Continental Indoor Football League The Continental Indoor Football League ( CIFL ) is an indoor football league based along the Midwestern United States region . It began play in April 2006 as the Great Lakes Indoor Football League ( GLIFL ) . Formed by Jeff Spitaleri , his brother Eric , and third member , Cory Trapp , all from the Canton , Ohio area . The league was originally called the OPIFL ( short for Ohio - Penn Indoor Football League ) , but then executives decided to increase the league ' s appeal to the entire Great Lakes region . So far , the league has been relatively successful , having a cumulative attendance of over 75 , 000 in the inaugural regular season . However , the league , like other indoor football associations , has been plagued by folding franchises and unenforceable policies . For example , the 2006 champion Port Huron Pirates were found to have been paying some of their players over the league salary cap . 2007 saw several teams fold during the season , and during the 2008 season , the league ' s most successful team , the Rochester Raiders , moved to the AIFA due to frustration over the failure of the league to provide notice of an opponent ' s forfeiture , resulting in lost ticket and advertising revenue . The league also failed to return the Raiders ' owners ' emergency fund deposit , which was collected specifically to protect against such occurrences . The league ' s primary competition for talent is the American Indoor Football Association , and teams have moved to and from that league . However , unlike the AIFA , the CIFL remains mostly a regional operation , with most of its teams clustered in the Midwestern United States . A similar but unrelated league , the Intense Football League , played in Texas through 2008 before merging with United Indoor Football to form the Indoor Football League for the 2009 season . Four CIFL franchises subsequently left the league to join the IFL . CIFL Championship Games . CIFL Championship Game History CIFL Rules . Field Size – 50 yards long by 25 yards wide , with end zones a minimum of 5 yards in depth . Fields may vary in size due to physical constraints within facility , with CIFL permission . End zones may be rounded due to hockey board configurations . Padded dasher board walls around the entire field that act as an extension of the ground ( only “ out of bounds ” if contact made by opposing player that forces player into the dasher wall , much like a ‘ down by contact ’ rule ) . Goal Posts – Goal posts are from the floor to the crossbar . The crossbar is in width . Anything used to hang the goalpost is considered a part of the upright . Number Of Players – Eight players per team on the field at one time . Maximum of 20 active players with a 21st player that is only eligible for special - teams plays ( kickoffs , field goals , point - after - touchdown plays ) . Playing Time – Four 15 - minute quarters with a running clock . Clock only stops for incomplete passes and out of bounds plays during the final minute of the second and fourth quarters . 25 - second play clock . Scoring – 6 points for TD , 2 points for run or pass conversion , or drop kick PAT , 1 point for place kick PAT , 2 points for defensive conversion following TD , 2 points for safety . 3 points for a field goal , 4 points for a drop kick field goal . Backfield in Motion – One player may be in motion in any direction behind the line of scrimmage prior to the snap . Offensive Linemen – Three linemen must be in a three - or four - point stance prior to the snap . They must line up guard , center , guard and next to one - another . Any offensive lineman not covered up by the fourth man on the line of scrimmage is an eligible receiver if he is wearing an eligible receiver number ( 1 - 49 , 80 - 89 ) . Defensive Linemen – There must be three defensive linemen , and they must line up on the nose , or can line up inside foot - to - outside foot outside of an offensive lineman Linemen must rush inside if nose up or slanted into if shaded , and they must make contact before any movement to the outside is made . Blitzing – Only one non - lineman can blitz at a time . This player can blitz from any direction , but must be at least five yards off the line of scrimmage / goal line prior to the snap . Players do not have to announce their eligibility to blitz . Linebackers – At least two defensive players must line up at least 5 yards behind the line of scrimmage . The other two non - linemen must either line up face - to - face with an offensive non - lineman on the line , or be five yards behind the line of scrimmage . After the snap , this rule is eliminated and the players can roam anywhere they wish , provided it doesn ’ t violate blitzing rules . Linebackers can line up at the goal line if the offense is within five yards of scoring . Kickoffs – If a kickoff leaves the field of play on the fly , the ball comes out to the 25 - yard line . The sideline walls and end zone walls are not out of bounds , and balls can be played off of them . If a kickoff leaves the field of play after making contact with the field or a player on either team , the ball comes out to the 5 - yard line , or the point in which it leaves the field of play , whichever is closest to the kicking team ’ s goal line . Offense – No punting . Offense must attempt to gain a first down or touchdown , or may attempt a field goal ( by placement or drop kick ) . Coaches – No coaches allowed on the field . Overtime – Overtime is played with NCAA - style rules ( each team gets one possession ) , but each possession is started with a kickoff rather than at the 25 - yard line . Teams must go for a two point conversion ( by scrimmage play ) starting with the third overtime session . Rule differences . The league does not utilize a rebound net , but otherwise , its rules are nearly identical to those of the Arena Football League . ( * = The league took over operations and ceased for failure to meet league requirements . )