter.
• If the quarterback drops back more than 30 yards behind the line of scrimmage, the clock will stop & resume after the following snap.
• If a player gets tackled behind the line of scrimmage, the clock will stop (if in the 2nd or 4th quarter). This rule is dismissed if the offense is trailing.

11.1 OVERTIME FORMAT

Overtime shall be conducted using a sudden-death shootout format designed to ensure both teams receive an scoring opportunity.

• Each possession begins at the opponent's 35-yard line
• possessions alernate until a winner is determined
• the team that won the coin toss at the beginning of the game will receive the ball first in overtime

11.2 SCORING RESOLUTION

Overtime scoring follows a "match-or-beat" structure

• If Team A scores and Team B fails to match — game ends
• If Team A doesn't score and Team B scores — game ends
• Once a team outscores the other during their corresponding possession, the game is over
• Teams cannot attempt to kick field goals at any point in this period

11.3 POINT AFTER ATTEMPTS

The availability of point-after conversion attempts changes as overtime progresses:

• OT 1-3: Teams may not attempt a 1-point or 2-point conversion
• OT 4+: Teams may eelect to attempt a 1/2-point conversion; the responding team must match or beat the previous conversion attempt
• example: Team A scores & attempts a 1-point conversion. Team B scores & can decide to extend overtime with a 1-point conversion, or attempt a 2-point conversion and win the game. if Team B fails, the game is over & Team A wins

If at any point in the game a team leads by 40 or more points, the game will be called final.