MFPL League Rules (Madden)
MFPL League Rules (Madden)
Written by Nick Metro Tuesday, 17 November 2009 09:41
MFPL League Rules (Madden 2010 Release)
Introduction
All PGL League rules are based on fair play and respect for your fellow owner. We are a community that has a primary goal to provide a medium for owners to have FUN while encouraging competitive play. The bottom line is to have FUN win or lose. Owners are expected to uphold principles of sportsmanship and fair play at all times and will refrain from running up the score. Communication is a building block for our leagues. We mandate the wearing of headsets during each league game and encourage conversation between owners. We are as much in this for the community building aspect as the competitive league play. Owners will be polite and refrain from the use of offensive or abusive language. This is not tolerated under any circumstances. Each owner will play fairly without the use of known glitches or cheats. Non-sportsmanship like behavior will result in your removal from the league. If owners do not respect the league, fellow owners, and its rules you will be removed. This is your warning so removal will be immediate. Everyone is required to read the rules. Ignorance of the rules is no excuse.
Fair Play and Sportsmanship
All disagreements and disputes are to be handled in a professional manner, in private, and involve the owners and commissioner(s). Any public display of disrespect toward your opponent, either on the forums or EA site will result in your removal from the league. All owners will play within the spirit of the game. Running the same play over and over to take advantage of a flaw in the game is prohibited. Quitting is strictly prohibited. Above all, use common sense and play the game like it is meant to be played. If you follow those two guidelines, you will not have to worry about "cheese" or “glitches”. I am assuming that most of you know the rules of football and the spirit of the game, and if you have any problems/thoughts/concerns let commissioner(s) know.
Headsets are Required
Headsets are NOT an option. Communication is a building block for our leagues. We mandate the wearing of headsets during each league game and encourage conversation between owners. Yet we also understand that some may not like to talk much during games as it may throw them off. In this case, please at the very least talk to your opponent at the start of the game and make sure that they know your there and that you will have your headset on if they need to say something to you. We are as much in this for the community building aspect as the competitive league play. We do not want any animosity between any owners and will not allow it to go very far.
If you do not have a functioning headset, GET ONE. If you have a headset that breaks, let us know and you may get an exception until you can get one.
Not wearing a headset and communicating with your opponent at least at t5he start of the game is a cause for a yellow card, League Infraction. We ask that any opponent that doesn’t ware a headset is reported to the Commissioner ASAP.
If you do not have a functioning headset, GET ONE. If you have a headset that breaks, let us know and you may get an exception until you can get one.
Not wearing a headset and communicating with your opponent at least at t5he start of the game is a cause for a yellow card, League Infraction. We ask that any opponent that doesn’t ware a headset is reported to the Commissioner ASAP.
Game Setup
- Skill: All Madden or All Pro
- Injuries: On
- Fatigue: On
- Quarter Length: 6 Minutes
- Play Clock: On
- Accelerated clock: OFF
- Home Field Advantage Effects: On
- Ice the Kicker: On
Game Sliders (TBD)
- Offsides:
- False Start:
- Holding:
- Facemask:
- OffensivePass Interference:
- DefensivePass Interference:
- KR/PR Interference:
- Clipping:
- Intentional Grounding:
- Rough Passer:
- Rough Kicker:
- QB Accuracy:
- Pass Block:
- Wide Receiver Catch:
- RB Ability:
- Run Blocking:
Game AI
Game Play Rules - Anti-Cheese/Glitch (Include but are not limited to):
- If they do not do it on Sunday or Monday Night then do not expect do it in this league!
- Stats are great, but PLEASE do not intentionally run up your stats for one or two superstar players so that you can lead the world on key stats. Stay competitive, but don’t overdo it when it comes to relaying on one or two guys to carry most of your stats. You will be called out on this and asked to explain yourself and also asked to tone it down.
- Quarterbacks can only perform:
- Three (3) step drop;
- Five (5) step drop;
- Seven (7) step drop;
- Ten (10) step drop (should be minimal).
- Defensive lineman must be in a 3-pt stance.
- Defensive lineman must maintain their respective positions i.e. the defensive tackle (DT) cannot line up outside of the defensive end (DE).
- DE is not permitted to line up any further outside than the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle (OT).
In-season/Pre-season depth chart changes are limited to the below ONLY:
- Interchange CB/FS/SS
- Interchange OLB/ILB
- Interchange DE/DT
- Interchange RB/FB
Formation Specific Changes
- TE for FB – Goaline ONLY
- TE for WR - TE must be in slot position
- RB for WR - RB must be in slot position
- DE Control before the Snap NOTE: We may need a rule in here for the control of the DE before the snap. It seems like there is a DE Blitz glitch.
- Abuse of the cadence to draw defense offsides is not permitted i.e. should be used no more than two (2) times a half.
- Kickoffs can be made to the up man but only after a kickoff has been returned for a touchdown.
- Onside kickoffs are allowed in applicable situations. They are NOT to be abused. NO usage of onside kicks unless you are down with less than 3 minutes to play in the 4th quarter.
- Onside kicks that do not travel the required ten (10) yards and the kicking team receives a penalty, which is automatically declined, cannot attempt another onside kick. You must kick a normal kickoff at this point.
- QB Sneak NOT allowed PERIOD. DO NOT USE THE QB SNEAK
- No quick snaps are permitted unless you are in a hurry up offense toward the end of the game. You must give your opponent the opportunity to change/select the player to control on defense. However, you do not have to wait for the opponent to call a defensive audible i.e. if you audible on offense you can snap when you are ready.
- Hurry up Offense Rule:
Only use Hurry up Offense with 2 min or less at the end of a half or if your down by more than 1 score in the 4th QTR. - No Huddle Rule:
No Huddle can be used as long as you show the time at the line adjusting your play like they do in real life. You must give your opponent the opportunity to change/select the player to control on defense. However, you do not have to wait for the opponent to call a defensive audible i.e. if you audible on offense you can snap when you are ready. (approximately 10-15 seconds) after show time at the line. - Excessive use of trick plays will not be tolerated i.e. flea flickers and halfback passes should not be used more than once a game.
- Going 5 Wide i.e. accepted, BUT you must be selecting an even amount of Run and pass Plays. This is Sim and most teams are close to 50/50 Run/Pass. Keep it that way. Any % over this 50/50 mark will be monitored for misuse/abuse and you will be questioned on it.
- No running up the score. If you feel the need to run up the score you will be removed from the league.
- Fourth down conversions are restricted to realistic situations. An example, fourth (4th) and two (2) from your own 35 is NOT acceptable unless you are trailing mid to late fourth (4th) quarter.
SITUATIONS WHEN YOU CAN GO FOR IT ON 4th DOWN ANY TIME:
· When there's less then 15 seconds in the 2nd Quarter,
· When you’re down by more then 17 in the 3rd or 4th quarter
· When you’re down by at least 3 and there's under 2 minutes in the 4th quarter.
· When you’re inside your opponent's 5, you can go for it.
· If you are fighting for A playoff spot, (last 2 games) you can go for it any where when it's under 4th and 3,
- 2-pt Conversions- Do not attempt unless you are down in the 4th quarter and need to in order to get the lead or it makes it a two score game.
- Scrambling- Only scramble if you are under pressure and your quarterback has to use his feet to avoid a sack/keep the play alive. Designed roll-outs are understandable and tolerable, but are not to be overused. If you have a dual-threat quarterback, such as Vince Young, moving out of the pocket more often is understandable, although only to a certain extent. To sum up this section, your quarterback is expected to be a pocket-passer first and foremost, and a scrambler only if necessary, or if the play calls for it.
- Kickoff or Punt Returners - Very few teams will use a starting player from their offense or defense to return kickoffs. Because of this you need to try your best to use starting players listed on the real NFL team depth chart as a kickoff returner can return Kickoffs and Punts.
We do not want to see guys like T.O., Chad Johnson, Clinton Portis, Marion Barber, Adrian Peterson returning kicks. It doesn't happen on Sunday. And it certainly is not SIM.
There will be a thread posted within the MFPL Forums for all owners to list their teams Kickoff or Punt Returners that they intend to use as well as their back up in case of an injury. We will then review and approve your list. Or Reject it based on the logic of the list.
The wild cat formation is new to madden this year so we want to make sure that people do not abuse this. The formation can be run it just cant be over used like on every play. Use it wisely because people will learn how to shut it down.
BLOW OUT RULE: If you are up by 21 points or more, don’t be trying to score more on your opponent. Sportsmanship in all PGL Leagues is a must. Treat other players with respect.
League and Team Structure
- There will be no created or altered players for any season.
- Games will be played chronologically following the posted schedule. There will be no open schedule for owners to play multiple or differing weeks. This rule is to establish league unity and to allow for comparable team records and statistics.
- We will attempt to have the same amount of AFC and NFC Teams. Our Team Draft and any additional Owner adds will reflect this goal in order to strive for Conference balance.
Scheduling
You are required to use the MFPL Scheduling Thread in the MFPL Forums on the PGL Site. In this scheduling thread the Commissioner will crate a post for all Human vs Human games. All schedule coordinating communications should be done in these Scheduling Threads.
Also, it may be to your interest to send an XBLM or PGL Forum PM (Private Message) to your opponent at least one day after the deadline is announced.
OUT OF THE OFFICE
If you will be unavailable for a period of time you must notify the commissioner(s) and post a message in the MFPL “Out of Office” forum indicating the time you will be unavailable to play. Communication is very important.
GAME DEADLINES
Owners will have a deadline of FOUR (4) days to play each Human Vs Human game and a 3 Day Deadline for a Human VS CPU game. Once a new week is opened on the schedule the deadline will be posted in the appropriate forum as well as sent to each owner via XBLM. Ideally we would prefer games to be played faster (within 3 days) but a maximum and fair time frame must be used.
Each owner that does not play their scheduled game within this FOUR (4) day deadline will have their games Simmed.
LEAGUE INFRACTIONS
League infractions are to help us govern the league from Non Sim Play and or Missing Deadlines. Each infraction is represented by a Yellow Card. Accumulate three (3) yellow cards and you will be given a red card league infraction and removed from the league. If you receive two consecutive yellow cards you will be given a red card league infraction and removed from the league. Yellow cards are cumulative and follow you through your career. I think this rule is understandable and each owner realizes that the league should not be held up for one (1) owner.
Season Schedule
Season schedules will consist of 16 games, 17 weeks and will have a locked portion which is against your conference teams and several open weeks where you will be scheduled against other owners in the league if possible. In some instances, due to schedule restrictions, you will be given a game against the CPU if it is not possible to schedule a game with another league owner.
Disciplinary Actions
Premier Gaming Leagues reserves the right to remove owners immediately if a situation warrants such action. All commissioner(s) decisions are final.
Disconnects
In the event of a disconnect, the two owners will get together and work out the best solution. If your disconnect occurred in the first half of the game you will have to replay from the beginning. If the disconnect occurred at a later time the owners can choose to have the game simmed with the win going to the agreed upon owner or replay from the beginning.
Player and Team Statistics
We will use all stat tracking provided through the game by EA.
Trades:
All trades must be approved by The Trade Committee.
Trades with any CPU teams will be turned off.
Trading with Human teams are allowed, You may do 1 for 1, 2 for 1, 3 for 1, 3 for 2 and 3 for 3 trades. But 3 for 3 Trades is the max for one Trade Transaction. We only ask that the trade is equal for all sides. Trade deadline will be Week 6.
You may trade draft picks. BUT the selection of those Draft Picks during the Rookie Draft is going to be completely manual. This means that you will need to coordinate with the Owner that traded you their draft pick in the first place and let them know who you want to draft. And then after the draft is over, the Commissioner will have to drop and add that player onto your roster.
You may trade draft picks. BUT the selection of those Draft Picks during the Rookie Draft is going to be completely manual. This means that you will need to coordinate with the Owner that traded you their draft pick in the first place and let them know who you want to draft. And then after the draft is over, the Commissioner will have to drop and add that player onto your roster.
You may trade your Current Years Bid Points just like a NFL team would trade Cash considerations. You may not trade any future years bid Points.
No stupid trades. Don't give up your entire draft for 1 player.
Week 6 is the Trade Deadline.
The Trade Committee has the right to stop all trading activity at any given time for whatever reason.
NOTE: NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO ADD OR DROP PLAYERS FROM THEIR ROSTER UNLESS THAT HAVE CLEARED IT WITH LARSCCW AND/OR MACK ATTACK 11 ON THE PGL FORUMS FIRST.
This is very important to remember because we are manually keeping roster data. The Online Franchise does NOT allow the Commissioner to veto moves. Whatever the move, you are REQUIRED to clear the transaction with Larsccw and/or Mack Attack 11 on the PGL Forums first.
If you do not get approval first you will be asked to reverse your move. If you do not reverse your move you will be given a red card and banned from the PGL site.
Contracts:
We are only tracking the top 22 players (based on overall rating) on each team's roster. All contract lengths used for each player will be their current real NFL contract. These contract lengths will apply the moment we start the league. See the details on “Deciding the Contract Length at the time of your Free Agent Bidding” section below on Contract length options.
This is very important to remember because we are manually keeping roster data. The Online Franchise does NOT allow the Commissioner to veto moves. Whatever the move, you are REQUIRED to clear the transaction with Larsccw and/or Mack Attack 11 on the PGL Forums first.
If you do not get approval first you will be asked to reverse your move. If you do not reverse your move you will be given a red card and banned from the PGL site.
Contracts:
We are only tracking the top 22 players (based on overall rating) on each team's roster. All contract lengths used for each player will be their current real NFL contract. These contract lengths will apply the moment we start the league. See the details on “Deciding the Contract Length at the time of your Free Agent Bidding” section below on Contract length options.
Contract Length for Rookies that are Drafted:
1st and 2nd Rounders get a 3 year contract
3rd rounders and beyond get a 2 year contract
3rd rounders and beyond get a 2 year contract
Salary Cap:
The MFPL Salary Cap is 1,900 for each team. Your current salary total can be calculated by taking the total overall rating of your top 22 players. Again, this only covers the top 22 players on each team. We will be supplying this data through Individual Team Tracking threads in a sub forum of the MFPL Forums.
Our reasoning for 1,900 is that most good teams have a total salary of around 1,840-1,900. For example, Giants and Titans are 1,899.
NOTES:
• Remember, we are only tracking the top 22 Players (top 22 overall ratings per team). If you happen to gain a player via free agency, trade, or the draft, you MUST drop a player. The dropped player does not have to be from your top 22. It depends how the player you are adding affects your salary cap charge. If you must drop a player that is in your top 22 then his overall rating reduces your calculated total salaries against the cap.
• There will be yearly progression that will need to be taken into account. After the yearly progression each team's total salary charge will be recalculated and all rosters updated. You may have to make moves to bring your team under the salary cap.
The MFPL Salary Cap is 1,900 for each team. Your current salary total can be calculated by taking the total overall rating of your top 22 players. Again, this only covers the top 22 players on each team. We will be supplying this data through Individual Team Tracking threads in a sub forum of the MFPL Forums.
Our reasoning for 1,900 is that most good teams have a total salary of around 1,840-1,900. For example, Giants and Titans are 1,899.
NOTES:
• Remember, we are only tracking the top 22 Players (top 22 overall ratings per team). If you happen to gain a player via free agency, trade, or the draft, you MUST drop a player. The dropped player does not have to be from your top 22. It depends how the player you are adding affects your salary cap charge. If you must drop a player that is in your top 22 then his overall rating reduces your calculated total salaries against the cap.
• There will be yearly progression that will need to be taken into account. After the yearly progression each team's total salary charge will be recalculated and all rosters updated. You may have to make moves to bring your team under the salary cap.
Free Agents:
Free Agent addition(s) are attached to all salary caps. Signing Free Agents at the end of the season and/or during the season will affect your teams total salary cap charge if they fall within your top 22 overall rated players.
For each player lost due to contract expiration the owner will receive 100 bid points.
Bonus bid points are also awarded as follows:
1. Non Playoff Teams = 100 points
2. Wild Card Losers = 70 points
3. Division Playoff Losers = 50 points
4. Conference Championship Losers = 30
5. Superbowl Loser = 10 points
During the season owners will have to take into account their total salary cap charge before they sign a free agent(s). Also, any free agent bid points used during the season will be deducted from your off season bid points. For example, if I know I will have two (2) players with expiring contracts at end of the season then I will have a maximum of 200 bid points to use during the season and offseason. If I bid 60 points on a player and sign him during the season then I will only have 140 bid points remaining to either use during the season or offseason.
Once we start the season we will award bid points as mentioned above.
Examples:
1. Mack - Four (4) players with expiring contracts at end of Season I. He will receive 400 free agent bid points at the start of our league to use during Season I and the Season I offseason.
2. Lars - Two (2) players with expiring contracts at end of Season I. He will receive 200 free agent bid points at the start of our league to use during Season I and the Season I offseason.
During the season there will be a 48 hour bid window. Once a player opens bid on any free agent the clock will start. If there are no other bids after 48 hours then the player will be awarded to the opening bidder. If there are other bids then the player willl be awarded to the highest bidder at the end of the 48 hour window. You don’t bid within 48 hours you don’t have a chance at that player.
All bids MUST be in increments of 5
((DETAIL THE PROCESS FOR IN SEASON INJURED PLAYER REPLACEMENT HERE))
NOTE: If you release one of your top 22 I proposed a penalty. The release penalty will be detailed below.
((DETAIL THE PROCESS FOR IN SEASON INJURED PLAYER REPLACEMENT HERE))
NOTE: If you release one of your top 22 I proposed a penalty. The release penalty will be detailed below.
During the Offseason there will be a 5 Day bid window for all Free Agent Players that have had their contract expire. Once an Owner opens bid on any free agent the clock will start. If there are no other bids after 5 days hours then the player will be awarded to the opening bidder. If there are other bids then the player will be awarded to the highest bidder at the end of the 5 Day window. You don’t bid within 5 days you don’t have a chance at that player.
All bids MUST be in increments of 5
NOTE: If you release one of your top 22 I proposed a penalty. The release penalty will be detailed below.
Deciding the Contract Length at the time of your Free Agent Bidding:
As detailed in the previously in the section above, regarding free agent signings/bids, the initial bid for a Free Agent player will start out to include a one year contract.
If an owner would like to extend a contract beyond one year they can do this if they relinquish more bid points.
3 years is max contract
For example, an owner won a bid war for Free Agent: Julius Peppers at the end of Season I. The Owner won the bid with 130 points.
You have the option to sign him for 1, 2 or 3 years
Stagger the points by years:
Example:
2 years 50 pts
3 years 75 pts
Example:
2 years 50 pts
3 years 75 pts
If the Owner would like to sign him to a two (2) year deal it would cost The Owner 180 points. The Owner would spend a total of 180 points to sign him for two (2) years.
2 years would be 180 (130 initial bid + 50 for second year)
If the Owner would like to sign him to a three (3) year deal it would cost The Owner 255 points. The Owner would spend a total of 255 points to sign him for three (3) years.
If the Owner would like to sign him to a three (3) year deal it would cost The Owner 255 points. The Owner would spend a total of 255 points to sign him for three (3) years.
3 years would be 255 (130 initial bid + 50 for second year + 75 for third year)
Resigning players with expiring contracts:
All Owners that have players with an expiring contract will have the option to resign those players, but it comes at a hefty flat rate price for any player, no matter what overall rating the player currently has. That rate to resign a player in order to not lose him to free Agency is 150 Bid Points.
The initial 150 points covers a one year extension. You will have to pay more if you wish to sign them to more years:
Stagger the points by years:
Example:
150 (1 year)
150 + 50 = 200 (2 years)
150 + 50 +75 = 275 (3 years)
All Owners that have players with an expiring contract will have the option to resign those players, but it comes at a hefty flat rate price for any player, no matter what overall rating the player currently has. That rate to resign a player in order to not lose him to free Agency is 150 Bid Points.
The initial 150 points covers a one year extension. You will have to pay more if you wish to sign them to more years:
Stagger the points by years:
Example:
150 (1 year)
150 + 50 = 200 (2 years)
150 + 50 +75 = 275 (3 years)
Release Penalty for players under contract:
You will receive a penalty if you release a player(s) prior to the end of their contract(s) (this applies during the season or offseason). The penalty is a loss of free agent bid points. In other words if you release a player that counts toward your salary cap (a top 22 players based on overall rating) prior to their contract expiring you will incur a free agent bid point penalty.
The free agent bid point penalty is the loss of 25 points for each year left on that contract. For example, if Mack Attack 11 released Chad Ochocinco, Mack Attack 11 would lose a total of 75 free agent bid points Calculation: Three (3) years left on his contract at 50 points per year (3 x -25 = -75)
You will receive a penalty if you release a player(s) prior to the end of their contract(s) (this applies during the season or offseason). The penalty is a loss of free agent bid points. In other words if you release a player that counts toward your salary cap (a top 22 players based on overall rating) prior to their contract expiring you will incur a free agent bid point penalty.
The free agent bid point penalty is the loss of 25 points for each year left on that contract. For example, if Mack Attack 11 released Chad Ochocinco, Mack Attack 11 would lose a total of 75 free agent bid points Calculation: Three (3) years left on his contract at 50 points per year (3 x -25 = -75)
Franchise Tag:
Just like the NFL, each owner can franchise one (1) player at the end of each season that has an expiring contract. The franchise tag would allow for the following:
1. Owner placing the franchise tag will sacrifice 100 free agent bid points for that player;
2. “Offseason Steal a Franchise Player Period”: Franchise players can be stolen only if the challenging owner(s) open bid on that player above 100 bid points;
3. The owner with the franchise tag then has the option to outbid the challenging owner(s);
4. If the challenging owner eventually wins the bid off he must relinquish one (1) first round Rookie Draft Pick and one (1) second round Rookie Draft Pick to the owner that placed the franchise tag. Both Draft picks are relinquished in the current off season Rookie Draft.
Just like the NFL, each owner can franchise one (1) player at the end of each season that has an expiring contract. The franchise tag would allow for the following:
1. Owner placing the franchise tag will sacrifice 100 free agent bid points for that player;
2. “Offseason Steal a Franchise Player Period”: Franchise players can be stolen only if the challenging owner(s) open bid on that player above 100 bid points;
3. The owner with the franchise tag then has the option to outbid the challenging owner(s);
4. If the challenging owner eventually wins the bid off he must relinquish one (1) first round Rookie Draft Pick and one (1) second round Rookie Draft Pick to the owner that placed the franchise tag. Both Draft picks are relinquished in the current off season Rookie Draft.