INTERLOCK FOOTBALL BY-LAWS 2026
League Operations
A. Playing Seasons - IFL football operations are divided into (2) distinct playing seasons; Spring (typically April-May) and Fall (typically July-Dec). Collectively, these two playing seasons provide a year-round football experience for customers.
B. Spring Football – The IFL Spring football season is geared toward non-contact football play. Children ages 7-14 participate in 7-on-7 non-contact football; and, children ages 4-6 participate in flag football. Special emphasis is also placed on fitness and conditioning, and special skills training during the Spring season.
C. Fall Football – The IFL Fall football season offers a combination of contact and non-contact football. Children ages (6 optional) 7-12 participate in full-contact tackle football; and, children ages 4-6 participate in flag football.
Coaching
A. Head Coach - Each team shall have a Head Coach, who shall be responsible for managing the team at all IFL games and other IFL functions, in accordance with established standard operating procedures. The Head Coach must make sure all volunteers on their team have an approved application, identification badge and criminal background check (if over 18 years old) on file before participating in any IFL function. If an unauthorized volunteer is found on a team’s sideline during an official game acting in a coaching or Team Manager capacity, Head Coach will be suspended for the following game. Multiple violations of the above rules could lead to the dismissal of the Head Coach. The Head Coach is also responsible for maintaining order and proper conduct on their sideline, during the game and during half-time.
Coaches and Team Box
A. Team Box and Playing Field Area - Any adult, on any part of the IFL playing field, must be an approved IFL volunteer (except authorized team staff with outside visiting teams, which are required to provide approved identification issued by their affiliated association). All approved IFL volunteers will be given an identification badge. This badge must be displayed and visible at all times while on an IFL field. Failure to comply will result in that person being asked to leave the field. There is a consequence if the Head Coach fails to verify everyone on his sideline has an approved IFL badge. At the referees disclosure, only one coach may walk goal line to goal line on their side of the field; everyone else needs to stay within the 20-yard lines (on 80-yard field), or within the 25-yard lines (100-yard field).
B. Coaches on the Field- During the Fall football preseason, one (1) offensive coach and one (1) defensive coach will be allowed on the field during game play. In the Bantam League only, this will also be allowed for the first 2 regular season games. The offensive coach must remain 5-10 yards behind the backfield once the cadence is broken; and, the defensive coach must remain 5-10 yards behind the deepest positioned defensive player and close to their sideline numbers.
Coaches and Volunteers on the Sideline
During all official football games (Spring and Fall) personnel on the sideline must be limited to (6) total authorized football volunteers (coaches/assistants/ team moms/dads), and (3) authorized cheer volunteers (coaches/team managers/assistants).
Outside League Participation
A. Player Participation in Other Organizations- No player, registered to play in the IFL for any given season, will be allowed to participate in any other organized football program, other than a school program, during the regular or post-playing season and remain eligible to play in the IFL. Any such player found in violation of this policy will be immediately suspended from any other participation in the IFL for the remainder of the regular and post-season. The IFL Board will hand down final disciplinary action, if required. If any player is found to be actively participating in any other program (with a coach’s knowledge), during the regular or post-season, while playing in the IFL, other than specified above, the player’s Head Coach will be suspended 1 game and the player will be suspended from any other participation in the IFL for the remainder of the regular and post-season. The IFL Board will hand down final disciplinary action.
B. Coaches Participation in Other Organizations - Any coach found to be actively participating in any outside football program, other than a school program, will be subject to disciplinary action by the IFL Executive Board. The Executive Board will determine if coaches’ participation has a negative effect on IFL and take the appropriate action. If any active IFL coach is found recruiting IFL “registered” or “currently assigned” players to play in another football program that plays during the current IFL regular or post-season, that coach will be suspended for one (1) year by the IFL Board.
C. Out of League Games- IFL teams are allowed to play games with outside organizations during Spring and Fall official football seasons (pre-season, regular season and post-season) solely under the direct authorization of previously established “cross-play” agreements between participating organizations and the IFL Executive Board. No IFL coach may take their assigned team players, or players from any other IFL team, to participate in any other outside league play, during the pre-season, regular season or post-season (including scrimmages, bowl games and tournaments), without prior written permission from the IFL Board. Prior written permission must also be obtained from such player’s coach and parents; and, all required personal liability disclaimers and/or hold-harmless documents must be fully completed, signed and maintained on file. IFL equipment may not be used for any play other than IFL official games played during the preseason, regular season or post-season without prior written permission from the IFL Board.
D. Cross-Play Between Organizations- The IFL Board shall work directly with authorized League Officials from other youth football community-based, park and recreation leagues throughout the DFW area to schedule official outside league games, referred to herein as “cross-play”. All parties shall agree that the use of cross-play between outside organizations will be used as a supplemental scheduling tactic to fill voids in each league’s official game schedule and may or may not be used as a means for developing a league’s primary game schedule. All parties shall also agree that results from any cross-play games between outside organizations may or may not count towards any intra-league standings or statistics.
Vital to any cross-play agreements between the IFL and outside organizations, it shall be required that any existing critical organizational differences in structure, general culture, supplemental playing rules and/or level of competitiveness must be appropriately addressed and confirmed prior to establishing any such agreements. These critical organizational differences include but are not limited to:
1. The relative difference between comparable strength and competitiveness of teams
2. The concrete difference between established playing rules
Player Certification and Assignment
A. Player Certification- Every IFL player participating in contact or flag football during the Fall season must participate in the annual league-wide “player certification” process. The player certification process primarily consists of the submittal, review and approval of critical documents (player information sheet, birth certificate, medical release, liability release and waiver, and Parent Contract Agreement); as well as official player weigh-in and picture snapshot for Player Certification Card.
The player certification process will be conducted annually on a date set by the IFL Board prior to the Fall 1st preseason/regular season game. If possible, teams are highly encouraged to begin processing required player paperwork/documents earlier in the year to expedite the overall certification process. A final roster of every team, along with all required player documentation must be maintained on file with the IFL Board by the Fall 1st regular season game of each year. This roster will also be used as a team’s program roster. Any participant without proper player certification, payment of registration fees and approved paperwork will be ineligible to participate until all player certification requirements have been satisfied. All required player and team paperwork must be with the team at all IFL functions.
B. OPTIONAL Registration Fee- Every IFL organization shall be responsible for paying a Registration Fee (Spring and Fall) to be determined by the individual organization each year. Each year the Executive Board will set the date that all registration fees will be due. If an organization has not paid 100% of their Fall registration fee by the Player Certification due date, such organization will not be allowed to participate in any IFL events/games or be allowed on any part of the playing field. Registration Fees must be paid with penalty no later than the Fall 1st Regular Season game. No personal checks will be accepted as payment of an organization’s registration fee. Only certified funds will be accepted as payment for team registration fees.
C. Player Additions- All teams may add players to fill their rosters throughout the year, except during the time when officially scheduled football seasons are in progress. No player may be added to any team during the Spring football season within (1) week of the 1st regular season game and throughout the remainder of the scheduled season without Executive Board approval. No player may be added to any team during the Fall football season after the 1st regular season game and throughout the remainder of the scheduled season without IFL Board approval.
Player Qualifications
A. Eligibility - Any player who wishes to play football in the IFL may do so as long as they meet the following requirements as listed below.
B. Proof of Age - All players will be required to provide a copy of their birth certificate as proof of age. The Executive Board may request a certified copy of a player’s birth certificate. If a birth certificate is not available, the Executive Board must approve any other instrument used to validate a player’s proof of age.
C. Protest Clause - Only player eligibility (age and approved participant) may be protested. If a coach wishes to protest a game, he must notify the officials prior to the end of said game. If the protest is won, that coach will be awarded the win. The team with the ineligible player will have a loss.
D. Weigh Ins - All players participating in contact and tackle football during the Fall season will be required to weigh-in as part of the player certification process. The weigh-ins will be conducted in accordance with rules prescribed by the IFL Board. Players can only weigh in with an IFL Board and one other General Board Member present. If a player does not make the weight limit for their designated age division, such player will be identified as a “restricted player.”
If a player does not participate in an official weigh-in by the Fall 1st regular season game, such player will be identified as a “restricted player.” Failure to comply with these policies will result in the Head Coach receiving a one (1) game suspension for the next regular season/playoff game.
E. Restricted Players - All restricted players must play on the line, end to end on offense or defense. They must play as a down lineman in a three (3) or four (4) point stance. On defense the player must have their hand on the ground from tackle to tackle but may play in the up position at end. On offense, a lineman is considered in a four (4)-point stance if the player has their hand on their knees. A restricted player at defensive end may not line up more than six (6) feet outside the last interior lineman. Violation of any of these rules is considered a major penalty. Any restricted player may punt or kick off. A restricted player can advance the ball on defense only when a fumble is recovered or an interception occurs.
F. FLAG League Age Requirements - The FLAG League shall be made up of participants who are at least four (4) years old and will not be more than six (6) years old before August 1st of the current playing season. All four (4) year old players assigned to a team in the Flag League require prior approval from the child’s parent/guardian.
G. Bantam League Age Requirements and Weight Limits - The Bantam League shall be made up of participants who are at least seven (6) years old and will not be more than eight (8) years old before August 1st of the current playing season. Any participant weighing more than one hundred and five (105) pounds will be considered a restricted player.
H. Junior League Age Requirements and Weight Limits - The Junior League shall be made up of participants who are at least nine (8) years old and will not be more than ten (10) years old before August 1st of the current playing season. Any participant weighing more than one hundred and twenty-five (125) pounds will be considered a restricted player.
I. Senior League Age Requirements and Weight Limits - The Senior League shall be made up of participants who are at least eleven (10) years old and will not be more than twelve (12) years old before August 1st of the current playing season. Any participant weighing more than one hundred and fifty-five (145) pounds will be considered a restricted player.
Team Rosters
All official team rosters are maintained on file by an approved IFL Board member, which is the only person authorized to make edits, updates and/or corrections to any official team roster. Official team rosters must include each player’s full name, date of birth, current contact information and address, and source by which each player came to the team (draft, walk-on, assigned, etc.). The assigned Executive Board member will coordinate with all teams to ensure official team rosters are accurate and current, and provided to teams on a routine basis as required or requested. The official team rosters maintained on file by the league are the only acceptable and approved team rosters, and all other roster forms, versions or replications are invalid.
Team Members
Tryouts- In the event try-outs are held, all leagues will conduct a draft after the try-out.
Equipment
A. Required Equipment - All players participating in full contact (tackle football) are required to wear an approved helmet with an approved face guard. IFL will not issue any helmets. Players are required to wear approved shoulder pads, cleats, pants (with pads) and teeth/mouth protector at all times where contact will take place.
B. Official Game Ball - Each team will be responsible for providing a game ball to be used. Each team must ensure all designated game balls are the appropriate size, or equivalent, for respective league play (Bantam and below – Official Pee-Wee, Junior – Junior, Senior – Youth).
C. Team Uniform - All IFL teams must have game uniforms with visible numbers on the front and back of the jersey. Players’ names (including nicknames and aliases) are allowed on the back of a player’s jersey; however, it is the sole discretion of a player’s parent/guardian as to whether the name is placed on the back of their child’s jersey, and this action requires prior approval from the player’s parent/guardian. IFL does not encourage placing a player’s name on their jersey due to safety concerns.
Practice
Illegal Drills - Any type of full-speed contact drill that positions two (2) or more players more than two (2) yards apart is considered an illegal drill and prohibited by the IFL. The Executive Board may deem, at any time, a drill illegal and require a coach to discontinue its use.
Workouts with Outside Organizations - IFL teams will be allowed to workout, practice or scrimmage with any organization outside of IFL without prior Executive Board approval. No IFL teams will be allowed to conduct a contact workout, practice or scrimmage with any team, inside or outside the IFL, that is not in the same age group or does not have the same weight restrictions as the IFL without prior Executive Board approval. This process will be at your own risk and IFL will not be responsible for or held liable for any injury or players recruited by opposing organizations.
Players from Another Team- No IFL Coach may allow a player from another team or another organization to participate with his team.
Official Game – General Rules
A. Game Scheduling - Game scheduling will be determined by the prior year’s final team standings at the end of the playoffs. Each team will play each other one time during the regular season, not counting the preseason. Games will be scheduled for 7 or 8 game seasons.
B. Length of Game - The playing time for all games in each of the leagues will consist of four (4), eight (8) minute quarters; with an eight (8) minute halftime rest period and a one (1) minute time-out between quarters. Each team is allowed up to three (3) time-outs per half.
C. Forfeit Time - Forfeit time shall be ten (10) minutes after the scheduled game time. If a team doesn’t field ten (10) eligible players within the time limit, the game shall be declared forfeited and a loss will be counted against that team. If the officials that are going to officiate the game are more than ten (10) minutes late after the scheduled game time, the forfeit time will begin the minute the officials arrive on the field. If the officials can’t start a game at the scheduled game time because the preceding game is still in progress and it’s more than ten (10) minutes after the scheduled game time, forfeit time will begin immediately after the preceding game ends.
D. Double Forfeit - If neither team can field ten (10) eligible players, a double forfeit will be declared and a loss will be counted for both teams.
E. Game Postponement - In case of rain, the officials and the Executive Board will determine whether games should be postponed or cancelled.
F. Team Uniforms - In case of a controversy regarding the color of the jersey to be worn when two competing IFL teams have similar colors, the primary base jersey color will have priority over the alternate base jersey color. Violation of these uniform policies will result in the game being declared a forfeit and a loss counted against the violating team; and the Head Coach will be required to appear before the Executive Board for review, resolution and/or appropriate disciplinary action.
G. Required Protective Equipment - A mouth protector must be worn at all times while the player is on the field of contact (or while participating in any contact drills). During any official game, the following penalties will be applied for infractions of this player safety regulation:
Bantam: 1st infraction – warning; 2nd infraction – 5-yard penalty; 3 or more infractions – 5-yard penalty and loss of timeout
Junior/Senior: 1st infraction – warning; 2nd infraction – 10-yard penalty; 3 or more infractions – 10-yard penalty and loss of a timeout
H. Pre-Game Official Team Roster Review - Each team must participate in conducting a pre-game official roster review prior to any official game (excluding preseason). Any player present that is not included on a team’s official roster will not be allowed to participate in the game. Immediately prior to game kickoff during the coin toss, each team must adhere to the following procedures in order to conduct the pre-game roster review in an organized and timely manner. Failure to comply with these procedures will result in disciplinary action.
Each team must line up their own players along their respective sideline in order according to their official book (alphabetical or numerical order).
Each team must provide their Team Book to the opposing Team Manager or team representative. Team Books must be arranged in player sequence either alphabetical or numerical order.
The Team Manager, or team representative from each team, must go to the opposing team sideline and conduct a review of each player present in order to verify that each player present is appropriately identified on the team’s official player roster and to match the player to their corresponding picture on file. If required, this pre-game review and verification process may be conducted by a League Director.
If a player is missing from either team at the start of the game, or during the pre-game official team roster review, such player is required to immediately check in (before entering the field of play) with the Team Manager or team representative from the opposing team in order to verify their eligibility and allow them to enter the field of play.
I. Kick Off - The receiving team will line up at midfield and the kickoff team will kick from 10 yards back in all contact leagues. The receiving team must place a minimum of five (5) players ten yards in front of the ball. On a touchback, the ball will be placed on the 20-yard line.
J. Player Substitutions - All teams are entitled to unlimited substitutions.
K. Required Play Time - Every player must play in at least four (4) contact plays per half. These plays must take place during regulation play. These downs cannot be free kick extra point tries. Exceptions to this rule will only be made with approval by the General Board or a League Director; and, this exception must be approved prior to the start of the game.
L. Time Between Plays - After the referee puts the ball in play, the offensive team will have thirty (30) seconds to huddle and get the ball in play.
M. Game Stoppage- Once a game has started, any decision to stop the game shall be at the referee’s discretion.
N. Official Time Outs for Water Breaks - During games that are played in hot temperatures, official time outs will be given when necessary for water breaks. This will be allowed at the discretion of the officials or a General Board member. A minimum of one (1) water break in the middle of each quarter will be given.
O. Mercy Rule - The mercy rule is active when a team falls behind 28 points or more. If a team falls behind 28 points or more in any quarter, the winning team must commit to running the ball in between the tackles for the remainder of the game. If a team falls behind 28 points or more at halftime, they will receive the kickoff at the start of the 3rd quarter. This rule does not apply during postseason play.
P. Regular Season Ties - Any regular season game, which is tied at the end of regulation play, will end in a tie game and each team’s score will be recorded as appropriate.
Official Game – Offense
A. Illegal Blocking - Any type of “Roll Block” or similar blocking technique that specifically targets another player’s knees or lower legs is considered an illegal block and prohibited by the IFL. During any official game, the following penalties will be applied for infractions of this safety policy:
Each infraction – 15-yard personal foul penalty
2 or more infractions – Head Coach must come before the Executive Board to discuss infractions and possible resolution/repercussion
2 or more infractions by the same player – player is disqualified for the remainder of the game; and, such player and Head Coach must come before the Executive Board to discuss infractions and possible resolution/repercussion
B. Punts - In the tackle league, there will be no penetration of the neutral zone by either the offensive or defensive team on a punt until the ball is kicked. If the defense crosses the neutral zone before the ball is kicked, it is offsides. If the offense crosses the neutral zone before the ball is kicked, it is a false start.
The offensive team must declare their intention to punt to the officials and the opposing team before the start of the play. If a timeout is taken after a declaration to punt, the offensive team must declare the punt again. Failure to do so will result in a 10-yard penalty.
Bantam division only, an offensive team may choose to accept a 25-yard walk-off. If the team chooses the walk-off option, the ball will be advanced from the line of scrimmage up to 25 yards, as long as positioning of the ball does not penetrate beyond the opposing team’s 20-yard line.
C. Extra Point - The ball will be placed on the three-yard line for all leagues. In all leagues a run will be worth 2 points, a legal forward pass will be worth 2 points, and a kick will be worth 1 point.
The PAT kick will be a free kick only in Bantam and Junior divisions, and there will be no penetration of the neutral zone by either the offensive or defensive team (infraction penalty will be a personal foul and a retry of the PAT attempt if the defense is in violation). The offensive team must declare their intention to kick to the officials and the opposing team before the start of the play. The ball is to be held by a player on the ground or on a flat kicking tee. The PAT kick will have a time limit of 5 seconds after the snap. Failure to attempt the kick within the time limit will result in the play being ruled dead.
D. Field Goal Attempts - A field goal attempt will be a free kick if the line of scrimmage is the 10-yard line or beyond in the Bantam and Junior divisions and the 15-yard line or beyond in the Senior division. There will be no penetration of the neutral zone by either the offensive or defensive team (infraction penalty will be a personal foul). There will be a five (5) second time limit on all free-kicked field goal attempts after the ball is snapped; then the play will be ruled dead. Senior division will be considered regular football.
Official Game – Defense
A. Blitzing - There will be no blitzing the A & B gaps. Linebackers must be at least two (2) yards behind the defensive line and cannot move forward to blitz the A or B gap until the ball is snapped.
B. Nose Guard - If the center is in a shotgun or deep snap formation, you cannot run a nose guard. A nose guard is not allowed on center unless the quarterback begins in a position to take a “hand off” type snap from the center. Interpretation: when the quarterback is not in position to take a “hand off” snap from the center, no defensive player will be allowed to make a direct hit on the center unless a play develops directly in that area. This is a judgment call and may be declared a penalty and automatic first down.
Exception: In the Bantam League, use of a nose guard will not be allowed on any defensive play.
C. Defensive Alignment - Bantam League only: All defensive linemen other than the defensive ends must be in a 3- or 4-point stance (defensive ends may be in a 2-point stance). Penalty will be a personal foul.
If the center is in a shotgun or deep snap formation, defensive players cannot line up in front of the center, and they must engage another offensive player before engaging the center. If the defensive player engages the center first, it is considered a personal foul.
End-of-Season Tie Records
A. Tie Records Between Two or More Teams - In case of a tie between two or more teams at the end of the regular season, the tie will be broken in the following order:
Head-to-head (two teams only). If three or more teams have the same record, go directly to the 2nd tiebreaker.
Win/loss record against common opponents. Team with the best record gets the higher seed.
Team with lowest point differential in losses only. Example: Bills lose to Dolphins 34–33 (1-point differential), Patriots lose 28–14 (14-point differential). Bills would get the higher seed.
Team with lowest total points allowed against common opponents.
Coin flip.
Post Season
A. Post Season Tournament Ties - Any playoff or championship game tied at the end of regulation will play one complete overtime quarter. A coin flip will determine who receives the kickoff in overtime. If still tied at the end of overtime, a coin toss will determine who receives the ball first in “sudden victory” play.
The team that loses the toss will choose which end to defend. The ball will be placed on the 10-yard line, and the first team will be given four (4) plays to score. The other team will be given the same number of plays. The game will continue until a winner is determined at the end of a sudden victory round.
B. Post Season Tournament Seeding - All teams will participate in the postseason tournament. First-round playoff games will be determined using a seeding schedule based on regular season standings (1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7, 3 vs. 6, 4 vs. 5).
Based on results of the first playoff round, remaining four teams will be reseeded based on original standings (1 vs. 4, 2 vs. 3).
C. Post Season Championship Games - Winners of the second-round playoff games will meet in the IFL Championship game. The winner will be the League Champion; the loser will be designated Runner-Up. First-round losers will be considered 5th–8th place based on regular season record. Second-round losers will be considered 3rd and 4th place based on season standings.
FLAG League Rules 11v11
A. Player Criteria - Participants in the FLAG League shall engage in non-contact flag football.
The FLAG League shall be made up of participants who are at least four (4) years old and will not be more than six (6) years old before August 1st of the current playing season. There is no weight restriction in the FLAG League.
A team roster will not exceed twenty-five (25) players.
B. Game Criteria - Each team is required to have a minimum of eight (8) players to start the game. If a team cannot field the required number of players within 10 minutes of scheduled game time, the game is a forfeit. If neither team can field players, a double forfeit may be declared or the game may be played by mutual agreement.
Each team shall provide a game football (official Pee-Wee size).
The field will be 80 yards OR 40 going towards an endzone.
Games consist of four (4) eight-minute quarters with a continuous clock stopping only for timeouts and injuries.
Halftime will be 10 minutes.
Thirty (30) seconds between plays.
Every player must play at least four (4) plays per half.
Eight (8) players per team on the field at all times.
C. Equipment - Required uniform includes jersey, flags, mouthpiece, and athletic shorts or pants with pads.
Mouthpieces must be worn at all times on the field. Penalties apply for violations (warning, then 5-yard penalty, then 5-yard penalty + loss of timeout).
Flags must be properly worn on each hip and attached to belt. Minimum size requirements apply.
Jerseys must be tucked in and may not cover flags.
No flag modifications allowed (10-yard penalty).
D. Coaches on the Field - Two (2) offensive and two (2) defensive coaches allowed for first four games (preseason + early regular season). After that, one (1) offensive and one (1) defensive coach allowed.
Coaches may instruct but must remain 5 yards behind play after snap/huddle.
Sideline coaches and players must remain within designated yard lines.
E. General Rules - Ball placed on 20-yard line to start and after scores. No kickoffs.
Ten (10) yards equals a first down.
Offensive line must consist of set positions (hands on knees or 2-point stance).
Blocking is limited to extended arms and open hands only.
All players are eligible after snap.
Flag guarding and stiff-arm are illegal.
Ball is dead when carrier is down, flag is pulled, or ball hits ground.
Fourth down options include play, punt, or 25-yard walk-off (limited to opponent 20-yard line).
Defensive alignment and blitz restrictions apply (no A/B gap blitzing, spacing rules).
Nose guard prohibited.
Tackling/tripping is illegal (unnecessary roughness penalties apply).
Striping the ball is not allowed (play dead, offense retains possession).
Punt and kick rules follow declared free-kick structure with penalties for failure to comply.
Extra point rules: run/pass = 2 points, kick = 1 point. Must declare kick.
Field goal attempts are free kicks with time limits and neutral zone restrictions.
IFL Flag Football Rules 7v7
Spring Season - 15-minute halves - Running clock
Fall Season - 4 quarters of 8 minutes each -Running clock
The clock stops for: Timeouts, Referee whistle
Spring 2 timeouts per game
Fall 2 timeouts per half
Equipment / Flags -
Players must wear 2 flags, one on each side
Flags must be worn on the player’s left and right side
Spring: Pop Flags or Velcro Flags are allowed
Fall: Pop Flags or Velcro Flags are allowed
Field Size-
Field length is 40 yards
First down is gained at 20 yards
Offense has 4 plays to reach the 20-yard first down marker
Scoring -
Touchdown: 6 points
Extra point from the 2-yard line: 1 point
Extra point from the 5-yard line: 2 points
Extra point attempt may be a run or pass
Defensive interceptions may be returned for a touchdown worth 6 points
Offense
Light blocking is allowed within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage
Holding penalty: 5 yards
Fumbles are dead balls and result in loss of down
Quarterback can advance the ball as a runner unless blitzed or after after a hand off motion has been made.
Teams may use a designated center who does not wear flags, but that player must report to the referee.
If the center is wearing flags, he is an eligible receiver
Defense
Defensive players may blitz only if they start at least 5 yards from the line of scrimmage
The referee will stand at the 5-yard blitz line
No tackling allowed
Tackling penalty: 5 yards
No flag guarding allowed by the ball carrier
Starting Possession
No kickoffs
Game begins with a coin toss for first possession
Ball starts at the 40-yard line
INTERLOCK FOOTBALL LEAGUE (IFL) BYLAWS SHORT LIST
I. Purpose and Policy
The Interlock Football League (IFL) is apart of Interlock Sports, LLC. It is a volunteer-driven organization established to promote youth football, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The league’s mission is to provide a safe, structured, and educational environment for athletes to develop athletic and life skills.
II. Governance
The league shall be governed by an Executive Board consisting of elected officers and directors. The Board shall have the authority to interpret and enforce all bylaws, rules, and policies. Changes to bylaws require a majority vote of the Board. Temporary resolutions may be enacted for the benefit of the league but must be reviewed annually.
III. Membership and Background Checks
Any adult of good character may become a league member or volunteer, subject to approval. All coaches, volunteers, and officials age 18 or older must pass an annual nationwide criminal background check. Convictions for crimes involving violence, children, or controlled substances are grounds for disqualification. Disqualified applicants may appeal in writing to the Executive Board.
IV. Coaching Requirements
Head Coaches are responsible for their team’s conduct and compliance with all rules. All coaches must complete annual certification and safety training (e.g., USA Football/Heads Up). Coaches must meet with parents at the start of the season to explain expectations and league policies. Coaches are responsible for fan conduct and game day organization. Misconduct, unsportsmanlike behavior, or use of profanity, alcohol, or tobacco at league events is grounds for suspension or dismissal.
V. Player Eligibility
Players must meet league age and weight requirements based on divisions. Age cutoff date: August 1st of the current year. Players may not participate in another organized football program during the season. Player certification is $25 per player and a birth certificate is required before participation. Players must appear on the official roster to be eligible for games.
VI. Divisions (Sample Structure)
Flag Division: Ages 4–6;
Bantam Division: Ages 7–8, 105 lb max for ball carriers;
Junior Division: Ages 9–10, 125 lb max for ball carriers;
Senior Division: Ages 11–12, 145 lb max for ball carriers.
Exact divisions may vary by season or location due to league cross-play.
VII. Equipment
All players must wear approved helmets, shoulder pads, game pants with knee and thigh pads, cleats (no metal), and mouthguards. Team jerseys must have visible numbers front and back. Back plates for shoulder pads are allowed. Alterations to league-issued uniforms or equipment must be approved by the Board. Coaches must ensure equipment is returned at season’s end.
VIII. Conduct and Discipline
All members, coaches, players, and spectators must adhere to standards of good sportsmanship. Gross misconduct, fighting, or abusive language will result in suspension or expulsion. Any coach ejected from a game is suspended for the next game and must appear before the Board. Spectators may not loiter behind team benches or use loud devices during play. Alcohol, drugs, or tobacco are strictly prohibited at all league facilities. The Board may impose suspensions for violations.
IX. Officials
Minimum of two certified officials per game. Officials are authorized to enforce all rules and may eject participants for unsportsmanlike conduct. There will be no protests to being ejected.