Rules

1. LEAGUE IDENTITY
The league will be known as the German Fantasy Football League (GFFL). It will consist of 32 teams representing 32 of the current NFL franchises.The league will feature a 16 game season and NO salary cap system. The league is a 100% head to head league, and all games should be played either via the Internet or face to face or vs the PC Profile of the Teams.

The GFFL is designed and administered to be a coaches league and a GM league. The intent of this league, and every league, should be to win as many games as possible. Losing will not be rewarded so please read the rules on draft order and tie-breakers. Truly weaker or unfortunate teams will be given an avenue to rebuild, and the Rookie Draft provides for a quick turnaround of any franchise.

2. FUNCTION
The league will feature the exclusive use of the Action! PC pro football game. It is considered the official league policy of the GFFL that everyone is required to purchase the most current edition game disk AND the most current NFL season disk from Dave Koch Sports for use in the GFFL (if you have a previous season you can purchase the upgrade to the new game and NFL season disk). All owners are required to have and maintain an active E-mail or WhatsApp account, that you will be able to receive file attachments as well.

3. GAME PLAY
1. All rules of the current NFL season with regard to goal line placement, field goal miss spot, kickoff yard line, etc., will be followed. Home field advantage will NOT be used . Other game settings will be as follows:
a. Season Usage: Will be set to 100% for mild, 105% for medium and 110% for major.
b. Game Usage: No (on in playoffs--see below)
c. Injuries: Normal Frequency (Injuries WILL carry over to the playoffs)
d. Special Teams Season Fatigue: Yes
e. League Type: Draft

2. All teams will be expected to compete and play to win in each and every GFFL game in which they participate. Failure to do this can result in disciplinary action

3. PLAYOFF GAME FATIGUE: Will be set to current game default, unless voted differently by league membership. The boxes for QB, WR, and RB's that allows them 20/3/5 unfatigued touches in the playoffs will be unchecked, which allows them only as many unfatigued touches as their normal game fatigue would allow.

4. The GFFL will ONLY use game usage fatigue during the post-season.

5. In the playoffs each year all teams with a first round bye will receive one week of injury fatigue relief. Both teams advancing to the Super Bowl will be given one week rest and fatigue relief before the big game to simulate that the NFL goes two weeks between the Conference Finals and the Super Bowl.

6. PLAY CLOCK: The Play clock will be turned on in the League Rules and set to 45 seconds for offense and 35 seconds for defense. However, by agreement from BOTH teams, the play clock may be turned off at any time. Likewise, the Play clock may be resumed/turned on at any time by EITHER team requesting such, and cannot be turned off until both teams agree to the suspension of the clock. During live games, the play clock may be temporarily suspended by either coach to attend to real-life issues as needed.(family issuesetc..)

4. ROSTERS
1. Each team will have a roster of 53 players. If you should exceed the 53 man limit during the rookie and/or free agent draft you must immediately after the draft release enough players to get back down to the 53 man limit, before trading is reopened. All teams must carry a full 53 player roster at the completion of the Free Agent Draft, and must stay there during the regular season. You may be below this before the Rookie and Free Agent Drafts, but upon completion of the FA Draft you must be at 53 players Barring injury, every player must be active for every game.

3. I.R Pre-Season (Off-Season)
All teams are allowed 4 players for their pre-season IR. UPDATE 22-CoviD 19 Rule -now IRs expanded to 6 Spots ! These players must have a durability of 2 or less or appeared in 1 games or fewer during the NFL regular season. They will not count toward your 53 player limit. These players will be ineligible for league play at any point during the season or post-season. Once placed on IR, these players may not be traded. Any player acquired during the current off-season is ineligible for IR

4. UNRATED PLAYERS (DNP's): Any player that is not rated by the latest Action football files can be carried on your I.R. roster as a player that is ineligible for all league games These players may be cut at any time.

5. Upon release of the initial files in March each team will be given a text copy of his team's roster from the previous season. It is each owner's responsibility to double check his team's roster for accuracy and errors, and to report any discrepancies immediately to the league office.

6. Teams must carry the following minimum number of players at each listed position. It is the responsibility of each team to assure they are in compliance with t all times during the regular season and playoffs.

a. OFFENSE: 2 QB, 3 RB, 4 WR, 2 TE or HB, 2 C, 3 G, 3 OT

b. DEFENSE: 5 DT/DE/DL with at least 2 each at DE and DT. 5 LB with at least 2 each at ILB/OLB. Total of 12 Front-7 (DE, DT, DL, LB, ILB, OLB).4 CB,3 S

c. SPECIAL TEAMS: 1 K (with at least 15 FG att's or several kickers with at least a combined 20 FG att's), 1 P (with at least 30+ att's or several punters with at least 30 combined punt att's), 1 Holder & 1 Long Snapper-which could be replaced by a unranked OL.

7. Note: Players with durability below 7 will not count toward these position minimums. Additionally, if you have a QB with a durability of 10 then you will only be required to carry 2 QB's. QB's are exempt from the durability limit and will count toward roster requirements regardless of their durability. A player may not count toward more than one position.

8. ATTEMPT MINIMUMS: Each team is advised to have a minimum of 200 QB pass attempts, 220 RB/HB rush attempts and 175 WR/TE/HB receptions to open the season.
9. OVERUSE PENALTIES: There will be no over-use penalties applied by GFFL other than in-game fatigue penalties assigned by the game for any player at any position.

6. ROOKIE DRAFT
On a weekend in April just before the completion of the NFL Draft we will hold our Rookie Draft. This will consist of any player chosen by the NFL in it's completed Rookie Draft the year before . All players not found on an actual GFFL Roster are eligible for the GFFL rookie draft. It will be a 7 round draft with the order determined by the tie-breakers as listed in section 16. When DKSports releases it's annual season disk we will use the ratings from that disk to play and for use in our season. Trading will be allowed during the time of the draft.

7. FREE AGENT DRAFT
At the issue of the new season disk each year any players that are not on any roster will be put into the draft pool for the Free Agent Draft.

The draft will be held the first week after the GFFL Rookie Draft in March/April each year if possible,
The draft order will be the of the rookie draft order
Trading will be suspended during the time of the draft.
Free Agent Draft picks are not tradeable.
Teams may release players during the Free Agent draft, but may not release players acquired during the draft until the conclusion of the draft.
Teams may exceed the 53 player limit.
At the conclusion of the free agent draft, all teams must immediately cut to 53 players .

8. LEFTOVER PLAYERS ("MINI-DRAFT")

After completion of the Rookie Draft each season any players leftover and not on any roster will be put into a pool of players for the leftover player "mini-draft". This will be held in a manner designated by the Commissioner and on a date set by the Commissioner in advance each year.
1. The draft will be held the first week after the GFFL Rookie Draft in April each year if possible,
2. The draft order will be the of the rookie draft order (with the note below !)
3. Trading will be suspended during the time of the draft.
The order for this draft will be in order of the total team Roster situation based on 53 Player roster. Playoff participation is ignored.
The mini-draft will last until every GFFL Teams has its 53 Player Roster Limit reached. These picks may not be traded.
After completion of the "mini-draft" teams any player not on an GFFL roster that is "carded" in the current season player disk is going back into next years Rookie Draft Pool!

9. POSITIONAL RULES (on hold until further notice)
WR/TE RUSHING RULE: Due to there not being game fatigue during the regular season the following rule will be used for all GFFL games, including playoffs. The rule for rushing and/or passing attempts for WR/TE will be as follows: Players with 1-10 real life attempts can rush/pass no more than once per game. Players with 11-20 real life attempts can rush/pass no more than twice per game. Players with 21+ attempts are unlimited per game, but keep in mind that season fatigue will still effect these players.No WR/TE can exceed his 110% of his real life rush/pass attempts in any given season. Failure to adhere to this rule can result in a protest by your opponent and having the game replayed if upheld. Stiffer penalties can be levied in cases of deliberate and intentional overuse.
KICKER/PUNTER RULE: At the start of the regular season at a deadline set by the Commissioner no team may carry more than one Kicker with 20 or more FG attempts, nor more than one Punter with 50 or more Punt Attempts. You may carry as many as you'd like up to the start of the deadline, but then you must be in compliance with the above rule.
PLAYING PLAYERS OUT OF POSITION: Players may play out of position with DK penalty ratings in effect.
QB USAGE ATTEMPT LIMITS: No team can enter any season, or any time during that season, have more than two (2) QB with 450 or more pass attempts. 1st year rookies that are drafted in the rookie draft list will be exempt from this ruling and their attempts would not count against their team.

10. GAME REPORTING
All game reports and files are due on the next 14 days ,following the release of the league files for that week. should be reported to the league commissioner .Each owner is responsible to see that his game results & stats are reported on time on a two week deadline weekly basis. If an owner should fall behind in the playing and/or reporting of his games and/or stats to a point where the Commissioner should doubt his ability to finish the season that owner can and will be replaced. Constant missing of deadlines is cause for removal from the GFFL . All games must be reported and game files submitted by the host team to the Commissioner and opposing coach within 24 hours of completing the game.

11. SCHEDULING GAMES

1. The league file for each week will be e-mailed no later than Monday morning of each league week complets all games

2. It is the exclusive responsibility of the home team to contact his opponent no later than Wednesday night with available times to play.

3. If the home team does not make contact within the allotted time, the visiting team may request a sub coach be assigned by the league.

4. If the home team makes contact but does not receive a response by Friday morning, the home coach may request a sub coach be assigned by the league.

5. Each game played head-to-head (shown as "internet" on the league standings) is prefered over the play vs the PC

12. PENALTIES
All owners are expected to meet all league deadlines established by the League Office. All owners are expected to play in a coomon sense fair gameplay.

As all of our drafts will be timed drafts held online using video Google hangout there will be no further fines other than having others jump ahead of you in the round.

13. DRAFT PICK AND MONETARY FINES
In any case where it calls for the loss of a draft pick and that pick has already been traded or otherwise deleted from that team, then that team will lose the next two highest of their remaining draft picks. For example, the penalty calls for loss of a #1 pick and that pick has been traded, then that team will forfeit their #2 and #3 picks instead. If the penalized team has traded all of their draft picks then the cap fine will be doubled and that team will lose it's #1 draft pick for the next available draft. In all cases where a penalized owner quits the league all draft pick and monetary fines will be rescinded for the new owner, who will start with a clean slate.

14. TRADE PROCEDURE

In the event of two or more owners agreeing on a trade the following procedure must be adhered to: all trades must be reported by both parties within 24 hours by via e-mail only to the Commissioner to do otherwise or the trade will be ruled invalid. The Commissioner has & will use the power to ask all other members to overrule any trade he feels is detrimental to the balance of the league for any reason. In-season trading is not allowed

Trades may include picks for the next scheduled rookie draft only.
Free agent draft picks may not be traded.
Players traded away may not be re-acquired until the following off-season. Draft picks may be re-acquired at any time.
Trades may not include players-to-be-named-later.

15. PLAYOFFS
At the close of the regular season the LOC's playoffs will begin. Six teams from each conference will make the playoffs---the 3 divisional winners and 3 wild card teams with the best records. The two divisional winning teams with the best records will get first round byes and all playoff games will continue as per the NFL up to and including the LOC Super Bowl. The Super Bowl will be played at a neutral site designated in advance each year. Injuries will carry over into the playoffs from the regular season. The six post-season participants from each conference will be seeded as follows:

The division champion with the best record.
The division champion with the second-best record.
The division champion with the third-best record.
The Wild Card club with the best record.
The Wild Card club with the second-best record.
The Wild Card club with the 3rd best record.

Both teams advancing to the Super Bowl will be given two weeks rest and fatigue relief before the big game to simulate that the NFL goes two weeks between the Conference Finals and the Super Bowl.

16. TIE-BREAKERS

The following procedures will be used to break standings ties for post season playoffs and to determine regular-season schedules. NOTE: Tie games count as one-half win and one-half loss for both clubs.

TIE-BREAKER FOR DETERMINING PLAYOFF TEAMS AND SEEDINGS:
2. Head to Head Games (winner of head to head game receives priority)
3. Best record in Conference Games (if all teams in same conference)
4. Best Record in games with Common Opponents--two tied teams only (minimum of 4 games each to use this qualifier)
5. Strength of Victory, as determined from within the Action games via the "Strength of Victory" Report (strongest strength of victory gets the tie-breaker)
6. Strength of Schedule as determined from within the Action game as per the "Opponents Records" Report (strongest strength of schedule gets the tie-breaker)
7. Use of subs: The team using the fewest subs will win the tiebreaker.
8. Random Draw tied to a confirmable source, such as a lottery result

TIE-BREAKER FOR DETERMINING DRAFT ORDER FOR ROOKIE AND FA DRAFTS:
1. The Super Bowl winner is last and the Super Bowl loser next-to-last.
2. Non Super-Bowl playoff teams will be ordered per existing NFL rules to the season in question.
3. Strength of Schedule as determined from within the Action game as per the "Opponents Records" Report (strongest strength of schedule gets the tie-breaker)
6. Head to Head Games (winner of head to head game receives priority)
7. Best Record in Divisional Games (if all teams in same division)
8. Best record in Conference Games (if all teams in same conference)
9. Best Record in games with Common Opponents--two tied teams only (minimum of 4 games each to use this qualifier)
10. Strength of Victory, as determined from within the Action games via the "Strength of Victory" Report (strongest strength of victory gets the tie-breaker)
11. Use of subs: The team using the fewest subs will win the tiebreaker.
12. Random Draw tied to a confirmable source, such as a lottery result

17. TEAM OPENINGS
In the event that a team becomes vacant for any reason the League Office will take whatever steps necessary to replace that owner. Once a new owner is found he will not be permitted to make any trades whatsoever until 24 hours AFTER the date his name is announced. This is to give all league owners an equal chance to make deals with the new owner.

18. NEWLY ADOPTED RULES
The "Long Pass Audible Rule" ( disadvantage for Defenses by the game)
In gameplay , in a 3rd or 4th down situation with the Offense facing a 1 yard or less , it is NOT ALLOWED to audible to a LONG Pass Play Call by the Offense after the Defense made already their Play Call!!

19. POWERS of THE COMMISSIONER COUNCIL
The Commissioner Council reserves the right to make any rulings necessary that are not expressly covered in these bylaws. This includes but is not limited to interpreting rules, defining loopholes, and any other ruling that may become necessary for the good of the league.