League Rules and Guidelines (M16)

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majesty95

majesty95

Admin
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V.I.P MADDEN LEAGUE RULES AND GUIDELINES

All members of the V.I.P. Madden League are required to read and know these rules. A PDF copy of the rules and guidelines is attached for easy offline review. If you choose to print a copy of the rules, it is your responsibility to add or amend your printed copy with any changes made by league management.

Once you have read over the rules and guidelines, please reply to this thread with some version of "Read and Agree" acknowledging you have read, understand and agree to abide by the rules laid out in this thread. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the league rules and guidelines, please contact the league commissioner. To keep the thread clean and easy to navigate, any comments other than an acknowledgement and agreement to the terms will be deleted.

LEAGUE LEADRSHIP

League President/ Commissioner: majesty95

All issues or questions related to the league, its rules and its processes should be directed to the league commissioner. If a resolution cannot be found with the league commissioner, then please escalate it to the League President. Everyone should attempt, however, to resolve any issues or questions first with the league commissioner. You can reach them by clicking their name and selecting "Start A Conversation".

Trade Committee: majesty95, pack1797, BigTexas18, georgiafan, Gubber227

Trades within the league must be approved by the trade committee. Four (4) approvals are needed to process a trade. If one trade committee member is involved in a trade, three (3) votes are needed. If two trade committee members are involved, two (2) votes are needed. Once approved by the committee, trades may be processed in the game.

CODE OF CONDUCT

All members of PX1 Sports leagues are expected to conduct themselves as mature adults. PX1 should be a place to meet new friends and have fun. Users are expected to play realistic simulation football and treat other members with integrity and respect. We expect all members to be open to feedback and improving their sim game.

Members who are caught cheating, team killing, who display a win at all costs attitude, use excessive profanity, use racial slurs or remarks, berate or verbally abuse other members or otherwise display a negative or aggressive attitude towards members or site staff will be removed from the league and face a permanent ban from the site.

All members should keep in mind that being competitive and having fun can go hand-in-hand. We don’t want to be babysitters but we also do not want to create a negative environment for our members. Treat others as you would hope they would treat you and everyone’s experience will benefit because of it.

LEAGUE SETTINGS

All-Pro
10 minute quarters
15 second run off
Injuries: ON
Fatigue: ON
Game Speed: Normal
Sliders: Custom

USER TEAMS

All Madden leagues will be capped at 24 human owners (3 users in each division). This allows users to get a break from having to schedule with a human opponent every week. We’ve also found that tensions run a little lower without a user game every week and 32 different personalities trying to interact on the forum, in group chats, etc.

TWITCH

Each member needs to have a Twitch account to be able to stream games and chat with league members during games (you do not need to chat when you are playing however.) If you do not have a Twitch account, you can sign up for a free account here.

Once you have signed up, make sure to go into your settings (wrench icon), go to "Channel & Videos" and click the box next to "automatically archive my broadcasts" and then save your changes. This is required and allows us to go back and watch games and pull the video for league related shows if need be.

TEAM SELECTION

A team selection thread will be posted once the roster of league owners is finalized. Returning members to PX1 Sports leagues have first dibs on teams and new owners will fill in as needed.

CREATING AN OWNER

Each user should create a new owner when joining the league. Please use your forum username in your owner’s last name to easily identify them. Ex. Caesar Pack

PLAYBOOKS/SCHEMES

Only actual team playbooks are allowed. No custom playbooks or generic playbooks. Each owner will be required to post their scheme and playbook prior to each season and will have to stick to that scheme and playbook for the entire season. This is to simulate having to hire coordinators and living with that decision for at least one season as a real life head coach would.

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Here is a printable PDF file of the entire Madden rule book. Amendments or changes to the league rules and guidelines are the responsibility of the user to add or change on their copy.
 

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majesty95

majesty95

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Staff member
ADVANCE SCHEDULE

All Madden leagues on PX1 will have a hard advance of every 48 hours. Early advances may occur after 24 hours have passed since the last advance if all user vs user games have been played and there is not a USER vs CPU game scheduled in the scheduling thread.

SCHEDULING

Each week, we will post a scheduling thread for that week's games in the league's Scheduling sub-forum. We will tag each member so that it will alert you to the scheduling thread being posted. We will also assign a user from each game who will be responsible for streaming the game and sending the game invite. (NOTE: Each member must post in the scheduling thread within the first 12 hours after advance or be subject to being put on auto and having your opponent play the CPU.)

While we prefer that you use the scheduling thread to schedule your games, you may also use text (if your opponent requests), PM, PSN and Group Me to schedule your games as well. Keep in mind, however, that proof will need to be provided if a scheduling dispute arises. Posting in the scheduling thread is the easiest way to avoid those disputes.

How to Schedule

Please give as much information as possible about your availability when posting in the scheduling thread. Simply posting "when can you play?" does not help your opponent nor does it help get the game scheduled quickly.

Example:

Hey woodsmall12 I can play FRI after 7 PM CST, SAT and SUN any time after 3 PM CST.
Click to expand...

If your opponent has already posted this info for you when you sign on, select a time from their availability and schedule the game. For example, using the availability above, you may be able to play FRI night at 10 PM CST.

Reply to your opponents post and say something like
"hey, I can play FRI at 10 PM CST. Does that still work for you? If not, I am also available from 10 AM to 2 PM CST on SAT and all day SUN. Let me know what works best."
Click to expand...

Your opponent should then confirm the time you proposed or pick a new time from your listed availability. Follow this process until you can agree on a time to play.

Scheduling Disputes

Each member should check the forum regularly and be diligent in trying to schedule their games. If both members have been trying to schedule their game but have not been able to agree on a time, the game will simply be simmed. This happens from time to time and users should be accommodating to the league when this happens. In the event that one user has been making an effort to schedule and their opponent has not been, the opponent may be put on auto so that the active user can play the CPU. League leadership will use their discretion in putting players on auto and do what they feel is most fair. To prevent potentially being placed on auto, make sure you are making every attempt to schedule your games.

Confirming Games

Once you and your opponent have agreed on a time to play your game, one person must post the teams involved, the time and date of the game being played and the Twitch channel that it will be broadcast on in the weekly scheduling thread. This is so that we know the game has been scheduled and so that other league members know when it is being played in case they would like to watch the game.

Here is an example of how to post your game when it has been scheduled:

Minnesota Vikings - majesty95 vs Denver Broncos - woodsmall12
Saturday, Sep. 6 at 9 PM CST
twitch.tv/majesty95
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PLAYER RANKINGS

All Madden league game results on PX1 Sports will be entered on the PX1 Player Rankings. When the game is complete, the winning team should go to the Rankings page on the forum and click “Submit Game Result”. Then enter the system the game was played on, your opponent’s forum username, the game played (Madden NFL 16), game result (you won, lost or the game disconnected), your score, your opponent’s score and your rating of your opponent’s gameplay.

Rating Guidelines

Game exploits are defined as any play, movement or tactic used to exploit the game’s programming or AI, whether intentional or unintentional. This includes but is not limited to money plays, abuse of certain pass routes, manually moving player’s to create blocking glitches, abusing penalty logic, making unnatural movements with your players, excessive scrambling, etc.

Here are the guidelines members should use when rating their opponent’s gameplay:
  • 5 stars – Opponent played great sim football and adhered to all rules and guidelines. One or two minor infractions could be allowed.
  • 4 stars – Opponent played mostly a sim football game. Minor infractions may have been made. Possibly one known cheat or exploit used, most likely unintentionally.
  • 3 stars – Opponent played sim football principles but made minor infractions and used a few game exploits. A three-star rating generally indicates a player who wants to play sim but may have some bad habits or may be unknowingly using game exploits.
  • 2 stars – Opponent made some attempt to play sim football but was heavily reliant on game exploits and broke several rules or guidelines.
  • 1 star – Opponent does not have an understanding of sim principles. Mostly game exploits were used and many rules or guidelines were broken.
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Suspension/Probation

Any member who receives two (2) ratings of 3-stars or less from two different opponents will be placed on probation. Any further ratings of 3-stars or less (from new or repeat opponents) will be subject to league review. If a player who is on suspension receives a rating of 3-stars or less, league leadership will review the game and make a determination as to whether they feel the 3-star rating was justified. If league leadership determines that the rating was unjust (meaning they feel the member’s play was a 4-star level or better) that user will stay on probation. If league leadership determines that the 3-star or less rating was justified then the offending player is subject to one of the following actions:
  • User is removed from the league but allowed to play in other non-premium leagues (including Madden).
  • User is removed from the league and prohibited from playing in any other Madden leagues or premium tier leagues.
  • User is removed from the league and banned from all PX1 Sports leagues.
Click to expand...

League leadership will take into account an owner’s history, willingness to learn and adapt to sim principles and contribution to the PX1 Sports community when deciding which sanctions to impose. However, three verified ratings of 3-stars or less is automatic removal from the league, regardless of stature within the community.
 
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majesty95

majesty95

Admin
Staff member
SIM PLAY GUIDELINES

The sim play guidelines lay out the basic rules for simulation football gameplay. While it is not an all-encompassing list, members should use it to guide their gameplay and in rating the gameplay of their opponents.

OFFENSE

Playbooks

The Philadelphia, Miami and Oakland offensive playbooks are banned and not allowed for use in league play.

Your playbook dictates your formations. If you choose a playbook that has 70% of its formations under center, roughly 75% of your plays should be from under center. Conversely, if you choose a playbook with 60% shotgun, we expect you to be in shotgun about half of the time. However, you should not just run out of shotgun because it is easier. Under center runs and formations should be mixed in realistically.

Run Plays

Calling run plays designed to go through the A gap (between G and C) and shooting straight toward the sideline is not allowed. Occasionally you will bounce a run play a gap over but typically all runs should go through their designated gaps.

Running Back Usage

You should involve your backup running back(s) in the game. Even the most durable backs do not get more than 80% of their teams rushes or rushing touchdowns. The vast majority of running backs get less than 70% of the rushing touches. Our games should simulate this as well. You may have a game where you only run 9-10 times if you are behind but the vast majority of your games and your season totals should reflect the percentages above.

No Huddle
  • Allowed in final two minutes of 1st half
  • Allowed in final two minutes of 4th quarter when tied or trailing
  • Allowed any time in 4th quarter when trailing
  • Allowed in 3rd quarter if trailing by 18 or more

Chew Clock

You can use the "chew clock" feature when leading in the last three (3) minutes of the 4th quarter or the final minute of the first half. We only play 10 minute quarters so we should be trying to pick plays in a timely manner otherwise.

Play-Action

On 3rd and 4th down, play-action is only allowed when facing five (5) yards or less for a 1st down.

FB Dive

FB Dive may only be used one (1) time per game.

Goal Line Offense

The goal line formation is only allowed inside your opponent's two yard line.

QB Sneaks

QB sneaks are limited to one (1) time per game and cannot be used on 3rd or 4th down.

4th Down

Going for it on 4th down is allowed under the following scenarios:
  • 4th and 2 or less once you cross your own 40 yard line or
  • 4th and 10 or less from between your opponent’s 30-45 yard lines.
4th down rules do not apply if it is the last play of the first half, when trailing by 17 or more in the 3rd quarter or when losing in the 4th quarter.

Mix It Up

You should attempt to mix up your play as much as possible. You should not rely on specific plays or formations over and over. A real life coach has to mix up his offensive sets and play calls and you should too. Relying on a go to play every third down or using the same routes or plays repeatedly is not considered "sim" and should be avoided. Mix up your plays and try to be as diverse as possible.

Typical Pass Route Distribution

These are real life NFL averages based on completed passes. Individual games may fluctuate slightly. However, most game should fall within these basic guidelines. Users who fluctuate significantly from these averages risk receiving a low gameplay rating from your opponent. Multiple low scores will result in sanctions up to and including removal from the league.
  • Quick Outs/Flats: 2-3 per game
  • Deep Outs: 2-4 per game
  • Ins: 2-3 per game
  • Slants/Drags/Crossers: 3-5 per game
  • Curls/Hitches: 2-4 per game
  • Comebacks: 0-2 per game
  • Corner Routes: 0-2 per game
  • Post Routes: 1-2 per game
  • Go/Fly/Streaks: 1-2 per game
  • WR Screens: 1-3 per game
  • HB Screens: 1-2 per game
These numbers are based on an average of up to 25 completions per game. Most Madden games should fall below that range. Again, this is not a hard and fast rule but a general guideline users should try to stay within.

Distribution

While exploiting bad matchups is part of the game and allowed, it should not be abused in game. Madden does not allow users to set which cornerback is covering which receiver like a real life coach could. So users should not look to exploit that AI deficiency over and over. A good sim user can and should spread the ball around and attack numerous parts of a defense. Likewise, users should not be using a #1 wide receiver in the slot over and over. The goal of sim is to exploit realistic mismatches and your opponent’s weakness, not abuse flaws in the game’s programming.

While we do not have set rules on throwing to the tight end and running back, if there turns out to be an issues where this is exploitable, we reserve the right to amend that and set limitations. The goal is to simulate real life. If you can justify it with a real world example and prove it is not exploiting the AI, then you are fine. If not, you may just be good at attacking holes in the game’s programming and not your opponent’s defensive scheme.

Defensive Movement

If the defense flips their play or otherwise is in motion prior to the snap, you must let them set before snapping the ball. An exception would be when the play clock is within 2-3 seconds and you need to avoid a delay of game. If the defense is constantly flipping plays and moving players around pre-snap, you could possible quick snap on them to get them to stop. The majority of the time though, the defense should be allowed to get set. There are just flaws in base alignments and the defense needs to be able to cover those.

DEFENSE

Alignment

You are only allowed to move one (1) player prior to the snap. You must then control that player through the snap. You may change off of that player once the ball is in play.

You are not allowed to manually move a safety of cornerback inside of the deepest or furthest outside linebacker. You are also not allowed to manually line a LB up on the line of scrimmage to prevent blocking glitches. Any designed movements made by the game because of the play call or “show blitz” are allowed.

Defensive Line Play

You should not use a defensive lineman more than half of your snaps. You also should not play as the same defensive lineman on consecutive snaps or a majority of your plays. You may play exclusively as a middle linebacker or some other no rushing player the entire game if you choose. However, you should mix up the defensive lineman you use as to not exploit gameplay mechanics and not rely on usering them more than half of the game.

Run Commit

Run commit should only be used in extreme short yardage situations (3rd or 4th and 1 or on the goal line). Run commit is also exactly what it says it is. You are committing to the run. Run commit should be used with a man blitz defense. Calling run commit with any type of zone defense is not realistic and is not allowed.

Mix It Up

Much like on offense, you are expected to mix up your defensive play calls. In real life, a coach has to mix up his defensive sets and play calls to confuse the offense. You should try to do the same. You can be a base Cover 2 or Cover 3 defense, but you should mix in man-to-man, zone coverages and blitzes to keep the offense guessing. Relying on the same play on every third down or using the same formation over and over is not considered "sim" and should be avoided. Mix up your plays and try to be as diverse as possible in your play calling.

Matching Personnel

While there are occasional exceptions, you should try to match the personnel of your opponent on the vast majority of plays. That means if your opponent comes out with 3 WR, you should usually be in some type of Nickel (although playing a base 4-3 or 3-4 can be realistic sometimes as well). 4 WR should generally be some type of Nickel or Dime or occasionally Quarter. However, regularly coming out in Dime or Nickel (or Big Dime or Big Nickel) vs 1-2 WR sets or using Quarters for anything more than 4 WR sets and long 3rd downs/hail marys should be avoided. Those are not realistic defensive sets to stop the run and should not be used in such a way.

SPECIAL TEAMS

You are not allowed to move any player at any time prior to the snap. You are also not allowed to move any player other than your kick/punt returner on returns.
  • You are allowed to attempt one (1) fake punt or fake field goal per game.
  • Onside kicks are only allowed in the 4th quarter when trailing.
  • Squib kicks are only allowed in the final minute of each half.
Kick Aiming Arc

The kick aiming arc must be turned OFF in the settings.

Punting

Unless you can pin your opponent inside the 20 yard line the ball should be punted in bounds, generally down the middle of the field. This simulates real life. If your opponent has an exceptional kick returner (pretty rare) it may be reasonable to stay away from them. However, always punting the ball out of bounds to avoid a return is not realistic and should not be done.
 
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majesty95

majesty95

Admin
Staff member
ROSTER

Depth Chart

Each owner is responsible for setting their team's depth chart before each game. Pausing the game to set your depth chart in the first half will not be allowed except in the event of an injury.

Owners must adhere to the following guidelines for setting their depth chart:
  • FB > HB = A fullback may be inserted as a halfback at any time.
  • FB > TE = A fullback may be inserted as a tight end at any time.
  • TE > FB = A tight end may be inserted as a fullback at any time.
  • OL > OL = All offensive line positions are considered interchangeable.
  • DL > DL = All defensive line positions are considered interchangeable.
  • LB > LB = All linebacker positions are considered interchangeable.
  • OLB > DE = Allowed at any time.
  • DE > OLB = Allowed at any time.
  • LB > S = A linebacker may be moved to safety if he has at least 82 SPD and 75 ZCV.
  • DB > DB = All defensive back positions are considered interchangeable.

Depth chart changes outside of what is listed above will not be permitted.

Formation subs outside of what is listed above are only allowed if utilizing the pre-packaged formation subs in the play call screen.

Sanctions

Owners who violate the depth chart rules are subject to the following sanctions:
  • 1st Offense: Warning
  • 2nd Offense: 2-game suspension
  • 3rd Offense: Removal from the league.
TRADES

Trade Submission

Trade rules have been established to ensure a competitive, yet realistic environment. Each trade must be approved by the league’s Trade Committee. To submit a trade, create a thread in your league’s Transactions sub-forum. Tag each member of the trade committee (put an @ before their username) and include the following info:

Team A - @username ($-- cap space, $-- cap penalty)
Player A, POS Age, OVR, Remaining years on contract, remaining salary, cap penalty
(Attach a cropped photo of the player's attributes page from Daddy Leagues)

Team B - @username ($-- cap space, $-- cap penalty)
Player B, POS Age, OVR, Remaining years on contract, remaining salary, cap penalty
(Attach a cropped photo of the player's attributes page from Daddy Leagues)
Draft Pick (Year, Round, Overall)
Click to expand...

Trade Rules
  • Each team is allowed to make up to three (2) trades per season (not including draft pick for draft pick trades).
  • Teams may only trade one (1) player with an overall of 90 or more per season.
  • Teams may only acquire one (1) player rated 90 overall or better each season.
  • Teams may only trade up to three (3) players rated 70 overall or better (trading a player 90 overall or better is included in the three player limit) per season.
  • Teams may only acquire three (3) players with a rating of 70 overall or better per season.
  • Teams may only trade a maximum of five (5) players per season.
  • Teams may only acquire a maximum of five (5) players per season.
***New owners are only allowed a maximum of two (2) trades in their first season (minimum 10 games played) and a maximum of three (3) players traded and/or acquired. No player over 89 Overall may be traded in an owner’s first season.

CPU Trading

Trading with the CPU is NOT allowed.

Draft Pick Trading

Trades of draft picks are unlimited. All trades of draft picks must adhere to the Draft Value Chart and be posted in the Trades thread.

Cap Penalties

New owners are allowed a maximum of $7M in cap penalties for their first season. Returning owners (owner who have completed at least one full season) are allowed a maximum of $10M in cap penalties per season.

Violating the max cap penalty will carry the following sanctions:

· 1st Offense: 1-game suspension
· 2nd Offense: 2-game suspension
· 3rd Offense: Removal from league

ROSTER REQUIREMENTS

Each owner will be responsible for meeting team minimum roster requirements and maintaining a balanced roster by position. The roster requirements are as follows:

POS Min/Max

QB 2/3
HB 3/4
FB 0/2
WR 4/7
TE 2/4
OL 8/11
DL 6/9
LB 5/8
CB 4/7
S 3/5

All teams must carry a minimum of 53 players at all times during the preseason, regular season and post season.

If league leadership needs to help an owner satisfy roster requirements (or remind them that they are over) then the user will forfeit draft picks for us doing so. Here will be the draft pick penalties:
  • One player = 7th round draft pick
  • Two players = 6th round draft pick
  • Three players = 5th round draft pick
  • Four players = 5th, 6th and 7th round draft picks
  • Five or more players = 5th, 6th and 7th round picks and being set to auto pilot for next four regular season games.
The way this is handled is, if an owner cannot meet the minimum roster requirements during any week of the season, league leadership will trade them a lowly rated (under 65 OVR if possible) player(s) at the position(s) they need in exchange for the draft compensation listed above. Prior to the draft (or earlier if they have an excess of picks) league leadership will trade those picks that they acquired in these deals (for a scrub player) to one or more losing CPU teams to help them fill out their rosters and remain competitive.

In the event that an owner goes over the maximum number of players and it is pointed out by league leadership or prevents a game from being played, the offending user will trade their pick along with one of the players they want to cut at the position that is over for a scrub (65 OVR or lower if possible) player at another position. They will then release that player (causing a draft pick sanction and cutting of a player to satisfy roster requirements).

These requirements should help teams remain balanced and realistic in the way that they manage their rosters. It will be the responsibility of each owner to make sure that you meet and do not exceed these requirements. If you are having trouble with available funds, please see our video on How to Make Money in Madden. Also, feel free to PM one of your league leaders and they will be happy to provide any guidance that they can.

FREE AGENTS

Preseason free agents are either awarded via a waiver system or limited to one or two players per week. League admin will make a post after the draft specifying the rules for the upcoming preseason.

Regular season free agents are limited to one (1) per week.

Offseason free agents are signed using the in-game system. However, restrictions may be made by league admin to create a realistic free agent environment and prevent teams from unintentionally putting themselves in extremely difficult cap situations.
 
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majesty95

majesty95

Admin
Staff member
TEAM MANAGEMENT

We want users to have fun even with less than stellar teams. Because of that, you are encouraged to upgrade your stadium or look into building a new stadium. We will also allow users (potentially) to relocate. However, there will be some guidelines. Below are the processes for upgrading, building and relocating:

Stadium Upgrades

Owners may apply upgrades to their stadium at any time.

Building a new stadium

Building a new stadium will require the approval of the league's leadership and trade committee. Generally, we will want to see a realistic reason for needing a new stadium and proof that the new stadium is financially feasible (you are responsible for your team's finances. No bailouts here). To request approval for a new stadium, post a thread and tag each of the members of the league's leadership and trade committee. Include the following:

Available Funds:
Age of current stadium:
Rating:
Happiness:
Click to expand...

You will also need to make your case for why this is a feasible option for your team. The restrictions will not be as tight as for those wanting to relocate, but we also want to make sure you are preparing your team for long-term success. Make your case as clearly and as concisely as possible.

NOTE: First-year owners will not be able to build a stadium during season one.

Team relocation

Relocation of a team requires approval by ¾ of the league owners. Owners interested in relocating their team must create a thread (with a poll) and include the following:

Current Team:
Fan Happiness:
Team Success Rank:
Team Popularity:
Market Size:
Available Funds:
Age of current stadium:
Rating:
Happiness:
Relocation market size:
Relocation personality:
Relocation fan interest:
Click to expand...

You must also plead your case as to why your team should be allowed to move. Remember, you are selling this to the other owners. Most owners are going to be traditionalists and not want to see a team relocate. You will need to present a compelling argument for your case if you expect to receive approval.

**Owners must be approved to build a new stadium or relocate before initiating the process in game. Failure to do so will result in a penalty up to and including termination from the league.**

NOTE: First-year owners are not allowed to relocate your team. Relocation may only be done by established league veterans. This protects a franchise from being moved and abandoned.
 
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