SFL Rules and Regulations

[Simile000]

(credit to dubb40/amended by TheTruth1566)

These are the rules for the SFL Madden online franchise. It would be very wise to make sure you read through the rules and ask any questions you may have. I've divided the rules by sections for easier reading, please take the time to read all the rules. Thanks and good luck!!


Basic Rules
There are some basic rules to abide by in the Sideline Football League. It is important all owners follow these rules so they do not have to be warned or removed from the league. They are:
- Be courteous to all owners. Just because you didn't win your game doesn't mean it's time to argue with people or stray from the league. Take the league for what it is worth, a fun experience with fellow gamers and fans of football.
This includes during games as well. If you use a microphone please keep the context PG-13. Do not use vulgar language or threatening language towards your opponent. Any issues, report them to Dubb40 (commish), JD Bildeberg, or Cypher Simile.

- Be active. You must participate to be a member of this league. That does not just mean show up each game and play. That means being a part of the community and the league. Talk with the owners, post on the boards, vote on the polls, or you may just find yourself replaced one day.

- Be Sim. Follow the rules of the game. Just because you found a glitch play doesn't mean you are allowed to use it. Play online vs mode if you enjoy that. This is a sim league so un-sim players will not be tolerated.

- Be Responsible. Make sure you communicate with your opponent when you will play your game. Make sure you have the correct time (EST, CST, PST) as well as date. As soon as you finish a game you should be communicating with your next opponent when the game will occur. If you can not make your game, let your opponent and an admin know so we can react. Laziness will not be tolerated.


1. Game play Rules


1. 4th Downs - In regards to 4th downs, anything within your opponents 45 yard line is acceptable to go for it, ON 4TH and 1 OR 4TH and INCHES ONLY!!!
If it's 4th and 2 or longer, you are typically going to punt it unless it is a realistic situation. I know that opens a can of worms, "what is a realistic situation", well, if you feel that in the NFL they would go for it, then go for it. I don't want to see teams down by 6 going for it on 4th and 5 just because they are on their opponents 30 yard line. I'm talking it's late in the 3rd and your down by 20 on your opponents 40 yard line, or early in the 4th and you're down by 14 at your opponents 45.
Anything within a single score (8pts or less) you should be punting normally unless it's getting late in the 4th quarter. Any questions please do not hesitate I don't want any confusion regarding this.
Again the only time you should even be going for it on 4th before the 3rd quarter is if it's a 4th and 1 or 4th and inches and you are on your opponents 45 yard line or better.
You may only go for it on 4th down when TRAILING. If you have the lead you are KICKING THE FG or PUNTING the ball.


2. Game play exploitation: -No ZIG-ZAGGING whatsoever. -No manually moving around multiple defenders on Defense, you may control 1 and 1 only. -Direct snaps to the RB are not allowed.

-Multiple motions per play. Not allowed. -Abusing Hot Routes. Not allowed.

-Rolling out with the QB excessively, running backwards with QB, etc. Not allowed. -Abusing certain plays/money plays.

-No moving additional players back to defend in punt coverage -No running the score up. (hum/cpu) if you are up by 2 possessions late, don't still be airing it out please.

-NO FAKE FG's/PUNTS

-No Glitches i.e. the QB Spy Glitch.

-No Huddle Excessive use of the no-huddle is strictly prohibited. Acceptable uses of the no-huddle include: The end of quarters The 4th quarter when trailing by more than 2 TDs Sprinkled in sporadically during the game but more than 3 times consecutively is not allowed.

-No Quick snapping. Rushing your offense to the line of scrimmage and not allowing the defense to get set is strictly prohibited. Whenever you motion a player allow the corner/linebacker/safety to get set before hiking the football.

-No "F.A.G." defense. There has to be at least 3 defenders rushing the passer at all times.

- Excessive Quick Passing ===> Understandable if you have to because of a blitz on the way but it should never be your whole offense.

- Defensive Line usage ===> You cannot control a defensive lineman presnap, but you are able to control an OLB (ROLB/LOLB) or other blitzer (CB, SS, FS) at the line of scrimmage.

****NEW****

Quote: Originally Posted by TheTruth1566

If you're lucky enough to have a computer game or an opponent go on auto for you now or in the future, keep in mind that this is a simulation football league and stat padding will be frowned upon. With saying that, if you're not playing a human opponent, you are to not score anymore than 52 points. That will be the maximum going forward. The NFL hasn't had a 58 point game in a couple of seasons now. So keep this in mind in the future. Thanks. Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

[Simile000]

SFL Player Movement

Trades

All teams are allowed 2 offseason trades and 1 in-season trades.

You may not carry trades over from season to season. The offseason is classified as the end of the Super Bowl until Week 1.

*NEW*

Users will be allowed to trade ONE player over 93 overall only ONE time over the life of M15.

Players with an overall of 90-93 overall being traded must be traded for another player with a 90-93 overall OR a 1st round pick...UNLESS the following requirements are met:

Players with an overall of 90-93 overall can be traded without a 1st round pick or 90-93 overall equivalent in the case that a player is A) at an undervalued position [FB, P, or K], B) a player is 30 years old or older or C) a deal is a logical trade for a 90-93 overall (no need to deal an 89 ovr and 1st round pick for a 91 ovr. The trade committee will determine if the trade is logical or not)

First round rookies will NOT be traded or cut from your roster until AFTER their 3rd year in the league. (So they have to remain on the drafted user's team for 3 years)

ALL TRADES WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE TRADE COMMITTEE...so if you see some injustice let the committee handle it

[Simile000]

Why Zig-Zagging will not be tolerated...

Zig-Zagging ===> the act of "cutting" or changing directions on M15 using the left analog stick.

Please see AC KNOWS' post below in regards to the Highlight Stick

Quote: Originally Posted by AC IS ART

Right Analog "HIGHLIGHT STICK" M15Edition (Learn It. Live It. Love It.) IN THIS LEAGUE, the highlight stick is to be applied TO ALL LATERAL MOVEMENTS. Why? Balancing issues. The momentum(change/shift of direction of your players) is unbalanced allowing offensive players to change directions without adhering to physics while defenders must stop and plant before changing directions. It also replicates the act of a player using "his vision" to cut into a hole or to run to daylight. What do legal cuts look like? Side Hop-step- Flick the Right Analog left or right Head Fake Juke- Move Right Analog left to right or vice versa consecutively And a plethora of other moves and combos using the Right Analog as well as Left Trigger(Precision Modifier) * The Ignite Engine will take over from time to time during collisions, causing you to lose control of the player temporarily. Examples of illegal cuts that will get you booted fast... * This doesn't exclude or mean its OK to make subtle left stick jukes because they aren't as drastic as the clips above. That includes the famous bounce/swerve to another gap if defenders are clogging the lane, shimmying into a hole, subtle swerves to navigate through traffic, swerving around on kickoffs, finding a convoy on INT returns, etc. etc. etc.... * The only true reason one has to not use the highlight stick is if they're scrambling with the QB behind the line of scrimmage. The Highlight Stick isn't an activated button until you pass the line of scrimmage. *Also if you are using Speed/Shovel/Triple Option plays in which the QB is in a state where he's unable to juke. Simple rule. Easy to follow. No excuses when the regular season starts.

[Simile000]

[ZIG-ZAGGING CONT.]

Just to add...

There will be NO left analog usage in the backfield. If you want to change directions then back juke and then cut to the appropriate side.

If you're going against a user and he happens to zig-zag you then calmly pause the game and send a message (or if you're in a party chat tell him to watch the left analog usage). Do NOT do any of the following...

Get into a shouting match with your opponent over zig-zagging
Rage quit due to zig-zagging
Rage quit the league due to zig-zagging
Tell an admin on a person for zig-zagging without confronting your opponent first

Zig-Zagging and "left sticking" is the swiftest way to get yourself booted from the SFL. If the league finds you to be utilizing the left analog stick then you may be subject to penalties or you may be booted from the league.

If you have any questions or concerns then please message someone on the Admin team.

[MitchDaCr3ator]

So players drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft can be traded now? 94+ overall guys can be traded?

[Simile000]

Quote: Originally Posted by MitchDaCr3ator

So players drafted in the first round of the 2013 draft can be traded now? 94+ overall guys can be traded?

No to the first question and I just edited the trade rules post in regards to the second question.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[AndrewGW88]

What about just trading draft picks? Do they count toward the 2 offseason trades? Like say if I wanted to move a couple spots ahead and offer my next two draft picks for it but already had used two offseason trades involving players.

[primrtime]

Quote: Originally Posted by AndrewGW88

What about just trading draft picks? Do they count toward the 2 offseason trades? Like say if I wanted to move a couple spots ahead and offer my next two draft picks for it but already had used two offseason trades involving players.

Yeah it counts towards your two offseason trades.