Rules are subject to change and are the sole responsibility of each member to check them before each league game. Further, we reserve the right to handle each infraction on a case by case basis and impose any sanctions deemed necessary by the front office.
ARTICLE I: GENERAL EXPECTATIONS OF A LEAGUE MEMBER
1.1 SPORTSMANSHIP / CLASS We are all here to compete for that one common goal, to become the next OFL Champion. In doing so, it is encouraged to lead by example when playing in the OFL. That means, winning and losing with class ... never to verbally abuse your opponent unnecessarily over the Mic, and to always compete with a 'never say die' attitude in every game you play while in this league.
1.2 GROUPMe APP
Our league uses the GroupMe application (GroupMe) to communicate throughout the season. It is a great way for all league members, especially new, to come to know the community on a lot of different levels.
1.3 GROUPME USAGE
It is the sole responsibility of each member to check the GroupMe app for any pertinent news updates or changes to the current season. Furthermore, when a member has been tagged for scheduling purposes in the app, it is recommended that said opponent respond in a timely manner to help keep the season moving. Bottom line, hit the app all day everyday!
1.4 GROUPME SCHEDULING LEAGUE GAMES
All league members must use the GroupME application when scheduling league games during the season. Once you have downloaded the app, it is your responsibility to join the scheduling group. After joining the group, it is REQUIRED to change your nickname within the app to reflect your GAMERTAG. This way, when you or your opponent are trying to make contact, they can simply use the tagging feature - just like Facebook. The only notifications you will receive after joining the app, is when someone tags you. Otherwise, you will need to return to the app to read any or all messages.
1.5 GROUPME GROUPS TO JOINGroupMe | Chat
GroupMe | Scheduling
GroupMe | Trade Talks
GroupMe | Trade Approvals
1.6 HEADSETS ONLY (NO KINECT!!)
Headsets are not mandatory, but recommended. HOWEVER, IF -- you are not going to wear a headset during a league game, you MUST make yourself available TEXT and or via LIVE MESSAGE. If your opponent pauses the game and hits you up on for whatever reason, it is your responsibility to answer and reply ASAP. DO NOT ignore your opponent for any reason. This may come back to play against you -- especially if the rule is not followed accordingly. Lastly, we do not allow Kinect during league play .. you MUST use a MIC!
1.7 FRIENDS LIST
It is REQUIRED for all OFL members to FOLLOW all missing league members to their friends list on Xbox LIVE and in return, THEY need to FOLLOW BACK. This will make it much easier to locate/communicate with all league opponents on a weekly basis.
ARTICLE II. OFL SEASON FORMAT
1.1 SCHEDULE ADVANCEMENT / DEADLINE PENALTY
We will play 1 game every 2-3 days, depending on the # of members for the given season. As always, If we finish our games early, we will advance early.
DEADLINE PENALTY: If all HUMAN vs HUMAN games have been played for the given week and there are HUMAN vs CPU games still pending, they will be sim'd - let alone, at the day of the deadline. No exceptions!!
1.2 LEAGUE SETTINGS
Instant Starter: OFF
Salary Cap: OFF
Skill Level: All-Pro
Quarter Length: 6 Minutes
Accelerated Clock: ON
Minimum Play Clock Time: 20
Game Speed: Normal
Player Progression Frequency: Weekly
Coach Firing: OFF
Game Play Tuning: YES
Injury: OFF
Pre Existing Injury: OFF
Trade Deadline: ON
Trade Type: Enable Human
Relocation Settings: Normal
League Type: Coaches Only
1.3 PLAYBOOKS
Legal offensive playbooks: All books are legal EXCEPT, CUSTOM.
Legal defensive playbooks: All books are legal EXCEPT, CUSTOM.
Illegal offensive/defensive books: Anything other than what was stated above.
It is REQUIRED that each team show the playbooks they are using at the team screen BEFORE entering the game. If it is found that a member chooses NOT to show their book, they will be removed from the league - immediately. No questions asked!
1.4 BANNED PLAY/S
Formation: Trey Y Flex
Play: Fake Screen Wheel
*Any member found using this formation/play, will be dealt with accordingly.
1.4 UNIFORM SELECTIONS
The HOME TEAM will have first choice of uniform color. Example, Dark or Light. It is MANDATORY that the AWAY TEAM use the opposite color.
1.5 OVERTIME PLAY
All real-life NFL rules apply.
1.6 SUPER BOWL STADIUM SELECTION
It is MANDATORY for the Super Bowl to be played at the actual site in real-life.
1.7 DROPS & DISCONNECTS
As drops and disconnects do happen from time to time, we will leave it up to both opponents to determine how they want to handle the final score. IE, play a half, play it over or concede the game. However, it is ENTIRELY UP TO THE PERSON WINNING THE GAME to take the points earned from the first game into the replayed game.
1.8 HUMAN VS CPU GAMES (THE TINY RULE)
Any game that has playoff implications or any playoff game where a member cannot meet the deadline, said user will be placed on autopilot and the opponent will be forced to play the CPU. The final score will be deemed final - no exceptions! Conversely, each matchup will be examined via case-by-case.
ARTICLE III. OFFENSE
1.1 MIXING UP PLAYS
Mix up your plays and formations while playing within your teams strengths. If you have a running type team, then run -- if you have a passing type team, then pass -- just mix up your plays -- especially, on long sustaining drives.
1.2 RUNNING UP THE SCORE
If you are up big on points and the game is clearly out of reach, please have some sense of control and run the ball. Please respect this rule with the best of intentions I am sure you would not want to be decimated anymore than you have to be.
1.3 NO HUDDLE
It is mandatory that we DO NOT come out in a no huddle to start league games, let alone run the NO HUDDLE the entire game. That said, there Are times (when down big on Pt's), that the NO HUDDLE is justified; IE, under 2 minutes at the end of each half -- depending on the circumstances. Use common sense when running the NO HUDDLE. If it seems unjustified given the situation, do not do it.
1.4 RUNNING SCREENS
If you are going to run a screen, then run it as it was intended. You may NOT hot route a WR to a drag or in route - for example, completely banning the screen just to throw it to the hot-routed WR. This is a clear manipulation of the defense. That being said, if the screen looks fully covered, you MAY throw it elsewhere AS LONG AS no hot routing is involved.
1.5 QB, DROP BACK RULE
QB drop backs should not exceed 10 yards. Extreme drop backs and running around back and forth until a receiver gets open is NOT PERMITTED. However, we do understand that from time to time you may need to pass outside the pocket after being pressured by the Defense.
1.6 QB RUNNING
It is OK to run with your QB 3 times a game at any point and time.
1.6.1 QB RUN TYPES ALLOWED
Any type of QB run is allowed but no more than 3 times per game.
1.7 FORMATIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS
Any formation in the game is allowed. Furthermore, whatever substitutions the game allows -- will be permitted.
1.7.1 WILD-CAT USAGE
The Wild-Cat will be permitted -- additionally, any subs such as QBs, RBs and WRs will be allowed when using this formation. Keep in mind, if you choose to run with your QB out of the wild-cat, this will be considered 1 of your 3 QB runs for the game.
1.8 FB/HB Position Play
It is not recommended that a HB play the FB position, however, we do understand there are 'some' formations that place HB's in the FB position. As long as this is not abused over the course of a game, it will be allowed until further notice.
1.9 NO WR at HB
No WR at the HB position, PERIOD. Whether it is through formation subs, audibles or anything else.
1.10 NO WR at TE
No WR at the TE position, PERIOD. Whether it is through formation subs, audibles or anything else.
1.11 FULL BACK RUNS
FB runs of any kind ARE allowed.
1.12 MOTION
Any form of motion is legal – be it from the run or pass.
1.13 FOURTH DOWN RULE
Ask yourself, would an NFL team go for it on Sunday? Whatever the case, this rule MUST BE USED WITH COMMON SENSE ONLY!!!!
1.13.1 FOURTH DOWN RULE (Cont'd ...)
Whenever you are at your opponents 3 yard line, you have the option of going for it without any uncertainty. The old saying, high risk - high reward.
NO MATTER WHAT: Always make sure that your opponent is aware that you are going for it via the mic, text or whatsapp, before doing so.
ARTICLE IV. DEFENSE
1.1 THE 4 NO'S ON D
No manual blitzing
No playing the defensive line
No manually gapping the LOS with LB's or DB's at anytime.
No dropping 9 or more men back into coverage.
1.2 FORMATIONS/SUBSTITUTIONS
Any formation in the game is allowed. Furthermore, whatever substitutions the game allows -- will be permitted.
ARTICLE V. SPECIAL TEAMS
1.1 PUNT RULE
When punting the ball you MUST put air underneath it. If you want to punt it out of bounds WITH AIR UNDERNEATH IT or coffin kick it legitimately, that is fine. Laser punts that turn into 65 yard punts, is unrealistic in real-life and in this game. Nobody in the NFL would kick these low line drive laser shots simply because they will get blocked more often than not.
1.2 BLOCKED FG's AND PUNTS
Manual blocks be it field goals or punts, will be allowed.
1.3 FAKE PUNTS/FAKE FG's
There will be no fake punts or field goals allowed, ever.
1.4 SQUIB KICKS
Squib kicks may only be used at the end of each half.
1.4 PUNT RECEIVING TEAM RULE
During a punt, it will deemed ILLEGAL to manually pull players back to block before or during the punting process. Respect this rule with the best of intentions.
ARTICLE VI. PENALTIES
1.1 ACCEPTING / DECLINING
It will be OK to accept ANY penalty throughout a league game. Penalties are unfortunately part of the game, be it real-life or in the game of Madden.
ARTICLE VII. CFM TRADES
1.1 OUTLINE
Trades will be open through week 9 of the regular season just as it is in real-life. Once the week has turned, no longer will trades be allowed.
1.2 DETAILS
Once a trade has been accepted between both parties, it is REQUIRED that one of the parties post the trade in the OFL TRADES APPROVAL group using the GroupMe app.
1.2.1 A trade must be within 5 total points one way or the other. For example, you could trade a 70 rated player for a 75 rated player, but a 70 rated player for a 76 rated player - will be declined. The same applies with all package deals. If a trade falls outside of the 5 point swing, those that are on the trade committee may approve if they see fit.
1.3 HOW TO POST TRADES FOR APPROVAL IN THE GROUPME APP
Rating / Player Name / Pos
For
Rating / Player Name / Pos
OR
Rating / Player Name / Pos
Rating / Player Name / Pos
Rating / Player Name / Pos
For
Rating / Player Name / Pos
Rating / Player Name / Pos
Rating / Player Name / Pos
1.4 TRADE PENALTIESAny trade that is made outside of the aforementioned method, will be removed from the league - without question! All trades must be 'approved' by a staff member first.
