The NGFFL Rule book

The NGFFL Rule Book governs the annual Gay Bowl tournament.
The most recent update: August 23, 2026.

To propose a rule change, please email our Director of Officials, Lance Burage at officials@ngffl.org. A brief summary is adequate, and if approved, the Director will write up the rule in the format necessary to fit the rule book.

CHANGES FOR 2026-2027

1.4.5
Added language to clarify proper flag & flag belt positioning standards.

3.1.1 / 3.1.2 / 4.5.1 / 4.5.2 / 9.6.3.c
Changed rule to define an injury timeout and allow an injured player to remain in the game after an injury timeout is called by an official if either team calls a charged team timeout or the injury is the result of a foul by an opponent.

6.1.8 / 6.2.1
Changed the rule so an untouched kicked ball that lands first in the end zone is a touchback, even if it bounces back into the field of play.

10.6.1.g / 10.6.6
Added a special enforcement for illegal deflagging so the penalty can be enforced from the succeeding spot or “tacked on” instead of defaulting to previous-spot enforcement on pass plays (same enforcement as roughing the passer.)

7.6.1 / 10.6.1.h / 10.6.7
Added NCAA-style enforcement for personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct by Team B during legal forward pass plays, including tack-on enforcement when the last run ends beyond the neutral zone with no change of possession.

Minor editorial changes

1.4.9
Added language expand the list of allowed personal safety equipment to include concussion collars / bands, Q-Collars, and other required medical safety equipment.

8.3.12.d
Clarified/codified that it is a one-point safety for Team A if during a try, after a change of possession Team B fouls, and the spot of the foul is in their own end zone.

9.3.5
Added language to make any major (10-yard foul) on a quarterback convert to roughing the passer if the quarterback becomes a passer by attempting a legal forward pass.

9.6.2 / 9.6.3
Clarified that illegal participation is a live ball foul.

9.6.3
Clarified that it is illegal participation during any down or free kick when any player intentionally goes out of bounds and returns to the field, intentionally touches the ball, influences the play, or otherwise participates.