The Rising Stars

League Difficulty: All-American (most likely will stay the same for '11 but we'll see)

Teams available/custom conference layout: All teams available in this list



The setup will be playing in whatever league you are in with at least two user vs user games (more if we all choose teams in the same conferences obviously).

Schedule (How quickly will weeks be advanced): Hopefully 72 hours for '11, but if we start doing something with this for '10, then the faster the better.

Scheduling: Everything will be in this thread. Might make another one specifically for posting game results for each season.




Rules
General
Pre Game Adjustments: Depth chart changes are not permitted before the opening kickoff. Each owner is responsible for setting their depth charts at some point during the week. You are allowed to make a depth move during the game if:

  1. A player is struggling
  2. If you are trying to prevent an injury
  3. The game is a blowout
Audibles:

  1. When calling an audible, you must allow the defense to adjust and be set for at least one second before snapping the ball.
  2. Players are prohibited from audibling into formations that give them advantages. For example, coming out in a 4 WR set and audibling into a 2 TE set.
Sportsmanship: Please do not taunt or act like an idiot in a user vs user game. In general, just respect each other.
Run/Pass Commit/User Issues/Gameplan Feature:

  1. You are not allowed to use the run/pass commit.
  2. Aggressive Jump The Snap, Big Hit, and Strip Ball settings are banned
Offense

Going For it on 4th Down:

  1. Whenever you are past the 50 yard line with 3 yards or less to go, you are permitted to for it on 4th down.
  2. If you are behind by two touchdowns or more in the second half, you can go for it whenever you like.
  3. If you are the losing team in the 4th quarter, you can go for it whenever you like.


Hurry Up/No Huddle: It is not allowed after an incompletion or any other stoppage of play.

Play Calling: Owners are expected to mix up plays on both offense AND defense. If your team falls behind early in the game, it's understandable if you become a one-dimensional offense with your passing game. As long as the game is close, we expect all box scores to reflect a concerted effort at reasonable play calling.

Play Action: It is unrealistic to call a PA Pass when it is 3rd down and more than 7. You may call a designed PA play and audible your RB to block or go into a pattern to stop the Playaction. Overuse of this will be frowned upon.

Unrealistic QB Scrambling: Nothing is worse than someone who uses their scrambling quarterback to exploit the game.


  1. There will be no sprinting straight back, stopping, then finding a target. You must sit in the pocket if that is how that play is designed to be. If they are bringing so much pressure that you feel you have to run, I bet someone is open.
  2. No sprinting out immediately after the snap, or when there is no pressure. If you do this, you must run the ball. It will not be tolerated if you are doing this in an effort to find a flaw in the AI.
  3. No calling a pass play and using it as a designed QB run. For instance, on 3rd and 1, do not call a pass play and try to run straight through the LOS to pick up the first.
  4. If a play breaks down, and the pocket collapses then you are free to try and make things happen with your feet by escaping the pressure.


Running Up The Score: Keep the scores realistic. I will not put up with multiple 60+ scores, no matter the opponent. If this happens too often, I will throw out the results and ask you to play it again OR just sim the game myself.
Defense
Moving Players Pre-Snap: On defense, shifting linebackers and the defensive line is permitted. However, if you move a individual defensive player before the snap you must control that player at the snap of the ball. This includes moving a player to cover an assignment.

Dropping Everyone Into Coverage: Please do not overuse this tactic. It is understandable to drop guys back when it's 3rd and long and you know they're passing the ball, but to constantly do it is definitely frowned upon.

Unrealistic Defensive Tactics: Anything along the lines of using Quarters as your primary defense, or trying to stop the run with Nickel and Dime is NOT allowed.

1-5-5 Defense & 4-2-5 Defensive playbook: Banned. Plain and simple
Special Teams
Fake Punts: Must follow same rules as going for it on 4th down.

Fake Field Goals: May be used at any point in the game. This should be used as a trick play, not a cheap way to go for two or score a TD. If there is a situation where you think your opponent is going to sell out on the kick and this may work go for it. Don't use this to pick up a first down, if you are that close to the first down bring your offense on the field. If there are issues it will be banned.

Onside Kicks: Onside kicks are permitted at any time by the losing team in the 4th quarter only.

Squib or Short Kicks: These are allowed, but please do not use this style for every single kick off.