The PolishAmerican Football League or shortly PLFA is a structured system for the American football competitions in Poland founded in 2006 by the Polish federation PZFA. In 2012, the Topliga was created as a major league with a bid rule. The remaining teams are divided into two leagues between which there is promotion and relegation. There are two eight-man football competitions: PLFA 8 for reserve teams and smaller clubs, and PLFA J for under-17 players. The top four teams from the Topliga regular season enter the playoffs and the winners meet in the championship game called the SuperFinał. The PLFA I championship game is called the PLFA Cup Game. In the 2013 season there were 74 teams in 5 leagues. 57 teams played 11-man football. The TopLiga and PLFA I are divided into two divisions, PLFA II into three divisions, and PLFA 8 and PLFAJ into five divisions based on geographical reasons. After the 2017 season, there was a split in Polish American football, 20 clubs left the PLFA and founded a new league, the Liga Futbolu Amerykańskiego or shortly LFA.
History
American football is arguably the fastest growing sport in Poland, which appeared in Poland in 1999, when a pioneer initiative was established in Warsaw. The Polish American Football Association was created in November 2004, initiated by the first two American football teams: Warsaw Eagles and 1. KFA Wielkopolska. Its founding was a response to the dynamic growth of the American football movement in Poland. The first game between Polish teams was played in December 2005 in Poznań. The first international game, officiated by professionals, was played in March 2006 – The Warsaw Eagles took on Czech team Pardubice Stallions in a game played in Warsaw. From that moment on, teams began to be established in different parts of the country. The Polish American Football League started in October 2006 with just 4 teams. There were 9 teams competing for the second championship in 2007. In 2008, the league split into two divisions - PLFA I and PLFA II. There were 22 teams competing for the 2009 season and 21 for the 2010 season. 2011- 34 teams, 2012- 42 teams, and 2013- 74 teams.
Season structure
The regular season in the Topliga starts in March/April and ends in June/July. Each team plays nine games competing against every other team in the division. A team is awarded two points for a win, one point for a tie, and zero points for a loss. After a regular season, the top four teams qualify for the play-offs and the Semi-Final winners meet in the championship game called SuperFinal; there is no 3rd place game.
Game rules
Playing rules are based on those of the NCAACollege football with minor modifications, e.g.:
Rules are adopted with a one-year delay. For example, 2011 NCAA game rule changes was adopted for 2012 PLFA season. Before 2012, coaches, players and officials used the English-language NCAA Rulebook. In February 2012, the Rulebook was translated into Polish by the Officiating Department chairman.
