Madden Rules

  1. Settings
    • Advanced after 72-96 hours.Our goal is to complete 2 games per week.Sometimes faster, sometimes slower.
    • Sliders –Default – pending review
    • Game Speed – Normal
    • Level –Pro
    • Quarters - 7 min
  2. General Conduct
    • Each participant is expected to display conduct that of an exemplary standard.
    • Good sportsmanship, honesty, respect and pride is demanded from all participants. The league commissioner reserves the right to ban any participant from play based on any violation of the code of conduct, stated, or unstated.
    • All users must have a smart phone and the free application "groupme" and me active on this application. (Commissioner can waive this for a user if needed.
    • We have NO rules against running up the score vs. the CPU. You run the risk of injuries.
    • Do not run up the score on a "user” opponent if possible.Once you are up by 21 points you may “chew the clock”
    • PAUSING THE GAME – Do not do this excessively.
    • RESTARTS: There will be no restarts vs. CPU. If one is needed confirmation from a member of the rules committee is required first.
    • If I see a restart I will discuss it with you, but most likely any restart equals automatic simulation of your game. The 2nd time equals a simulation loss. (I.e. system froze)
    • Quitting a game will result in being removed from the league.
    • If a user is inactive for 2 weeks without notice, they will be set to auto-pilot and the league will not wait for them if all others are ready to advance.
    • All users inactive for 4 straight weeks or 6 total in a season are subject to removal.
    • Glitch / Rules Violation –If you are found to be exploiting a glitch or breaking a rule, you will be removed.
    • Failure to comply with any rule will result in game results being thrown out and other user may re-play the CPU.All game play rules are viewed as equally important.
  3. User Game Disconnect
    • See NCAA Rules for this on www.afl-league.com
  4. Game Play Rules – Offense
    • Repeated Deviations of the same plays with HOT ROUTES will be frowned upon.
      • One route adjustment is FINE. (1 Hot Route Per Play)
      • If your changing multiple players routes EVERY PLAY then you need to take that type of offense ELSEWHERE.
    • One audible per play.
    • Quads Formations are not allowed. (Or motioning to a Quads Set)
    • No Switching on offense to make a USER catch. All offensive catches are CPU based.
    • You must punt on 4th down outside of your opponents 40 Yard Line.Only Exception- if losing in the in the 4th Quarter.
    • Goal Line Offense and Defense are not base formations. They should be used in short yardage.
    • No changing the formation or play right as you break the huddle. Show what you called.
    • If you audible and change formation, you must allow the defense time to do the same. (3-5 Seconds to view formation and audible, then allow their defense to set.)
    • If the defense calls an audible, but the offense did not change formation, they are not required to wait.
    • No-huddle offense is allowed, but you must allow the defense time to line up properly. (Offense is required to wait roughly 3-5 seconds at the LOS before the snap.)
      • No-huddle is NOT Allowed after an incomplete pass.
    • No-Huddle Formation Changes are allowed with limitations.
      • If you change formation, you are not allowed to have a player move into an "ineligible” position according to your substitution rules. Meaning a WR moving to a TE position in an audible or moving to a RB position is not allowed.
      • Also you may not call a goal line offense then purposely switch to a new formation such as 3-5 wide sets. Or go 3 RB's then switch to 4 WR set to exploit the AI)
    • Do not run the clock out on every play until in the 4th quarter. We limit this since we cut down game time. Snaps should occur before 10-15 seconds on the play clock.
    • Scramble - If the play is not a designed roll-out the QB should not roll out right away, unless pressured. They should complete their drop of 3-5-7 first.
    • If you leave the pocket before the completion of your designed drop, you are not allowed to throw a pass. (If a ball is completed, the player must attempt a FG on their next play and MISS IT.)
    • If the QB leaves the pocket (defined by an area of up to 12 yards deep from LT to RT), after the completion of their designed drop (must come to a stop then move), the QB can then only throw a pass to an eligible player that is of equal width to the same sideline or wider. No throws can be back to the middle of the field, or inside the QB's passing location. (Designed Roll out plays have a sprint out design, sliding line protection is not a designed roll out play.) [SEE EXAMPLE 1. Below]
    • If the Offense commits one of the above violations and it does not have a listed punishment, the punishment is the Offense must attempt a FG on their next play and miss it, resulting in a loss of possession.If the violation results in a TD, the user must allowed the other team to score a TD then kick a FG and miss on their next possession at the location they start their next drive.
  5. Game Play Rules – Defense
    • Defense may not switch and make a play on a pass in the air.If a player switches while the ball is in the air, the defense must make NO attempt to tip, knock down, or intercept the pass.Even if the CPU overrides the movement and does makes a play on the ball, the result is a violation.You may switch in an attempt to tackle or hit the WR while the pass in the air, but the WR must make first contact with the ball. (If you violate this rule regardless on the outcome, on your next offensive possession you MUST take a safety and punt the ball.
    • You can only manually align one defensive player per play.And you must remain as that player for roughly 1 second after the snap.
    • D-lineman: D-lineman can be moved by the in game shifts.If a user is controlling a D-lineman, he can adjust the player, but must remain as that player.They cannot be backed off the LOS, or moved between or around other D-Linemen.DE's can only be moved up to 2 shades wider than any in game shifts, or the last offensive player on the line of scrimmage.
    • Line Backers: LB's may be moved tighter or wider, but cannot swap or stack a position with another LB. (Meaning: Shift LB's right and then moves ROLB inside the MLB. This also includes moving in front of another LB.) [SEE EXAMPLE 3. Below]
    • NO player can be moved by a user toward the LOS beyond what is a natural shift by showing blitz. [SEE EXAMPLE 2. Below]
    • LBs must be at a depth of 3.5 yards of the LOS at the snap, UNLESS in a short yardage situation (2 yards or less), then they can be moved up to the 1.5 yards off the LOS, but not in between the DL players.
    • FS and SS can get NO CLOSER than 5 yards from the LOS unless in short yardage, when they can move up to 3.5 yards from the LOS, unless playing bump and run on a WR or TE.
    • CB’s and DB's can move no closer than 1.5 yards from the LOS (in bump and run they move up to 1.5, so that's where we'll leave it).
    • No "Nano” Blitzing – (Not the same as an overload block)
    • Example of overload, defense blitzes 6, offense only blocks with 5.This is allowed.
    • Do not continuously shift players.You should not be shifting with the intent of having the players in movement when the ball is snapped.
    • Run commit may be used.
    • If the defense violates an above rule and the punishment is not called out, the team must take a safety (2 points) on their next possession and the punt the ball away.
  6. Roster Management
    • ALLOWABLE SUBSTITUTIONS – Or In game Formation Subs ONLY! (Player Position = Positions he can play, not the other way around)
    • QB=QB, WR, RB
    • FB=FB, RB, TE
    • RB=RB, FB
    • TE=TE, FB, WR (But not WR @ TE via Audible, only via formation Subs.)
    • WR=WR
    • O-line=O-line
    • D-line=D-line
    • ROLB=MLB=LOLB
    • CB=CB, FS, SS, WR (but not WR @ CB)
    • FS=FS, SS, CB
    • SS=SS, FS, CB
    • K=P
    • DO NOT make any depth chart or player changes the week of a user game. If you need to adjust your depth chart, inform your opponent you need to do so at the start of your game.
    • Player names, numbers, and uniforms may be changed, but not height and weight. This will result in removal from the league.
  7. Trades:
    • All trades to be reviewed by the Commissioner.
    • CPU Trades are allowed.
    • You may not trade a player acquired via free agency for 3 weeks.
      • You must notify the commissioner if you are trading this player after 3 weeks for approval.
    • User / User trades are allowed and will not be questioned unless a protest is made.
    • Violation of rules may result in loss of highest rated player and draft picks.
  8. Free Agents
    • To open the season, Free Agents will be signed in a round Robin Fashion to be set on 12/2.
    • Once we start week 1 – Free agents are first come / first serve.
      • Reminder – they cannot be traded for 3 weeks once signed.
    • Violation of rules may result in loss of highest rated player and draft picks.
  9. Scheduling Games:
    • Home team should make contact.
    • If a time cannot be arranged, the following will decide who gets priority.
    • Most active user
      • Years in the league
      • Life time wins
      • Commissioner coin flips
    • Each team can request 1 extension per season for more time to complete a game.
    • Group me on a Cell phone can be used, but only the message board will be used by the commissioner to determine who scheduled a game and who did not.
    • All Playoff Games MUST BE STREAMED and Marquee matchups will be encouraged to be streamed.
    • Please post videos within the game. It will add value and will add in "scouting” your opponents. A min of one video per week needed, of a "big play”.
  10. RELOCATION/STADIUM RENEWALS:
    • RELOCATION; will be allowed after notification of the desire to move. The move must then be approved by at least 2/3rds league vote. Every owner will have a say before you can proceed. Failure to do so will result in a blacklist of the league.
    • STADIUM REBUILDINGS; Madden gives you the option to rebuild. It may not necessarily be in the best interest of the league to rid the league of sites such as Lambeau field and the monstrosity in Dallas. ALL OWNERS must post why they are requesting a stadium rebuild. Stadium rating and a trend of negative bottom lines during home games must be included in the proposal.
  11. Complaint or Rules Request / Change
    • All complaints get filed to Brad Keysor
    • Requests to change rules are voted on by all "active” coaches. A vote will take place on the home page of our web-site.
    • The rules committee will be made of 3 users. The commissioner and two others.
    • WHAT TO DO: IN CASE OF A RULE VIOLATION
    • It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to report a rule violation WHEN it happens. Reporting a violation after the game will not help your case. Games will not be replayed because of an unreported violation. When you see a rule violation, you must PAUSE the game and inform your opponent that you think they have violated a rule (no matter how serious). Both parties consult the rules and correct the infraction in a sportsmanlike manner.
    • PLEASE notify the Commissioner (bkeysor) of any rule violation, even if you think it's not a big deal.
    • It is recommended that you PRINT out a copy of the rules to keep at hand during games.
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    EXAMPLE 1. LEGAL PASSING ZONES
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    EXAMPLE 3. LEGAL MOVEMENTS OF DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
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    EXAMPLE 2. LEGAL DEPTHS TO MOVE UP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

SLIDER SETTINGS

EXAMPLES

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EXAMPLE 1. LEGAL PASSING ZONES
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EXAMPLE 3. LEGAL MOVEMENTS OF DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
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EXAMPLE 2. LEGAL DEPTHS TO MOVE UP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS