Post by Admin on Nov 27, 2023 16:34:17 GMT -6
The APFL Rulebook
SETTINGS
Game Engine: FOF8
Injury Setting: 50 (beginning with 2057 season) - (off in the pre-season)
Combine Accuracy: 50
X Factor: Off
Draft: FOF Generated - Real life names every 3/4 seasons in the Spring
Cohesion: On
Sim Days: Tue, Thur, Sat. (Check League Schedule) *Midweeks by request, unless otherwise scheduled* (Check League Schedule)
Commissioner: WilleB Assistant Commissioner: ezlee2
Members of the Board : BazookaJohnny, dthompso8
GOVERNANCE OF LEAGUE
The “APFL Rule Book” is a living document and is subject to change at any time. It is your duty to keep yourself up to date about the changes to this document. Most changes are always noted, except language adjustment. The APFL operates under the following rules with a common sense addendum. If something arises that isn't covered by the rules try to apply the common sense to the problem and always do what is best for the league as a whole. The Commissioner has the authority to act in the best interests of the league. The Commissioner shall appoint a Members of the Board (MOB)* that will assist in running the league. The MOB will consist of three GMs of the league, until they are no longer available or do not accept the job of protecting the league's longevity and history. In the Commissioner's absence, the Assistant Commissioner and the members of the MOB shall have the short term authority to act in the best interests of football, subject to ultimate confirmation or veto by the Commissioner. All powers specifically allocated to the Commissioner may be utilized by a member of the MOB in the event of a long term absence of the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner.
GM PARTICIPATION AND CONDUCT
All team GMs are expected to actively participate in the league, ensuring that all required exports, draft picks, and league votes are completed promptly. In the event of a GM's absence and inability to fulfill these obligations before a simulation, they may provide clear instructions to a Commissioner to handle the necessary actions on their behalf. Consistent failure to submit exports will result in the GM's removal from the league, and their team will be reassigned to an interested general manager. By accepting a team you are agreeing to mandatory participations in the manner of the League's conditions.
Tanking, the deliberate act of underperforming to gain a higher draft position, will not be tolerated in the league. This unethical practice undermines the integrity of the game and will lead to the offending GM's expulsion. However, playing young players for evaluation purposes when a competitive season is no longer attainable is acceptable. The APFL upholds strict principles of fairness. If a game engine flaw allows a GM to circumvent normal simulation restrictions, they are expected to refrain from exploiting such a flaw. Any attempt to gain an unfair advantage through unethical means will result in fines, loss of draft picks, and possible expulsion from the league. This includes, but not limited to Defensive Coordinator front bug (aka 43 running 34), player position switching and using them in other formations exploit, just to be edited out at export.
In the temporary absence of a human GM, the Commissioner will assume control of the team, either by placing it under computer control or making necessary moves, until a new GM is identified. No GM outside of the two involved in a transaction may comment in the trade thread UNTIL after both GMs have confirmed the deal. Any comments made that could hinder the transaction will result in fines or loss of a draft pick at the discretion of the Commissioner. Once both parties confirm the transaction you are free to say what you wish,but the bashing of a fellow GM will not be allowed. GMs are not permitted to negatively comment on a trade block about the players posted. This will not be tolerated and GMs that violate this rule will be subject to discipline from the league office including up to a loss of draft pick and or expulsion from the league.
At the conclusion of every season, there will be a Roll Call. Posting in the Roll Call by the deadline is ^mandatory^. GMs that fail to do so are subject to being replaced without warning. Roll Call, and most Polls, will be in a Google Doc or on Discord going forward for all participants. Check daily for news updates/announcements from the Admin or Commish.
New GMs are required to submit their own playbooks. Failure to submit a playbook during the training camp stage will require an AI stage to make one for you during your season.
*This does not apply when taking over a club (in-season), but during the following off-season, this rule will apply.
^Important^ - Mandatory participation is not limited to the forum. Our Discord Channel (fastest communication) may be required by all GMs as notified here and doesn't need to be repeated each season. Failure of a vote here or on Discord, is a nay/forfeit vote after the required deadline.
TRANSACTIONS
The APFL trade deadline is the midweek entering Week 10. All trades must be posted in the completed trades on the forum and be confirmed by both GMs before they will be processed. The Commissioner reserves the right to intervene in any trade deemed detrimental to the overall integrity and competitiveness of the league. This authority is particularly relevant in trades involving draft picks, as such transactions can significantly impact a team's future prospects. The Commissioner's objective is to prevent General Managers from engaging in practices that could jeopardize the long-term viability of a team, especially in situations where a new GM may need to be appointed.* Trades that put a team over the salary cap will not be processed. Draft picks are valuable assets that can be used to select promising young players or traded to other teams to strengthen the roster. Teams have the flexibility to negotiate trades at any time before and during the draft. These trades can involve swapping draft picks, exchanging current APFL players, or a combination of both. Drafted players remain eligible for trades until the conclusion of the draft, when all selections are officially entered into the game system.
*Disclaimer: This is highly unlikely as the league believes that GMs should run their team as they see fit, but it is possible. No trading with non-human owned teams allowed. Off-season trades will the processes when post parties have posted. During the season, trades will be processed after the sim, unless posted as such by all parties. A trade cannot be cancelled after confirmation of both parties, unless both agree. Once a trade is processed, it will not be cancelled unless there was a problem with league processing. Free agents can not be traded in the same season in which they were signed as a free agent. Picks not currently in the game, can/will not be traded or negotiated. Conditional trades are not currently allowed.
ASSIGNING DRAFT PICKS
Currently, each of the 32 clubs receives one pick in each of the seven rounds of the APFL Draft. The order is determined by the FOF8 game engine.
INJURY SETTLEMENT
If a player who has multiple seasons left in his contract has a major (over 30 weeks) injury, the GM may request that the commish manually release the player in question. This will be a release and not a void. The player will receive an injury settlement as determined by the game.
DRAFT RULES AND PROCESS
The APFL Draft takes place over approx. 5-7 days. Every GM must register for the draft and be present or there are consequences. More details can be found here - Draft Rules Private Post
The draft is held in the offseason, and it will be run simultaneously with the end of the first FA period using the "Conscriptor" created by J. David Baker and modified by WheelsVT.
*Important* - It's each GM's responsibility to understand how the utility works before the draft.
SALARY CAP
Each team MUST be under the league salary cap when Regular Season Week 1 is simmed. Failure to do so will result in league mandated cuts and a possible loss of draft pick(s). At all other points in the season, FOF's cap rules apply."
POSITIONS CHANGES
Position changes are generally expected to be approved, provided they adhere to principles of realism and fairness. Expected loss percentage not under 70. The Commissioner will audit transaction logs periodically, to ensure that position switches do not significantly harm a player's ratings. Any proposed change that raises concerns regarding its impact on a player's value will be subject to review and potential override by the Commissioner. The Commissioner reserves the right to scrutinize all position changes and take appropriate action if they deem any move to be intentionally made to diminish a player's ratings, either current or potential. Such actions could include voiding the position change and imposing sanctions on the offending GM, potentially up to and including dismissal from the league.
ROSTERS
All APFL GMs must adhere to the following roster rules and regulations:
- During the regular season and playoffs, teams can have a maximum of 53^ signed players.
- During the off season, teams can have a maximum of 70^ signed players on their roster before the exhibition season.
- During the exhibition season, teams can have a maximum of 60^ players on their roster.
^Players on injured reserve do not count towards the signed roster limit. Suspended players do count towards the signed roster (limit at this time).
Teams that exceed the roster limits at any time will be subject to mandatory cuts by the league and player contracts will not be voided due to roster violations, after your warning. Repeat violations of roster limits may result in fines, loss of draft picks, or expulsion from the league. Those players will be released, not voided. GMs are not permitted to release and then immediately re-sign a player during the same stage of the game. If a GM releases a player, they must wait until the next game week or offseason stage to re-sign them. GMs must export a legal roster before each game. Failure to do so may result in their team's roster being adjusted according to the recommendations of the league's scouts and coaches. By adhering to these roster rules and regulations, GMs ensure that the APFL maintains a competitive and fair playing field for all teams.
RELOCATION AND TEAM SWAPPING
No team may submit a request to move to a different city for any reason without the express permission of the League Office. Failure to comply with this rule may result in the GM being replaced and the team being moved back to its original city. The only way for a team to change cities is if the corresponding NFL team has relocated to that city. This is in line with the APFL's goal of replicating the NFL as closely as possible.
GMs may petition the League Office to move to a new city to improve stadium conditions. However, to be eligible for relocation, the team's stadium turf must be rated as "Fair" or worse in the FOF8 game. Prior to submitting a relocation request, the franchise must have attempted to conduct renovation construction on its existing stadium a minimum of three times. After three renovation attempts, the team may contact the League Office to initiate the relocation process for the following season. Failure to follow this step may result in league penalties, fines, and a delay in the relocation process. If approved, a team can be moved. However, it is important to note that this is a facade move within the game and does not affect the franchise's traditional name. The League Office retains the final authority on all relocation requests and may offer alternative suggestions (such as City) before granting approval. If a GM relocates a franchise and decides to leave the league before the new relocation lease expires (15 seasons), they will not be permitted to return to the APFL as a GM until the lease term has been fulfilled. No exceptions!
---wb