Who remembers Electric Football? If you frequent the Stack Wit Nat Show, you know. But, if you’re new, you might be surprised to know that Electric Football is alive and well. Yes, that old game you had when you were a kid, that made all that noise, the players went around and around if they didn’t just fall down. Yeah!!! That game is not only still around, it is THRIVING!! That’s right. Thriving in all caps!

It goes by the name “The Hobby” for those involved. In the dictionary hobby is defined as, “An activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation.” I like this definition better when it comes to Electric Football, “To concern oneself excessively with a favorite notion or activity.” Anybody involved knows it is to excess! People spend countless hours and resources concerning themselves with whatever part of this game they like. The great thing about it is that there are so many aspects to it, there really is something for everybody.

I would break it up into three categories though. First there’s the competition. People want to play the game against an opponent and see who can win. Second there’s the toy collecting piece of it. Miniature figures, stadiums and anything else you can possibly imagine surrounding football. Third is everything else. There are broadcasts, websites, businesses, artists, speakers, visionaries, and on and on, related to Electric Football. I myself fall into this category with this article and this website. One of my favorite quotes comes from Roger Fisher of the Gridiron Buzz Network, “Whatever you put into this hobby, you’re gonna get back so much more.”

So, let’s dig into the competition part. There are leagues throughout the United States where “coaches” go to pit their Electric Football teams against others and put all the hours and hours of preparation to the ultimate test. Coaches build their teams up with obsessive precision. There is no amount of time that is too much. Some have been known to spend their whole paycheck and more to get just the right personnel on the board for their league play. Once that game day arrives, it is time to crack some plastic!!! After two years of following the hobby under the care and tutelage of Mr. National, I have gathered some knowledge of what’s what. Some! Here’s a rundown of the leagues in no significant order.

Philly NEFL

Known as the National Electric Football League based in the city brotherly love. It has run for 22 years and boasts a massive roster of premier coaches. They fill out the entire NFL lineup of teams and simply follow the NFL schedule from a couple of years prior. The league starts after the Super Bowl and ends in June.

East Coast Miniature Football Leagues

This is one of the most competitive and dedicated groups in the nation. Brian Phillips, Jeff McCauley, Darren Jahmani, and crew really elevate the game. They also do a great service by broadcasting games. Listening to Jeff McCauley call an Electric Football game is akin to an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy. If you don’t learn something, you are actively avoiding it.

Deep South Miniature Football League

Some of the greatest characters, and the Electric Football community is full of them, come out of this league. It is played primarily around the Atlanta area.

Ohio Valley Electric Football League

Coaches throughout the midwest trek to Columbus and Cincinnati to get their games in. This league is competitive and growing.

M1 Electric Football Association

This league is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan and draws a great lineup of coaches year in and year out.

Great Lakes Electric Football League

Detroit is no doubt a hotbed for Electric Football. You can hardly throw a rock in the motor city and not hit an Electric Football Hall of Famer. Yes, you read that right. There’s an Electric Football Hall of Fame. If you’re in and around Michigan and you want to see it done right, check out the Great Lakes EFL.

The Electric Football Network

Terron Gillespie, from Bowling Green, Ohio, wanted to have the Electric Football league that he always dreamed about. So, he did it! It involves cooking out, hanging out, and lots of EF. In June they host the Glass City Showdown and it is awesome.

Midwest Electric Football League

Jimbo, Frank, AJ, Arik. Some of the names who play in this Chicagoland league, but are well known throughout the land. One great thing about Electric Football is that there are a million different ways to play it. Each league has its own rules. Here they use the famed Strategy Divider. It makes for exciting EF!

Independent Electric Football League

A Philadelphia based electric football league. They play a more open and fun style of electric football with Front Of Base tackling. Again, each league is unique.

Thunder Valley

Reigning from Clarksville, Tennessee, this is the home league of Roger and Dustyn Fisher. The Fishers are famous for the Gridiron Buzz Network. We can’t say enough about what GBN has done for Electric Football.

CAEFL

This California league is known for selecting one coach each year and flying them to Southern California for a weekend so they can be a part of the league. Is that cool or what!?!

Los Angeles Electric Football League

This is one of the oldest and most prestigious leagues there is. Its cast of legendary coaches is unmatched!

DFW

Electric Football in the Lone Star state is just like everything else there, BIG! Every year great coaches compete in this league.

Kansas City Electric Football

The beloved Lynn Weirdwolf Schmidt is the heart and soul of Electric Football. I’m not sure if he’s George Halas or Vince Lombardi when it comes to Electric Football. Maybe he’s Pete Rozelle. I’m sure he’d prefer Hank Stram. Nonetheless, KC is where his league is.

Bay Area Electric Football League

Is it Oakland or San Francisco? AFC or NFC? This great league features two Divisions. The Golden Gate Division (San Francisco, San Mateo, and San Jose areas) and the Bay Division (Oakland, Concord, and Sacramento areas).

OKLAEFL

Oklahoma City! With such a strong football tradition, why wouldn’t Electric Football be there too. Ask EF super enthusiast Carl Coley IV. He’ll tell you.

FAT8 Conference

College football! I told you, there’s something for everybody.

Who did I miss??? Let me know. This list doesn’t include the many leagues around the nation that come and go. There are tournaments unaccounted for in this list as well. Perhaps the most significant events in Electric Football, the T.O.C., or Tournament of Champions, is not included here. Stay tuned!