IFAF Rules Committee

IFAF Rules Committee

IFAF Football Rules and Interpretations: 2026 edition

Rule change 2026 summary document (PDF)

Front sections	Adobe PDF
Foreword and Table of Contents	PDF
Rules changes for this year	PDF
Points of Emphasis	PDF
The Football Code	PDF
Rules and interpretations
Introduction	PDF

Rule 1 The Game, Field, Players and Equipment	PDF
Rule 2 Definitions	PDF
Rule 3 Periods, Time Factors and Substitutions	PDF
Rule 4 Ball in Play, Dead Ball, Out of Bounds	PDF
Rule 5 Series of Downs, Line to Gain	PDF
Rule 6 Kicks	PDF
Rule 7 Snapping and Passing the Ball	PDF
Rule 8 Scoring	PDF
Rule 9 Conduct of Players and Others Subject to Rules	PDF
Rule 10 Penalty Enforcement	PDF
Rule 11 The Officials, Jurisdiction and Duties	PDF
Rule 12 Instant Replay	PDF

Tail sections
Summary of Penalties	PDF
Officials' Signals	PDF
Appendices A-C Guidelines for Serious On-Field Player Injury Lightning Guidelines Concussion Guidelines	PDF PDF PDF
Appendix D Field Diagrams and Notes for groundsmen	PDF
Appendix E Equipment Guidelines	PDF
Rules Application	PDF
A-Z index of Rules	PDF

Single file
Download the entire rulebook	PDF

The online copy will incorporate any corrections identified after the printed version has gone to press.

This also shows differences between IFAF and British American Football Association (BAFA) rules.