Rules & expectations
Official Game Rules
How the game is played across all four NDFL leagues — tackle and flag, regular season through championship.
Men’s Deaf Tackle (MDTFL) · Men’s Deaf Flag (MDFFL) · Women’s Deaf Flag (WDFFL) · COED Deaf Flag (CDFFL)
Governing Rules
All National Deaf Football League (NDFL) games shall be played under the governing rule sets identified below, as modified and adopted by the League. Where a governing rule set and these Official Game Rules differ, these Official Game Rules shall control.
| Division | Governing Rule Set |
|---|---|
| Tackle Football (MDTFL) | American 7s Football League (A7FL) rules, played as a modified 8-on-8 game as adopted by the NDFL. |
| Flag Football (MDFFL, WDFFL, CDFFL) | USA Football Flag rules, as modified and adopted by the NDFL. |
Player safety, sportsmanship, and fair competition shall at all times be the League’s highest priorities. All players, coaches, and team personnel are expected to demonstrate respect toward game officials, opponents, and League representatives.
SECTION D
Men’s Tackle League Rules (MDTFL)
The Men’s Deaf Tackle Football League (MDTFL) shall operate under a modified 8-on-8 version of the American 7s Football League (A7FL) rules, as adopted by the National Deaf Football League.
D.1. Players Required
Each team shall field eight (8) players at all times. A legal offensive formation shall consist of:
- Three (3) linemen
- Five (5) skill players
A minimum of five (5) eligible players is required to begin or continue a game. A team with fewer than five (5) players shall forfeit the game.
D.2. Game Length
Games shall consist of four (4) quarters of twelve (12) minutes each. The clock shall run continuously except during the final two (2) minutes of the second and fourth quarters.
D.3. Timeouts
Each team shall receive three (3) one-minute timeouts per half — three (3) in the first half (1st and 2nd quarters) and three (3) in the second half (3rd and 4th quarters). Unused timeouts shall not carry over to the second half.
D.4. Halftime
Halftime shall be ten (10) minutes unless otherwise approved by the League Commissioner.
D.5. Captains’ Meeting
Team captains shall meet with the referees at midfield fifteen (15) minutes before kickoff for the coin toss, sportsmanship reminder, and any rule clarifications.
D.6. Team Check-In
All teams shall be fully dressed, checked in, and ready to play no later than fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled kickoff. Failure to report on time may result in penalties or forfeiture as determined by League policy.
D.7. Blocking
Blocking shall follow the modified A7FL guidelines adopted by the NDFL. Screen blocking and body blocking are permitted. The following are prohibited:
- Holding, grabbing, clipping, and tripping
- Chop blocks and blind-side blocks
- Unnecessary roughness
D.8. Tackling
Players shall use proper wrap-up tackling technique. The following are prohibited:
- Helmet-to-helmet contact
- Spearing
- Targeting the head or neck
- Horse-collar tackles
- Hits below the knees
- Blind-side hits
- Dangerous or reckless contact
Officials may assess penalties, eject players, or recommend additional discipline for violations of this rule.
D.9. Ball Snap
The ball shall be snapped between the center’s legs. A side snap may be used only if approved by both teams and the referee before the game begins.
D.10. Scoring
| Scoring Play | Points |
|---|---|
| Touchdown | Six (6) points |
| Extra point — from the 5-yard line | One (1) point |
| Extra point — from the 10-yard line | Two (2) points |
D.11. Required Equipment
All players shall wear:
- Rugby-style soft foam helmet
- Mouthguard
- Knee-pad leggings or integrated knee pads
- Proper football cleats
- Matching team uniforms with clearly visible numbers
The following are prohibited:
- Hard-shell football helmets
- Hard shoulder pads
- Metal cleats
- Any equipment deemed unsafe by the game officials
Approved soft protective equipment may be worn.
D.12. Fighting and Unsportsmanlike Conduct
Physical fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct shall not be tolerated. Discipline shall be assessed as follows:
| Offense | Disciplinary Action |
|---|---|
| First Offense | Ejection and suspension for the remainder of the current half or game. |
| Second Offense | Suspension for one (1) additional game. |
| Third Offense | Suspension of up to one (1) year, subject to review and approval by the Executive Board. |
The Executive Board reserves the right to impose additional disciplinary action based on the severity of the incident.
D.13. Kickoff Procedure
Traditional kickoffs shall not be used. Games shall begin, and possession shall restart, using the official A7FL Throw-Off procedure or another League-approved possession method adopted by the NDFL to improve player safety.
SECTION E
Flag League Rules (MDFFL, WDFFL & CDFFL)
The Men’s Deaf Flag Football League (MDFFL), Women’s Deaf Flag Football League (WDFFL), and COED Deaf Flag Football League (CDFFL) shall operate under USA Football Flag rules, as modified and adopted by the NDFL, together with the rules set forth in this Section. Flag football is a non-contact sport, and all players, coaches, and team personnel are expected to demonstrate good sportsmanship and respect for officials, opponents, and League representatives.
E.1. Players Required
Each team shall have at least five (5) eligible players present to begin and continue a game. A team with fewer than five (5) players shall forfeit the game.
E.2. Timeouts
Each team shall receive two (2) one-minute timeouts per half — two (2) in the first half (1st and 2nd quarters) and two (2) in the second half (3rd and 4th quarters). Unused timeouts shall not carry over to the second half.
E.3. Halftime
Halftime shall be five (5) minutes.
E.4. Game Clock
The game clock shall continue to run during dead-ball situations, except during the final two (2) minutes of the second quarter and the final two (2) minutes of the fourth quarter, when the clock shall stop in accordance with League timing rules.
E.5. Down by Flag Pull
Flag football is a non-contact sport. A ball carrier is ruled down when a defender legally removes one (1) of the ball carrier’s flags. Tackling, pushing, and unnecessary physical contact are prohibited. A player may extend the football with a hand or arm to break the plane of the goal line or gain a first down.
E.6. Quarterback Rule
The quarterback shall have seven (7) seconds to release the football. The defense may rush (blitz) the quarterback only from a position that begins seven (7) yards behind the line of scrimmage, in accordance with League rules.
E.7. Blitz Rule
Before each game, the referees shall review and explain the League’s blitz rule with both teams to ensure all players understand the proper rushing procedure.
E.8. Scoring
| Scoring Play | WDFFL & CDFFL | MDFFL |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdown | Six (6) points | Six (6) points |
| Extra point — one (1) point | Pass only | Pass only |
| Extra point — two (2) points | Run or pass from the 10-yard line | Pass only |
E.9. Game Football
The game officials shall provide the official game football. Teams are not required to supply the game ball.
E.10. Uniforms
All players shall wear matching team uniforms with clearly visible numbers. In addition:
- Shorts and pants shall not contain pockets.
- Flag belts shall be properly secured and visible before each play.
- Players shall not wear equipment that presents a safety hazard.
E.11. Sportsmanship
Players, coaches, and team personnel shall conduct themselves respectfully toward game officials. Any player who argues excessively or displays unsportsmanlike conduct toward an official may be penalized as follows:
- First, second, or third quarter: the player may be benched until the following quarter.
- Fourth quarter: the player may be benched for the remainder of the game.
Additional penalties may be imposed by the League Commissioner or the Executive Board.
E.12. Violence and Incident Management
During a game, referees have the authority to stop play and manage any violent or unsafe conduct occurring on the field. Incidents occurring outside the field of play shall be handled by League officials, facility management, security personnel, or local law enforcement, as appropriate.
E.13. Fighting Discipline
Physical fighting shall not be tolerated. Discipline shall be assessed as follows:
| Offense | Disciplinary Action |
|---|---|
| First Offense | Ejection and suspension for the remainder of the current half or game. |
| Second Offense | Suspension for the next scheduled game. |
| Third Offense | Suspension of up to one (1) year, subject to review and approval by the Executive Board. |
The Executive Board reserves the right to impose additional disciplinary action based on the severity of the incident.
SECTION F
Flag Football Regional Round Robin Tournament
This Section applies only to the Men’s Deaf Flag Football and Women’s Deaf Flag Football divisions.
F.1. Regional Round Robin Tournament
Each region shall host one (1) Regional Round Robin Tournament during the regular season. The results of that tournament shall determine the official regional team rankings.
F.2. Regional Championship Tournament
Approximately three (3) months after the Regional Round Robin Tournament, the NDFL shall conduct the Regional Championship Tournament. The top five (5) teams from each Regional Round Robin Tournament shall be seeded into the Championship Tournament bracket according to their final standings as Seeds #1 through #5.
F.3. Random Drawing
All remaining qualified teams shall be placed into a random drawing to determine their positions in the Championship Tournament bracket. The Board of Commissioners shall conduct the drawing publicly, or through another transparent process, before the Championship Tournament. Once the bracket has been finalized, no changes shall be made except with the Board’s approval under extraordinary circumstances.
F.4. Application
This format applies only to NDFL flag football divisions and shall not apply to Men’s Tackle Football unless otherwise approved by the Board of Commissioners.
SECTION G
Regular Season and Playoffs
This Section applies to all National Deaf Football League divisions, including Men’s Deaf Tackle Football, Men’s Deaf Flag Football, and Women’s Deaf Flag Football.
G.1. Regular-Season Schedule
The Board of Commissioners shall establish the regular-season schedule before the start of each League season, and shall determine the number of regular-season games each team shall play. The schedule shall be developed with consideration for competitive balance, travel, field availability, regional participation, and operational needs.
G.2. Scheduling Conflicts
The Board of Commissioners shall make every reasonable effort to minimize scheduling conflicts with recognized Deaf basketball leagues whenever practical, recognizing that many athletes participate in multiple Deaf sports.
G.3. Standings
At the conclusion of the regular season, teams shall be ranked according to overall winning percentage. Any ties in the standings shall be resolved using the League’s official tie-breaking procedures.
G.4. Playoff Qualification and Format
The top four (4) teams in each division or region, based on final regular-season standings, shall qualify for the Playoffs and shall be seeded #1 through #4. The playoff format shall be:
| Game | Matchup |
|---|---|
| Semifinal 1 | Seed #1 vs. Seed #4 |
| Semifinal 2 | Seed #2 vs. Seed #3 |
| Championship Game | Winner of Semifinal 1 vs. Winner of Semifinal 2 |
G.5. Publication of Bracket
The Board of Commissioners shall publish the official playoff bracket and championship schedule following the conclusion of the regular season.
G.6. Authority to Modify
The Board of Commissioners reserves the authority to modify the regular-season schedule due to weather, field availability, emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances in the best interest of the League.
Player safety, sportsmanship, and fair competition govern every rule above. Questions about interpretation go to the League Commissioner.