IFL and other indoor leagues

[BrendanP]

What are the requirements to break into low-level arena football, and what's it like working said leagues? I eventually want to get out of high school, but don't really want to do college.

[bossman72]

The leagues are very fly-by-night.  When they're well run, they're a lot of fun.  When they aren't, your checks bounce all over the place.

Once drove 2 hrs to a game with the crew to find out it was cancelled when we got there.  Obviously, never got paid.  Had checks bounce in that league too.  It folded after that year.

[BrendanP]

I've heard from players, fans, coaches, and referees alike that the AFL shouldn't be touched with a ten-foot pole right now for that very reason. What kind of experience are the indoor leagues looking for in officials?

[Sonofanump]

1) In lower level indoor leagues, cash in hand before you take the field.
2) In upper level indoor leagues, they want NCAA level/quality officials.

[Rulesman]

Everyone I know who has worked Arena ball has NCAA experience: FBS, FCS or D-II. Most of them have been entrenched for several years, which tells me turnover is minimal.  Without college experience I believe you would be wasting your time. As for the other leagues...buyer beware.

[clearwall]

When I was in San Antonio, I ran chains for a few of the AFL games there. The R I remember was in the C-USA and I'm sure the others were too.