The "Competitive Edge" Franchise Football League
Official Game Rules!
NOTE: The rules were last updated on August 18th, 2019
Game Purpose:
To match football strategy and sports management skills against a league full
of opponents, who could be co-workers, friends, family, etc.....to determine
through weekly CEFFL scoring, who drafts and manages the best professional
football team. Points are awarded based on actual scores made by NFL players
during the regular NFL season. Owners play head-to-head (Franchise vs. Franchise)
against other CEFFL team owners all season long until a league champion is crowned.
To Enter The League:
Since a league maximum of 12 teams has been established, a current team must
leave the league in order to make room for a new team. If a team does leave the
league, the Commissioner refers to the Waiting list of teams wanting to enter the
league and verifies they are still interested. Then, if none accept the invitation,
entry is opened up to others.
New Owner Integration:
New Owners must agree to pay the appropriate, current league fees (which are
determined on a year-to-year basis) plus $10 for logo, helmet & website creation
and integration. Franchises may also have co-owners who could split the overall
costs. The team name chosen by the new Franchise will be used throughout the
NFL season. The recommended name format needs to be coordinated with the current
league commissioner. Changes to team names or locations can only occur in the
off-season.
The Commissioner:
The CEFFL Commissioner is responsible for creating league rules, conducting
league business, arbitrating minor league disputes, recording all draft information,
approving trades, and providing weekly scoring and standings reports to franchise
owners. In our league, the Commissioner also maintains the league's web site
(which you are currently reading) and organizes the Draft Party, the Annual Owner's
Meeting (if applicable), the Supplemental Draft (if utilized) and Off-Season
sporting events (if applicable).
Draft:
Prior to the start of the NFL season, the Commissioner sets a date for the draft.
It is the Franchise Owners responsibility to gather information about players and
teams to prepare for the draft. Each Franchise Owner drafts a total of 18 offensive
players, 2 defensive/special teams units, and starting in 2011, 1 bonus player at any
position from current NFL rosters.
Each franchise drafts:
3 Quarterbacks (QB)
5 Running Backs (RB)
6 Wide Receivers (WR)
2 Tight Ends (TE)
2 Kickers (K)
2 Defensive/Special Teams Units (DT)
1 Bonus Player
Starting in 2012, the draft order will be determined through random selection.
Using the "Reverse Order" format, teams draft in the following order,
(1-12, 12-1, 1-12, etc...) each round for 21 rounds. Franchise Owners are
allowed two minutes to make a player selection. Selections not made in the
allotted time will allow the next team in line to make a selection. If the next
team's selection comes before the previous team's selection, then that next team
gets the player. The previous team can make a selection for that slot as soon
as they make up his/her mind. If the pick is not made before the end of that
round, the pick will be waived until the end of the draft. For those Owners
who cannot make the draft, a 'Draft Wish List' can be filled out and returned to
the Commissioner prior to Draft Day. It is the responsibility of the absent
owner to properly document the 'Draft Wish List'. None of the other 11 owners
or their affiliates are allowed to draft for the absent owner. Either the
commissioner or a 3rd party individual (chosen by the absent owner or the
Commissioner) must read from the 'Draft Wish List'. Call-in's and chatrooms
are also allowed, but they can only be operated at the draft by a 3rd party
or the Commissioner, and are subject to the same 2-minute rule in effect for
owners in attendance. Starting in 2014, web-based drafting is available for
all absent owners. This method has to be set up with the Commissioner at
least 2 weeks prior to draft day.
Note: Some NFL players start at more than one position during the NFL season.
These players will be listed on the Available (or NonDrafted) Players List
as they appear on the current NFL roster. A Franchise earns points
if that player scores in any position, as long as the player was started
that week.
(For example: Dexter McCluster was considered a WR and not a RB. Eric
Metcalf was considered a RB and not a WR. Etc…)
Season Schedule:
Starting in the 2000 season, as a result from the 1999 Owner's Meeting, the
season was cut back 1 week. The regular season will go from week 1
through week 13. The Wildcard games will be played on week 14. The
Division Championship games will be played on week 15, and the Super Bowl
will be played on week 16. A generic CEFFL team vs. team schedule is released
during the preseason each year and updated with team names after the draft.
Starting in the 2001 season, the league was split into 3 divisions. Each
team plays 2 of their division opponents twice, one of their division opponents
once, and all remaining teams from the other two divisions once (see Playoff
Format below for the Post-Season Schedule).
Division Setup:
Starting in 2012, the 3 divisions will be renamed every year. The names will
be chosen each year by the Commissioner in a number of different ways, which could
change year to year.
Also starting in 2012, during the random selection of draft order, the 12 teams
will be systematically grouped into divisions.
Here how it works:
Each owner is randomly assigned a number between 1-12 to determine their designation
for a number of appointed positions during the draft. A designated volunteer will
draw a card from the draft order deck (1-12). The number represents the team to
draft last in the first round. That team is then placed in division 3. A card is
then drawn from the Division 3 Deck (1-4) for placement within that division (for
schedule purposes).
The designated volunteer then draws the next card from draft order deck for pick 11
in the draft. That team is placed in division 2. A card is then drawn from the
Division 2 Deck (1-4) for placement within that division (for schedule purposes).
The designated volunteer then draws the next card from draft order deck for pick 10
in the draft. That team is placed in division 1. A card is then drawn from the
Division 1 Deck (1-4) for placement within that division (for schedule purposes).
The designated volunteer then draws the next card from draft order deck for pick 9
in the draft. That team is placed in division 3. A card is then drawn from the
remaining Division 3 Deck for placement within that division (for schedule purposes).
These steps are continued / repeated until all divisions are full and the draft order
is complete.
Starting Lineups:
Each Franchise must submit a starting lineup of 8 offensive players plus a
defensive/special teams unit prior to kickoff of the first regular season
game of the NFL season. Lineup submissions are due each week thereafter,
before kickoff of a given week. Therefore, if an NFL game is scheduled for
Thursday or Saturday, players playing in those games need to be called in
or posted on the website prior to the start of their respective games.
On Sunday, before 1pm, when the rest of the games begin, the rest of the
players must be started (including any players starting on Sunday or Monday
night). After week one, if no starting lineup is submitted, the Commissioner
assumes the Franchise has no lineup changes, and the previous week's lineup
will roll-over to the current week. If no lineup is given for week 1, the
Commissioner will choose who takes the field for the errant Franchise.
The starting lineup consists of:
Starting in the 2014 season, a flex lineup system was established. Starting
rosters must contain 1 QB, 1 K and 1 Defense. The RB, WR & TE positions
will make up the remaining 6 spots. The RB & TE positions must contain
a minimum of 1 player. The WR position must contain a minimum of 2 players.
Starting rosters must follow one of the following formats:
Traditional Balanced Physical Finesse Run & Shoot
1 QB 1 QB 1 QB 1 QB 1 QB
2 RBs 2 RBs 3 RBs 1 RBs 1 RBs
3 WRs 2 WRs 2 WRs 3 WRs 4 WRs
1 TE 2 TE 1 TE 2 TE 1 TE
1 K 1 K 1 K 1 K 1 K
1 DT 1 DT 1 DT 1 DT 1 DT
Trades:
As with real NFL teams, Franchise Owners can trade or transfer one or more
NFL players from one Franchise to another. Offensive players cannot be
traded for defensive teams, but defensive teams can be traded for one
another. Future season's draft picks are also NOT tradeable, however, in
certain circumstances, current draft picks are.
Trading players can begin as soon as each Franchise has an active roster.
Trading can also take place at the draft. 3 different types of trades
take place here - player for player, 1st round draft pick for draft pick
and draft position for draft position.
> The player for player trade would involve players just drafted
by teams who perhaps made a draft mistake. Usually these trades
are worked out during the draft, but not noted until the end of
the draft.
> The 1st round player for player draft trade would be just switching
positions in the first few rounds. This is where one team would like
to move up in the first round to draft a player they don't think would
fall to them at their original draft slot. When this occurs, Team B
(the team moving up) must give up draft positions in subsequent rounds
to make the trade even. Team A (the team with the better original
position) will need to benefit in subsequent rounds for giving up their
better first round slot. When this occurs, the 2 teams essentially
trade draft positions in rounds 1, 2 & 4.
> The last draft day trade type is full position for position. This
is where two teams agree to trade entire positions with no complications.
This is the easiest draft day trade type, but just needs to be finalized
during draft board setup.
The last 2 trade types are required to be worked out by the two participating
teams between the draft order selection and the start of the draft. proper
notification needs to be expressed during this time to avoid any conflicts
during the draft.
After the draft, normal trading is allowed, however, sometimes, trades
may be lopsided, for example, trading a RB for a WR. This type of
trade can occur, and in such case, the Franchises involved may need to
supplement their rosters to remain at the league minimum for each position.
In order to complete the transaction, each team will need to drop/add a player
to return to league standards. With the introduction of the Bonus Player,
supplementing rosters after unbalanced trades may not be necessary.
Unbalanced trades are possible as long as teams do not go below the minimum
limit (as described above). No trades are allowed during the last 3 weeks
of the season, but player signings are allowed. A trade deadline will be set by
the Commissioner during the season and will be announced well in advance of the
effective date. All trades must be reviewed and approved by the league
Commissioner. See "Arbitration Committee 3.2" for more information on special
circumstances.
Starting in 2012, It is mandatory for all Franchises to make at least one trade
per month (Sept) (Oct) (Nov). If a team fails to make a trade in a given month,
that team's #1 QB will be suspended for his first active game in the following
month. Starting mid-season 2012, this rule was updated, also allowing a
franchise owner to write 1 article per month instead. So each owner
either has to make one trade OR write one article each month. Any full articles
written during the preseason count towards the September requirement.
Waivers:
A Franchise Owner may also waive a player on his/her current roster and add
a non-roster player from the Available Players List during designated times
throughout the season.
Starting the 1st Tuesday after the draft, the weekly autodraft will take
place, starting the free for all signing period for that week. Up until the
first game of the regular season, all teams have unlimited waivers each week.
Once the first autodraft has taken place, the waiver system is as follows:
[Starting Thursday at 8pm] We will have "NO TRANSACTIONS ALLOWED" during the
Thursday game. During this game, all players on both teams will be "LOCKED"
until the Waiver Request Period starts on Sunday at 1:00pm.
[Starting Friday at 6am] A free-for-all signing period begins for all players
EXCEPT those from the Thursday night game. This free-for-all period ends
Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm.
[Starting Sunday afternoon at 1:00pm] The Waiver Request Period begins. During
this time, teams can select players they would like to sign and add them to a
weekly waiver wish list. On Tuesday night, at 9pm, the site will run through a
pre-determined draft order (worst to first) for ONE ROUND ONLY, assigning
players to teams automatically until that one round is complete. All
free-agents, including those locked from Thursday night, will be available
for your request form.
[Starting Tuesday at 9pm] A one-round "Auto Draft" takes place. The event
marks the begininng of a free-for-all signing period that ends on Thursday
night at 8pm. (rinse and repeat). Once a player is dropped during this
free-for-all signing period, that player is locked for 24 hours, and cannot
be signed by anyone.
Starting in 2013, there will be a maximun number of 3 waivers allowed per
week - and that includes the Auto-Draft. If your team was awarded a player
during the Tuesday night Auto-Draft, you will have 2 waivers remaining for that week.
If not, then you will have 3 remaining. Waiver counts are reset each week as
the Tuesday night waiver period begins.
Tuesday Night Auto-Draft / Waiver Request Form:
The Auto-draft takes place every Tuesday night at 9:00pm. From early Sunday
morning to late Tuesday night, each owner can go to the "Waivers" page
and add wanted players to a queue. When that happens a player from your
roster has to be chosen at the same time to drop. Since there is only one
round, the same player from your roster (to be dropped) can be selected
for each different player in your wanted list - for example:
> pickup WR Frank Jones, Drop WR Joe Smith
> pickup WR Bob Williams, Drop WR Joe Smith
> pickup WR John Johnson, Drop WR Joe Smith
The weekly Auto-draft order is automatically changed by the site once the Monday night
scores and CEFFL standings have been tabulated. That is usually between 1am and
4am. The "Waiver Request" order is listed on the bottom of the main page of our
site. The order of the actual picks is listed in the "Most Recent Transactions"
section of our main page AND in a weekly email sent to each owner on Tuesday
morning (if registered to receive notification emails).
As a reminder, there are no transactions (including IR moves) from Thursday at
8:00pm to Friday at 6:00am AND from Sunday at 1:00pm to Tuesday at 9:00pm.
Injured Reserve:
When an NFL player becomes injured, depending on his injury designation, a
Franchise Owner may place that player from his/her team on Injured
Reserve and sign a new player to take his active roster spot.
With the social media boom, we have become aware of injuries almost before
the players themselves. In these cases, we are aware they will be out before
they do. Sometimes we could go days knowing they will miss time before the
NFL will designate them as such. In 2012, that was a major problem. In 2013,
the decision was made to add "questionable" to the allowable designation list.
However, with this new, more lenient designation, it is expected that owners will
police themselves to make proper roster moves. If players are placed on injured
reserve under the "questionable" tag, they will need to provide documentation to the
Commissioner of that players circumstances. If the player is not really injured,
or no documentation can be provided that he is really injured, the transaction will
be reversed and the free-agent will become unlocked for all to sign.
Once a player becomes injured and placed on Injured Reserve, the Franchise Owner
may then draft another player at that position (unless that's the position of your
current bonus player) from the Available Players List. Once the player returns
to his NFL team, the Franchise Owner must then decide whether to keep the formerly
injured player, or the replacement player. I/R moves are unlimited starting
in 2012, however, a team can only have up to 2 players on I/R at any one time.
I/R moves cannot be traded and no I/R moves can encroach into the post-season. At
the end of the CEFFL regular season, all players still on injured reserve must be
cut or made active.
Franchise Players:
Starting in 2013, the Franchise Player Rule is no more.
Supplemental Draft:
Starting in 2011, the Supplemental Draft will no longer be utilized. We
will be switching to the Bonus Player system.
Performance Prizes:
Starting in 2012, performance prizes will no longer be awarded. If anyone
would like to order league embroidered merchandise, please notify the
commissioner and an order will be organized.
Special Rules For Special People:
At the 1999 Annual Owner's Meeting, several items were discussed that had to
be addressed. They had gone on for too long, and something had to be done.
Below is a culmination of the discussions, that were necessary to add to the
rules, but did not fit in any one particular category.
Negativity Breeds Loneliness: When any team Owner begins to
outwardly display negativity, on a regular basis, towards the league
or another Owner, that Owner will immediately be dismissed from the
league. The team's operations will then be taken over by a current
staff member, while the starting lineups would then be turned in by
the current 3.2 Member Arbitration Committee (see below).
No Pay'n No Gain: When a Franchise Owner neglects to pay that
season's current league fees, that Franchise will automatically
forfeit all games played until payment is received and confirmed by
the Commissioner. All Owners who are considered "paid in full",
will receive confirmation at or around the draft.
Wake Up Or Go Back To Sleep: When a Franchise Owner neglects to
submit a starting lineup for 3 straight weeks (especially during NFL
bye weeks) it is clear that the Owner no longer cares about the league
or his/her team. Starting in the 2000 season, when this occurs, that
Owner will not be invited back for the following season.
Arbitration Committee 3.2
Starting in the 2000 season, and continuing every year thereafter, a 3.2
member Arbitration Committee will be formed at or before the draft. The
committee will consist of 3 active members and 2 inactive members. Their
duties will be to act as arbitrators over questionable acts or circumstances
during the season. The members will be determined each year through a random
drawing. Each season the committee will be reselected. If an incident occurs
that the Commissioner deems appropriate for a committee to review, the active
members will make a ruling, unless one or more of the active members are
involved in the incident. At that point, an inactive member (or members)
will be activated to vote on that one incident. Afterwards, the original
active member (or members) re-takes his/her role. The Committee only votes
once on an issue, and any appeal must be made to the commissioner for a final
ruling. If a similar incident (that has already been through arbitration)
arises during the season, the Commissioner has the authority to use the former
ruling by the committee to overrule an action or request. Generally, each
season's rulings (by the Arbitration Committee 3.2) are separate from another
season. But in some cases, where a ruling has caused the commissioner to
enact a new rule because of it, that new rule will go into effect the following
season.
Scoring:
FFL Scoring is based on actual plays and performances made by NFL players each
week during the NFL Season. Only players listed as starters for each Franchise
receive points for that Franchise. Points are awarded for rushing TDs, passing
TDs, receiving TDs, point after TDs, field goals, and any touchdown or safety
scored by the defensive/special teams unit. There are also several performance
categories in the Official CEFFL Scoring System, both for offense and defense
(see the Official Scoring System for specifics).
Tie Breakers: Standings
During the season, if two or more teams have the same record, use the following
chart to determine the "Standings" order in each division.
1. Overall Record
2. Head to Head Record
3. Division Record
4. League Points
5. Head to Head Points
6. Division Points
7. Non-Division Record
Tie Breakers: Games
Our league allows ties in head-to-head matchups, so if two teams playing one
another in a regular season game, end in a tie, that is the outcome. In the
post-season only, the win goes to the home team in the event of a tie (after
Home Field Advantage is added).
In the Super Bowl, ties are broken by comparing non-starting points. In the
event those too are the same, positional points will be used. First the
starting defenses, then kickers and finally QBs. After that, if they are
still tied, they both deserve to be named league Champion!
The Playoff Format / Post Season:
The playoffs begin in week 14 of the NFL regular season, which is also
known as the "Wildcard" round. 6 teams are eligible for the playoffs.
Each CEFFL Division Leader plus three (3) Wildcard teams will play for a
shot at the Championship. The 3 Division Leaders will be the teams
with the best record within their division. The Wildcard teams will
be the teams with the best record and not a division leader. The
three (3) Wildcard teams can come from any division. In the event
of identical records, our tie-breaker system determines the top seed.
Each team in the playoffs is given a "seed" that will determine who
plays who. (See ** Special Post Season Scoring ** rules below)
In the Wildcard round, the top 2 seeds (both Division Leaders) have a bye.
Team #3 (also a Division Leader) will play Team #6. Team #4 will play
Team #5.
In the Division Championship round, Team #1 will play the lowest remaining
seeded team. Team #2 plays the highest remaining seeded team. The winners
of those two games play each other in the Super Bowl.
The CEFFL Super Bowl will be played in week 16 of the NFL regular season.
The Consolation Playoff Draw / Post Season:
Starting in 2012, the teams that do not make the regular playoffs, will
be entered into a consolation playoff bracket, where they will play for
a pre-determined prize.
This consolation playoff bracket begins in week 14 of the NFL regular
season, which will be called Round 1. In Round 1, the top 2 seeds
(best remaining record) get a bye. Team #3 will play Team #6. Team #4
will play Team #5.
In Round 2, Team #1 will play the lowest remaining seeded team. Team #2
plays the highest remaining seeded team. The winners of those two games
play each other in the final round.
The final round will be played in week 16 of the NFL regular season.
Tabulation Of Weekly Scoring:
The Commissioner uses myfantasyleague.com's stat service by which to update
the weekly scoring. Through this stat service the league can track over 50
NFL statistical categories automatically each week. The Commissioner then provides
weekly standings and scoring reports to league members via our web site.
Winners are determined by head-to-head competition between Franchises. For
a detailed breakdown of this year's scoring, click here.
For our Official Scoring System...see below.
** Official CEFFL Scoring System **
Regular Scoring Plays
0-9 yds 10-39 yds 40+ yds
Points Points Points
QB pass for TD 6 9 12
RB run for TD 6 9 12
PR catch for TD 6 9 12
DT return for TD 6 9 12
0-39 yds 40-49 yds 50+ yds
Points Points Points
Field Goal 3 5 10
Two-Point Conversion
QB pass for conversion 2
RB run for conversion 2
PR catch for conversion 2
QB run/catch for conversion 4
RB pass/catch for conversion 4
PR run/pass for conversion 4
Bonus Scoring Plays
0-9 yds 10-39 yds 40+ yds
Points Points Points
QB run/catch for TD 12 18 24
RB pass/catch for TD 12 18 24
PR pass/run for TD 12 18 24
K pass/run/catch for a TD 12 18 24
Performance Scoring
QB Pass Yds 1 point beginning at 210 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
QB Rush Yds 1 point beginning at 10 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
RB Rush Yds 1 point beginning at 10 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
RB Receiving Yds 1 point beginning at 10 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
PR Rushing Yds 1 point beginning at 10 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
PR Receiving Yds 1 point beginning at 10 yds 1 point for every 10 yds. thereafter
** Defense / Special Teams **
Safety scored by a DT = 4 pts.
INT thrown by a QB = -1 pt.
Point After Touchdown (PAT) = 1 pt.
Sack made by a DT = 2 pts.
INT, or fumble recovery made by a DT = 1 pt.
NFL Shut out = 8 pts.
Total Yds. allowed by DT (0-200 yds.) = 8 pts.
Total Yds. allowed by DT (201-300 yds.) = 4 pts.
Total Yds. allowed by DT (301-400 yds.) = 1 pt.
** Special Post Season Scoring **
Home Field Advantage = 2 points
Home Team wins in case of a tie
See the "Playoff Format" above for Super Bowl & Consolation Round scenarios
Key: QB (Quarterback), RB (Running Back), PR (Pass Receiver), K (Kicker),
DT (Defensive Team), TD (Touchdown).
Pass Receivers (PR) include wide receivers (WR) and Tight ends (TE).
NOTE: Some rules, actions, or judgements may be sent to the 3.2 member
committee for further review.
