The PFL - Rulebook
PRE-GAME
1. Schedule a Game: Each week a post will be made in the Schedule Arrangement forum for each game that week. Once this is posted you should post your availability for the forthcoming week, give times and days that you are available so your opponent can try to tie in with you when is best. Try to be flexible, your availability may not be identical.
Communication is key. Be proactive in making arrangements to play. We understand that things happen, schedules change, etc.
However, if you're in constant communication with your opponent, the effects of these things are significantly minimized. Being flexible is also very helpful. Sometimes the schedules of two members don't exactly coincide with each other and it takes the effort of both parties to find an agreeable time to play. This is practically impossible to do if you're not communicating with someone.
When corresponding with someone, AVOID saying these kinds of things:
- "I'll find you on MSN"
- "Sometime on Saturday"
- "I'll get back to you later in the week"
These kinds of things do very little towards the task of getting something scheduled. Many of us here have responsibilities outside of league games and do a lot better scheduling games rather than doing them on the fly. That said, don't get upset if you message someone out of the blue, ask them to play a league game, and they tell you no. If they're up for it, fine. If not, discuss a time when you might both be available to play.
2. Overdue Matches: If a match is overdue the league reserves the right to Sim a result. A Sim'd result is final and cannot be appealed. Exceptions to the overdue rule are if holidays/absences are notified to the league prior to the fixtures due date. You are given 7 days to play a game after which the game is at risk of being sim'd. If you are planning to go on holiday/vacation then let admin and your opponent know so that the deadline can be extended to play the game. Sim'd games will be decided in the first instance by activity in the Schedule Arrangement post. The more you post the more likely you are to be given the result.
3. No-shows: From time to time a game is arranged and for whatever reason one party does not turn up. Whilst we understand things may come up from time to time please do your best to let your opponent know that you can't make it, either via a pm or xbl message. If this isn't possible then please ensure you apologise for not showing up. There is nothing worse than making an effort to play and you having to wait around, an apology is the least you should expect.
We would suggest that 15 minutes maximum is a reasonable time to wait before logging off or going to do something else.
Persistent no-show'rs will be removed from the league at admin's discretion.
4. Headsets: Headsets are recommended during games. I understand that some don't like to talk during games and instead would prefer to focus on what you are doing. You may have children/wives alseep and you don't want to wake them, however you should still have the headset on so that you can hear your opponent should he need to tell you something.... he has to pause the game, has to go to the bathroom, important phone call, controller battery is dying, etc. Again, I'm not saying you have to talk for the entire game but keep the channels of communication OPEN. If you're playing late at night or otherwise need to be quiet during a game, please inform your opponent prior to kickoff.
5. Game Settings:
- Game Type: Unranked
- Quarter Length: 10 Mins
- Accelerated Clock: 20 secs
- Skill Level: All-Pro
- Injuries: On
- Fatigue: On
Once in the game go to the xbox live menu, choose the Invite Friend option, setup the game options and then pick your opponent from your friends list.
7. Connection problems: sometimes there are problems with two people connecting. The first thing to check is that both of your NATs are open (in the Xbox connection settings, if you are not sure what this is then ask). Assuming they are open and you still have problems, then please let admin know and we may give you an extension of the deadline to continue trying to connect.
If all else fails we will Sim the result.
IN-GAME
8. Cheese: We are striving to be a Sim league, that is to try to play as teams do in the NFL. Therefore, play calling should reflect that in your games. If you wouldn't see it in the NFL, you probably shouldn't be seeing it in these league games.
9. Playbooks: no limitations, whatever one you want to use.
10. Audibles/hotroutes/playmaker options: no limitations.
11. Adjusting depth charts in the game: no limitations, (even if someone is injured in real life but listed at the bottom of the depth chart).
12. Running the Clock: the play clock may only be run down within the final two minutes of the game.
13. 4th Downs: No going for it on 4th down unless the situation calls for it, some specific examples are;
1. Within 15 seconds of half time, or the end of the game,
2. You are 4th and 2 yards or less and within your opponents 30,
3. You are down by 10 points or more or more in the 4th quarter and in your opponents half.
With the exception of point 2 above, at all other times when you are in your own half you must punt.
These aren't the only situations but the main ones. We expect plays to be ones you see in the NFL every week.
Finally, if you are not going to take a field goal or punt on 4th down then you must tell your opponent you are 'going for it' before you choose your formation.
14. Onside kicks: Onside kicks can only be used in the 4th quarter if you are losing by 7 or more points.
15. No huddle offence: The same should be said about the hurry up offense. This should be reserved for late in the game when you're down or at the end of the half.
16. QB running: As far as running with the quarterback...I'm not going to say you can't run with the QB but it should NOT be a staple of your offense. No one is going to complain when your guys are covered or when you're about to be sacked.
You shouldn't be heading for the sidelines right, or dropping back 20 yards after the snap on most passing plays.
17. Moving DE's: Manually moving the DE's outside the O-line is discouraged. Moving them towards the inside or moving the tackles is fine. Defensive shifts that are done using the left button are fine.
18. Glitches/Exploits: There are a few glitches in the game, I'm not going to list them, but if you are exploiting these on a regular basis, and are aware of them, then you may be penalised. Although it's nice to win, it's not at any cost.
Remember, we have experienced and rookie players. Rookies may well glitch by accident, do not complain about it but point out why was wrong and what they should do to avoid it in future.
19. Sportsmanship: Use the Golden Rule. Treat others how you wish to be treated. Don't run up the score to pad your stats. If you have someone down and beaten, late in the game, have some class and run the clock out without rubbing salt in their wounds. Generally speaking, up by more than two scores with 2 minutes remaining should dictate you running the ball.
20. Disconnects: unfortunately these happen from time to time, however what we would ask is that you try to sort this out between yourselves. If neither of you have scored, or the scores are level then restarting is an option.
If a game disconnects within a minute of the start of a quarter then play the quarter again. Try to get back to a similar field position and then take a knee to swap possession.
If you are further into the quarter than that then again try to get to a similar field possession and take knees until the time is approximately correct.
If your opponent agrees to forfeit the game then that is ok.
POST-GAME
21. Reporting Results:
This is the responsibility of the home team's Coach and should be posted within 24 hours of the game.
The final result should be posted in the Results forum. The title of the post should include the Week number and both Coach's names, ie Week 1: Burnzee at AdeyL. In the body of the post both teams names and the final score should be shown at the top of the post.
Please also add the game stats as explained below, these should be added by the winner of the game, not the home team.
22. Reporting Stats: because we are playing unranked games it is no longer possible to receive emailed stats. Consequently we require that stats are collected manually and reported in your result post. These stats should be recorded by the winning team, this is not optional. Serial offenders will forfeit their right to a playoff birth, so take heed.
The required stats are shown below, please note that these are team stats NOT player stats.
Quarter Scores
Q1, Q2, Q3, Q3, OT, Total
Passing
Pass attempts
Passes completed
Passing yards
Passing touchdowns
Interceptions thrown
Times QB sacked
Rushing
Rush attempts
Rushing yards
Rushing touchdowns
Fumbles made
The stats should be recorded in the following way in the results post;
Box score
......Q1.2.3.4.FINAL
Team1 3-10-7-7=27
Team2 0-3-14-3=20
Passing (total QB stats only)
......COM/ATT-YDS...TD..INT..SAC
Team1 15/18-187yds 3td 1int 2sac
Team2 10/17-121yds 2td 2int 1sac
(note QB stats should be the total for all QBs used per team, not individual player stats)
Rushing
......ATT-YDS...TD..FUM
Team1 15-54yds 1td 2fum
Team2 19-90yds 1td 0fum
23. Grievances: We understand that not every game will be played under the best circumstances for whatever reason, however, what we do not expect to see is a post from either Coach complaining about the result (he did this, he did that etc etc). If you have a problem then get in touch with one of the staff team to let them know your issues. The staff team will then investigate the issues and make a ruling on it.
24. Playoffs: 14 teams will contest the playoffs, the 8 divisional winners plus the 3 next best records in each conference.
25. Promotion/Relegation: the top 2 teams in each Minor League division will be promoted to the PFL, replacing the bottom 4 ranked PFL teams. The two 3rd placed Minor League teams will playoff against the 27th and 28th ranked teams.
26. Tie Break: head to head performance will determine qualification where available, followed by points difference (limited to max 21 point differential per game) and finally coin toss.
All rights reserved to amend rules as required during a season. Rulebook last updated 12/9/09.