Powerhouse Rules and Regulations
(Amended January 14th, 2015)
1) Play sim football. This is a sim-style OD and as such, expect the game play to reflect that of real life football. Using tactics which abuse or exploit the programming in the game are not permitted. Examples include dropping back to pass beyond ~10 yards, calling pass plays with the sole purpose of running with the quarterback or manipulating defenders alignments to confuse blocking and create a nano blitz. If you have any questions about what is and is not sim football, ask.(Amended January 14th, 2015)
2) 4th Down Attempts
Because the game is so significantly swayed towards offensive football, we have to restrict the number and type of 4th downs users can attempt. In an effort to simplify that rule, one of the following situations must exist to attempt a 4th down:
- Ball is on or beyond opponents (+)40 and it is 4th & 3 or less
- If trailing in the 4th
- If trailing by 21+ points
- End of the Half Hail Mary
3) Chew Clock is NOT permitted at any time.
4) Run commit is NOT permitted at any time.
5) Hurry-up, no-huddle offenses are permitted at all times while the clock is running. If the clock stops for an incomplete pass or a play out of bounds in the last two minutes of each half, you are required to return to the huddle.
6) Fake punts and fake field goals are NOT permitted at any time, including extra points.
7) Do not use flat angle, cross field punts in an attempt to induce a muff or exploit the loose ball logic in the game.
8) Users are restricted to TWO manual movements of defensive players and one of those players must be the defender the user controls at the snap of the ball. This rule also applies to defensive special teams plays.
9) All defensive shifts are permitted; however, users may NOT manually move defensive linemen from their initial alignment until after the snap. That includes lateral or vertical movement.
10) A minimum of two players must rush the passer on every play, regardless of the game situation. Hot routing 10 or 11 players into coverage is NOT permitted at any time.
11) Ineligible Man Down Field. Due to the lack of an ineligible man down field penalty in the game, users are NOT permitted to throw a pass beyond the line of scrimmage when a slip screen or mid screen is called. Any pass thrown when these plays are called must be completed at or behind the line of scrimmage. This rule does not apply to any other screen types. If the screen is covered, you are permitted to scramble or throw the ball away.
12) Bubble Screen/OPI. If an errant throw leads to an offensive pass interference penalty on a bubble screen, the defensive user is REQUIRED to decline the penalty. This requirement is lifted if the offensive user intentionally throws to any receiver except the intended receiver.
13) Scoring cap is 70 points unless the CPU is within 14 points. Every effort should be made to play backups in a blowout. Users found to be running up individual statistics for post-season awards will receive one warning, followed by an immediate suspension of that player for the following game.
Offseason/Recruiting
1) You may not persuade anyone from declaring for the draft if the following apply:
- 90 overall or higher (if projected to go in the first four rounds). Any player projected to go in the first round are to be let go regardless of rating.
- Heisman Trophy winner
2) Scholarship limit is Seniors +2
3) Minimum weights for off-season position changes:
DT: 250 lbs
DE: 215 lbs
LB: 200 lbs
TE: 225 lbs
ATH: Can be assigned anywhere they are rated 60 overall or higher
Players may only be moved one position group down during position changes (DBs can move to LB, LB to DE and DE to DT but LBs cannot move to DT, etc). Players may be moved up as many groups as you want (DTs can move to LB, DE to S, etc).
Advance Schedule
The advance schedule will be posted in the weekly advance thread, but 48 hours per game week is the standard. Extensions are granted on request.
Coaching Tree
There are 4 categories in the coaching tree, 2 for the HC and 1 each for your assistants. The only part of the tree you can use is recruiting - no game management, no offensive or defensive coordinator.
Recruiting - 15 max
Game Management - none
Offensive Coordinator - none
Defensive Coordinator - none
Enforcement
As always, it is up to each individual user to enforce the rules and encourage others to do the same. The commissioner will only step in and enforce or sanction players if individual users cannot come to an agreement. Should a dispute arise, handle it professionally.