Gridiron Masters Football
League (GIMFL) - Constitution
League Founded - 2001
1.
Organization Structure:
The organization will consist of twenty-four (24) teams,
organized into two Leagues. Each League will have three
divisions, consisting of four (4) teams each. The League
shall have a Commissioner, who is in charge of League rules,
membership, League files, dispute resolution, conducting all
drafts, and any other matters necessary or convenient to the
operation of the League.
2.
Rule Changes:
Each year proposals for change may be submitted to the
Commissioner to be considered for inclusion on the League's
rule ballot. Proposals, which are presented, to the League
will need 75% favor of the League, to be included in the
upcoming year's Constitution. Members who do not vote, will
be counted as against the rule proposal. The Commissioner
reserves the right to make rule changes, without a League
vote, which are both necessary and in the best interests of
the League, or in furtherance of the League Constitution.
3.
Roster size:
Each team will have a maximum of fifty (50) players on their
roster. The 50-man roster must be maintained at all times,
except when cutting down prior to the annual draft. If a
trade puts a team’s roster over the limit, the excess player(s)
must be cut prior to any games being played.
4.
Player Usage:
A.
All players must be used in a realistic manner. Players
should not be used out of position. Players should not
substantially exceed their real-life totals for passing,
rushing, receiving, returns, kicking, or other attempts.
B.
Player usage will be controlled by using Mild Fatigue at 100%,
Moderate Fatigue at 110%, and Major Fatigue at 120%. Game
Fatigue will be set at 50% of real-life usage. Quarterback
game fatigue will not be used during the regular season, but
it will be used in the playoffs. Special teams season fatigue
will be used. The Commissioner reserves the right to adjust
these settings at any time as necessary in order to promote
realistic player usage.
C.No player may appear at any position not listed with his
name on the data disk. If a position played during the season
in question in real life is erroneously not listed for the
player on the data disk, the Commissioner will add the
position for the player upon notification and upon
verification by the Commissioner.
D.
Roster minimums and maximums at each position will not be
enforced; however, all teams should have enough coverage at
every position in order to use players realistically without
using any player out of position and without overuse
E.
Before the start of the season, coaches may submit requests to
change the any facet of any player on their team, including
but not limited to position(s) player or durability, only if
the information on the disk is in error. The Commissioner
will research the validity of each such request, and will
modify the player in question to correct any disk errors.
5.
Game Playing Rules:
A.
Head-to-head internet play is encouraged and recommended for
all STHFL League games; however it is not required during the
regular season, except for the League minimum amount described
below and as modified elsewhere by this Constitution.
B.
Coaches must play a minimum of eight (8) games head-to-head
over the internet during the regular season. Any coach not
meeting this minimum requirement will be excused from the
League. This number is a minimum only, and playing all
possible games over the internet is encouraged. The
Commissioner reserves the right to increase this minimum
number in future seasons, in consultation with the League
membership.
C.
All playoff games must be played head-to-head via the
internet.
D.
All regular season and playoff games will be played on the
field of the home team, with home field advantage set to “1”,
with the exception of the STHFL Super Bowl described below.
E.
All regular season games not played live on the internet will
be simmed by the Commissioner.
F.
The STHFL uses the most current version of the Action!PC
football game
G.
The STHFL uses the official data disk for each year played (as
may be modified as described herein)
H.
The STHFL will play a 16 game regular season.
I.
"Audibles” may not be used.
J.
“Trick plays” are limited to one (1) per half, and one (1) in
each overtime period. Trick plays do NOT include the
following and are not subject to limitation, even though they
may be listed as Trick plays in the game: Corner Fade, Over
the Top, QB Sneak, QB Kneel, Hail Mary, Delay Draw, Shovel
Pass, Quick Kick or Take Safety.
K.
Coaches should not run up the score, and coaches must not
“tank” any game for any reason whatsoever. Coaches must play
to win.
L.
Coaches must not “sim” games themselves. Games may only be
simmed by the Commissioner.
M.
The play clock may not be turned on and used unless agreed to
by both coaches, in advance of the opening kickoff.
N. Plays which apply only
to colleges, including but not limited to QB Option, may not
be used. Formations which are not used in the modern era NFL,
including but not limited to Single Wing, may not be used.
6. Substitute Coaches
A. INITIAL CONTACT. Please
contact your opponent promptly each week and do your best to
agree on a mutually convenient playing time. On or before
Thursday at 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET each week, contact the
Commissioner and tell him whether you have a confirmed playing
time and when it is, whether you have heard from your opponent
but have not scheduled a time yet, or whether you have not
heard from your opponent.
B. KEEPING YOUR CONFIRMED
PLAYING TIME. If you have a confirmed time, you need do
nothing more unless your opponent does not show up for your
game at the confirmed time and did not contact you in advance
to reschedule. If you have waited at least 20 minutes past
your confirmed start time, you may obtain a substitute coach
for your opponent, or you may continue to wait, or you may
attempt to reschedule at your option.
C. NO RESPONSE FROM
OPPONENT TO CONTACT ATTEMPTS. If you have attempted to make
contact but have not heard from your opponent by the Thursday
deadline, the Commissioner will attempt to contact him. If the
Commissioner does not receive a reply prior to 7:00 pm PT /
10:00 pm ET on Friday, you may obtain a substitute.
D. WHEN UNABLE TO REACH AN
AGREEMENT If you have heard from your opponent but have not
reached an agreement on a game time, prior to Thursday at 7:00
pm PT / 10:00 pm ET, contact the Commissioner. Within 24
hours, but prior to 7:00 pm PT / 10:00 pm ET on Friday, the
Commissioner, in his sole discretion, will either attempt to
settle the game time, will grant one of the coaches permission
to get a substitute, or will state that he is simming the
game.
E. WHO MAY SUBSTITUTE.
Only coaches with membership in STHFL/GIMFL or on the STHFL/GIMFL
wait list may serve as substitute coaches. Substitute coaches
may not be from the same division as the team for which they
are substituting. Substitute coaches may only be from the same
conference as the team for which they are substituting is a
coach from the other conference is not available, or if the
coach of the team being substituted has specifically requested
that they coach their team.
F. GRANTING PERMISSION AND
GIVING INSTRUCTIONS. A coach may grant permission for his
opponent to get a substitute at any time. A coach granting
permission may also provide game playing and/or usage
instructions for the substitute coach, who should use his best
efforts to follow them.
G. RULES FOR GAME PLAY.
Substitute coaches should not coach in an overly risky or
unsportsmanlike manner. Treat the team as if it is your own.
The following rules are in effect for substitutes: 1. no
onsides kicks unless in the final 10 minutes of the 4th
quarter and you are behind. 2. no going for it on 4th down
unless you are at or inside the opponent's 45 yard line, or
anywhere on the field if there are 10 or fewer minutes left in
the game and you are behind. 3. no goal line defense unless at
or inside your own 10 yard line 4. no blitzing of 5 or more
players any more than four times in the game. 5. no other
grossly unsportsmanlike strategies, as determined in the
Commissioner's sole discretion.
H. NUMBER OF TIMES YOU MAY
HAVE A SUB COACH YOUR TEAM. You may have a substitute coach
your team up to eight times per year. You must coach your team
yourself in at least eight games to retain league membership.
I. BENEFITS TO PLAYING
LIVE GAMES AND SERVING AS A SUB. You may obtain extra roster
spots for your team by playing more that 8 live games each
year. For every three games you play in excess of eight
(counting games in which you serve as a substitute coach), you
will get one extra roster spot for your team in the following
year. For example, if you play twelve live games with your own
team, and serve as a substitute coach five times, you would
have played nine extra games. (12+5=17 games total played,
less 8 minimum = 9 extra). You would then get three extra
roster spots (9 divided by 3 = 3), and get to carry 53 players
instead of 50 in the following season. The maximum number of
extra roster spots which may be obtained through this rule is
three, and the maximum roster size shall be 53 players.
J. SIMMING BY COMMISSIONER
All games not played live either by the primary coaches or by
a substitute coach will be simmed by the Commissioner. Games
played live, but in violation of these rules, may be simmed by
the Commissioner in his discretion. Solo vs. computer play is
not allowed.
K. SUBMITTING RESULTS AND
NAMES OF COACHES. When sending your results file to the
Commissior and to the league, please also give the names of
both coaches and whether or not they were substituting.
7.
Submission of Results and Coach Files:
A. All results files are
due on or before the deadline announced by the Commissioner.
If game results are not received by the Commissioner by the
deadline, the Commissioner shall sim that game.
B. If results are received
after the deadline, but before the Commissioner has simmed the
game, the Commissioner shall accept the results. Results
received after the deadline and after the Commissioner has
simmed the game shall be rejected.
C. If a results file has a
problem, such as it cannot be loaded or other problem, the
Commissioner shall allow the coach a reasonable time, not
exceeding 24 hours, to resubmit the results file. If a results
file which properly loads cannot be sent to the Commissioner
within the additional time granted, the Commissioner shall sim
the game.
D. The Commissioner will
send a confirming e-mail to each coach after the receipt of
all results files. If no confirmation is received within 24
hours, the coach should resubmit the file.
8.
Roster Protection:
A.
The League will be continuous ownership, with the exception of
free agents discussed below in the “Free Agent Signings”
section.
B.
Teams may protect any number of eligible players from your
roster, prior to the next year’s annual draft.
C.
The total of protected players and newly drafted players may
not exceed fifty (50).
D.
"Ghost players" (up to 3 per team at any one time) are
allowed, and they will not count against your 50 man protected
roster. "Ghost players," are defined as players which played
and were on a team’s roster in a prior season, but they do not
appear of the following season’s disk, due to injury,
suspension, or other reason. “Ghost Players” may be protected
in this manner for an unlimited time. If a protected “Ghost
Player” appears on the disk in a subsequent year, the player
must be protected and will count against the team’s 50-man
roster, or else the player will considered to be a free agent
and will be eligible for the annual draft.
9.
Free Agent Signings:
A.
If a trade puts a team under the roster limit, free agents
must be added prior to playing any games. Free agents added
in this manner will be released from the team’s roster at the
conclusion of the season, becoming free agents, and they may
not be protected prior to the next annual draft.
B.
A team may go over the roster limit and claim free agents if
they face a critical shortage at a position, which requires
the addition of players. Any free agents claimed in this
manner will cost the claiming team a tenth (10th)
round draft choice for the first player so claimed, a ninth (9th)
round choice for the next player, and so on. These claimed
free agents will be released from the team’s roster at the
conclusion of the season and will not be eligible to be
protected prior to the beginning of the next year’s annual
draft.
10. Drafts:
A.
An annual draft will be held each Spring, as soon as practical
following the release of the official season disk by Dave Koch
Sports.
B.
All players appearing on the disk who are not protected will
be eligible to be drafted, subject to the following
exceptions. If a player who was not active on a real life NFL
team roster for at least one (1) game during the real NFL
season appears on the official DKS disk, that player will be
removed by the Commissioner and is not eligible to be
drafted. Conversely, if a player was active for at least one
(1) game during the real NFL season, but does not appear on
the official DKS disk, that player will be added by the
Commissioner and will be eligible to be drafted. The
Commissioner shall notify the league of any such player
additions or deletions within a reasonable time prior to the
draft. In order to be eligible for the annual league draft, a
player must have been active for at least one (1) game during
the NFL season.
C.
Each year's draft order will be determined by the same method
as is used at the time by the NFL.
D.
Teams may cut any number of players, or cut no players. If
teams are cutting no players, they must notify the
Commissioner that this is their intention.
E.
Teams must enter the annual draft with a roster of 50 players
or fewer.
F.
Teams may keep drafting until their roster reaches 50
players. Once the teams roster reaches 50 players they must
stop drafting and they have no remaining draft picks.
G.
A team may not trade any draft pick that would occur after
that team reaches the 50 player roster limit.
H.
At the conclusion of the annual draft, teams will be allowed a
brief period to drop players and add free agents, or a first
come, first served basis, without penalty or limitation. Free
agents added during this period are considered “keepers” and
may be protected in subsequent years.
I. If a team fails to select a player during their allotted
draft time, the pick will be skipped and the next team in the
draft order will be on the clock. The coach owning the
skipped pick may then select from all unchosen players at his
leisure for the rest of the day; however all skipped picks
will be made by the Commissioner at the conclusion of each
draft day. All picks made by the Commissioner are final, and
a coach may not change any pick made by the Commissioner as a
result of a skipped draft pick.
11. Trades:
A.
Both coaches must notify the Commissioner (or his designee) of
the trade, before the trade can be approved by the
Commissioner.
B.
Trades do not become official until approved by the
Commissioner and until the next Play Game File is sent out by
the Commissioner.
C.
Trading of draft picks up to one year in advance will be
allowed, but will only be allowed after the conclusion of the
prior year’s annual draft. Trading of draft picks more than
one year in advance is prohibited.
D.
The deadline for trading in the STHFL is after the fourth (4th)
game of the season, and prior to the fifth (5th)
game of the season.
E.
In general, the Commissioner will approve all trades unless
they are 1) so grossly unfair as to be unconscionable on their
face; 2) the result of deception; 3) will result in a rule
violation, such as leaving a team critically short of players,
4) a result of a material mistake. If the Commissioner does
not approve a trade, the Commissioner may void the trade, ask
that the trade be re-worked or take any other action in the
Commissioner’s discretion.
12. Playoffs:
A.
Six (6) teams in each League will make the playoffs.
B.
The first place team from each division will qualify for the
playoffs, and the three teams in each League with the next
best won-loss percentage will also qualify for the playoffs as
“wild cards”.
C. The six playoff teams in each League will be seeded from 1
to 6, with the 1st seed having the best record and
the 6th seed having the worst record. The three
division winners will be seeded 1, 2 and 3, while the wild
card teams will be seeded 4, 5 and 6.
D.
All ties will be broken by applying the same tie-breaker rules
as are in use in real-life in the NFL at the time.
E.
The top two seeds in each League will receive a bye in the
first round. The first round games will consist of seed 3
hosting seed 6, and seed 4 hosting seed 5. For subsequent
rounds, the highest seeded team shall play host to the lowest
seeded team, etc.
F.
All playoff games must be played head-to-head via the
internet.
G.
The STHFL Super Bowl will be played in the stadium of the most
recent real-life Super Bowl, with no home field advantage even
if one of the teams participating in the Super Bowl uses that
stadium as it’s home field during the regular season.
H.
All of the rules in the previous “Game Playing Rules” section
also apply for all playoff games, including the Super bowl.
13.
Expansion:
Any future expansion shall be voted and approved by the League
for recommendation. If the League recommends expansion, an
Expansion Committee will be selected by the Commissioner.
This Committee will make a proposal or proposals to the STHFL
membership for approval. Expansion plans may be approved by a
simple majority vote of the membership.
13. Violations:
A.
Any coach suspected of unethical practices in the STHFL will
be put under review by the Commissioner’s office. The
Commissioner is empowered to take any action or no action
regarding any league member, in the Commissioner’s sole and
absolute discretion.
B.
Situations that could result for a Commissioner’s reviews
include, but are not limited to:
1.
Grossly excessive attempts, above their real-life totals, by
any player.
2.
Using players at incorrect positions, when other players were
available.
3.
Tampering with or suspected tampering with game or player
files.
4.
Intentionally losing games to better draft position.
5.
Making harassing statements to the League or causing
disruption or difficulties in interactions with other League
members.
6.
Scheduling a time to play an internet game, and then not being
available during the scheduled time without an adequate
excuse.
7.
Use of intentional deception in making trades.
8.
Use of any competitive tactic which is outside of the actual
game play itself.
9.Any other unethical act in the opinion of the Commissioner
or the League.
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