NAL Brings Back Rebound Nets for 2023

ATLANTA, GA – Following the conclusion of the 2022 season, the National Arena League is excited to announce that they will bring back rebound nets to the sport of arena football, a bold move that will amplify the NAL game. Popularized by the Arena Football League, the Nets add a new dimension to the NAL game for special teams, defense, and even offense. Both nets & ironman football will debut only in the National Arena League and will be coming to a NAL team near you in 2023 season and raise the level of excitement of the game. The NAL is still keeping the “Deuce” on kickoffs; where the kicking team is awarded 2 points for any kickoff that goes through the uprights with exception of after a safety.  The return team would get the ball on the 5 yard line after a successful deuce.  “What an incredible day for the National Arena League.” stated Commissioner Chris Siegfried. “We are now going to play the game the way it was intended to be played.  Our players will become the next legends of the game.”

The NAL will distinguish itself from other indoor leagues by its use of large rebound nets which are attached to the side of each goal post, which means any kickoff that hits the nets remains in play, eliminating play-ending touchbacks. It can also create turnovers and other big plays.  For example, an over-thrown pass in the end zone can rebound off the nets and be caught for a touchdown, or intercepted by a defender making red zone passes more difficult. It will also give the kicking team an opportunity to recover should the return team not field the ball cleanly. With the introduction of rebound nets for the 2023 season, the kicker & kicker returner positions will now become even more vital to NAL teams as the room for error continues to narrow, bringing on a new list of scenarios that can occur with nets that could become game deciding based on error or performance.

The presence of nets has long been a part of the sport of arena football and it affects both game play & strategy. Nets add a special dynamic to the game and doubles the level of intensity by extending plays for the benefit of the fans. Like the walls, the nets add to the field of play and also act as a boundary that can return balls back into live action whether that leads to a reception, interception, fumble, or return for a score.

NAL end zone rebound nets will be 30 feet wide by 32 feet tall and hang in both end zones. The bottom of the nets are eight feet off the turf. The field goal posts will continue to be 9 feet wide and 15 feet tall, which are nearly half the width of NFL goal posts. During the last season nets were used for play, the 2019 Arena Football League season, fans witnessed over 14 kicks that were returned for touchdowns during the regular season.  That number dwarfed other indoor leagues who did not use nets; those leagues saw less than six returns for TD per season. The decision to move forward with nets will add more return action, intensity, and heart dropping moments to the sport all resulting in even more great reasons to cheer for your favorite NAL team.

ABOUT NATIONAL ARENA LEAGUE
The National Arena League was founded in 2016 and hosted its inaugural season in 2017 as the premier league in arena football. For more information regarding expansion opportunities or partnerships, contact Commissioner Chris Siegfried at chris@nationalarenaleague.com . For more information about the NAL visit www.nationalarenaleague.com, facebook.com/nationalarenaleauge, twitter.com/NALfootball, Instagram.com/nationalarenaleague.