HIFL LEAGUE RULES

[Talon]

Here are all the vital rules of the HIFL.  All Rules are Subject to Change and Moderator Discretion.


BE SURE TO CHECK FOR AMENDED AND UPDATED RULES THROUGHOUT THE RULES BOARDS

[Talon]

PREFACE

If you have never played a game like this before, here is a quick introduction to the game and how it functions.

TL:DR -- "Its like DND meets Football."

Firstly, this genre of games is a sports management simulation, in which you the player are acting as a team's general manager / Head Coach.  You have a boss (the owner of the team) and you have employees (coaches and players).  In this game you must balance keeping your coaches and players happy, while making the moves necessary to achieve goals set for you by your teams owner.

How do you play?  It's simple.  Join a team during the off-season and begin assembling the roster how you see fit.  Interview coaches and decide who would be the best fit to be your Head Coach and then find your Assistant Coaches (Offensive and Defensive Coordinator).  Once you've signed your coaches to a contract you will begin either scouting, drafting, or signing players.
Scouting is a process in which your assistant coaches will give you a short evaluation of a players talents and how they will or won't fit in with your team.  Any player who is a free agent (without contract for another team) can be negotiated with (via their agent) to sign with your team, and you may also draft rookie players out of the amateur draft. Any players undrafted will then become free agents.

In this game all you do is interact.  You talk with coaches, you talk with agents, you talk with players, and you answer questions from the media after each "week" of game play.  Remember though, every post you make has an impact on morale, every decision you make impacts fan support and your GM reputation.  The higher your reputation, the better chance of people seeing things your way, just like in the real world.

This game is designed for you to have to make tough decisions and deal with hard times (that is where the fun of it really comes in) so when you see a new story that makes you have to think about what you will do next, or a star player wants more money than you have to offer, put your thinking cap on and see what you can do.
This game is about creativity and critical thinking more so than it is about the X's and O's of football.  Remember there is no such thing as an unwinnable situation in this game, just because you don't figure out the way out of the scenario, doesn't mean it was unwinnable.

Play the game at your own pace and have fun, that is the key!  If you get fired, wait until a new team has an opening and sign up to continue the fun in the next season! 

Also, don't be afraid to ask other players for advice!

[Talon]

-   Each franchise will consist of a 53 Man Roster you can work with. You will be responsible for setting their roles in the team as whether they are starters, reserves etc. You will also be responsible for understanding their issues and grievances and working out their contracts as well within the confines of a salary cap.

-   Each of players in the league will have a unique personality you will have to deal with.


-   The most important thing about this is having fun, but you will be required to interact with the game as well to make sure it runs smoothly.

[Talon]

1. Never edit your post.  If you do so, there will be dire consequences.  If you make a mistake, you make a mistake.

2. You have until you LOCK INfor pre-season of the season in question to be within your budget.

3. All Contracts and Expenditures must be posted in the "League Office"  thread.  Once the deal has been processed by the mod, it will be "edited" showing mod activity.

4. The First Year Player Draft will consist of 7 rounds (due to roster size).  You may only trade draft picks that fall within your contract as a GM. (if you have a 1 year contract, you can not trade picks for the next season's draft.  If you have a 4 year contract you can trade picks as far out as 3 seasons beyond this current draft).  TRADING FUTURE PICKS EFFECTS YOUR OWNERS VIEW OF THE JOB YOU ARE DOING

***Owners look at your trades as a way to form their opinion of you.  Even with job security, you can work your way into being fired and paid to GTFO. ***

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TRADING PLAYERS:

Teams may trade players and picks at anytime until the  Trade Deadline, after the deadline trades will not be permitted until the off-season.


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RE-SIGNING PLAYERS:

You may offer your players a contract extension at anytime during the life of their contract, this goes for players too meaning their agents may ask for new contracts at any time... it's a two-way street.

Free Agency does not begin until AFTER the playoffs concludes.





GUARANTEED CONTRACTS
- Guaranteed contracts are now the only "clause" contracts available to GMs and Players for negotiations. 
- A Fully Guaranteed Contract insures a player can not be traded, amnestied, or released without his expressed permission to waive the clause.
- A Fully Guaranteed contract means that any termination of the player will still cost the team the full salary over the life of the contract.
- Some players under current/voided No Trade/No Amnesty deals may request new Guaranteed contracts.

• Any player who is age 32 or older and elects to retire with years left on their contract will still be guaranteed their salary from the teams salary cap; however any owed bonus money in the contract will forfeited by the retiring player.
• Teams have the following options for handling a retired player with years left on their Fully Guaranteed contract.
• A.  Teams may pay the remainder of the contract over the life of the contract (example: 3 years, $12MM per season)
• B. Teams may pay the remainder of the contract at 50% over double the duration (example: 6 years, $6MM per season)
• C. Teams may pay the entire contract in one lump sum from off-season bonus money (example: $36MM from off-season BP)
• Teams must decide in the immediate off-season on their payment plan and can not change that plan once it is league officed.
• GM/Agents may agree to opt outs for retirement, but it will not be easy; if you offer long term FG's to older players, this is a risk you take and accept.
• Any player under the age of 32 that elects to retire forfeits any and all FG's.

[Talon]

PRE SEASON TASKS:


As the GM of your team, you have other responsibilities outside of player management... Each season after the draft, free agency, your undoubtedly ridiculous fury of trades, and any other business you have to attend to you will lock in for training camp.

- SEE OFF-SEASON LOCK IN TEMPLATE (using the format of the Master Depth Chart).

[Talon]

TAMPERING:


Tampering also includes:

- Talking to a players agent about a player who is under contract for that season with another team and referencing contract figures without permission from the team the player is signed to.
- Entering talks of any type with a player or coach currently signed to another team.
- Negotiating a contract directly with a player without his agent being a part of negotiations.
- Entering Contract Talks with an agent for a player prior to the legal signing period. (negotiating with UFA eligible players during RFA)

Any GM in violation of Tampering laws will be subject to a PR, Salary, and/or Draft penalty at the discretion of the Commissioner.



Filing a Claim or Complaint:

For tampering to be an issue, an involved party must file a complaint with the league office.
This could include an non-playable character filing the complaint (agent, coach, player).   

General Managers not involved in the dealings are ineligible to file complaints, unless the event takes place in a "public" thread (IE: Draft thread, Scouting Combine, etc).

(OOC: GM's not involved in these cases refers to situations where the only way the complaining GM knows of the events are via reading a team thread, which is considered NOT to be common knowledge.)

[Talon]

- Amnesty Clause
Each off season, a team may use the Amnesty clause on one player contract, terminating the deal at no cost to the team, in doing so the team accepts that they may not enter negotiations for a new contract with terminated player, nor reacquire them in trade for the next season. This clause has been introduced to help teams get out of crippling contracts for under performing players.  THE AMNESTY CLAUSE IS ONLY USABLE DURING THE OFF-SEASON 

- Injury Salary Waiver
The Injury Salary Waiver is designed to allow a team to replace a player who is put on injured reserve and recoup some of their salary if needed.  If a player is injured and placed on injured-reserve (ending their season) then the general manager may seek approval for an Injury Salary Waiver meaning that if their owner signs off of the waiver, the league will grant a salary rebate on the injured players salary, allowing the team to gain funds to sign/replace the injured player.  In character, this does not effect the salary being paid to the player, it simply gives a discount to the salary cap. 
The following applies to this rule:

• The team owner must approve this waiver (smaller market owners may not want to spend additional money)
• Teams may only submit ONE waiver per season.
• The rebated funds will count as obtained salary similar to when a team retains salary in a trade, meaning it can increase your luxury tax figure.
• The rebate will equal the same percentage of salary as if the player was released (depending on time of the season)

[Talon]

LOCKING IN FOR A REGULAR SEASON OR POST SEASON GAME

You will not be required to post all those depth charts or strategy ratios for your weekly lock in.

When you are ready, simply tell your coach the following things:


- Player Rotation (Mostly Starters, Balanced, Mostly Backups)
- Tempo (Very Slow, Slow, Normal, Fast, Very Fast)
- Any depth chart or strategy changes you decide to make

(if you aren't sure how to do this, PM ME!)

IF YOU DO NOT INCLUDE A PLANNED/DESIRED CHANGE IN THE FINAL LOCK IN POST IT IS NOT GUARANTEED TO BE IMPLIMENTED!

[Talon]

LEAGUE CALENDAR

OFF-SEASON
- Expiring Coach and Restricted Free Agency
- Rookie Combine
- Rookie Draft
- Unrestricted Free Agency
LOCK IN

PRESEASON
- Mini Camp Results (specialized training)
- Training Camp Results (all players)
- Preseason Game Instructions
LOCK IN


REGULAR SEASON
- Normal Gameplay
- Normal Scouting / Scouting Trips
- Trade Deadline Week 12


POST SEASON / END OF SEASON
- Normal Gameplay for Postseason teams
- Other teams conduct final business and LOCK IN for offseason

[Talon]

DRAFT RULES:

1. All GM's MUST submit a proxy list if they have a pick within the next 32 picks.  If you do not have an active proxy list then I will randomly select a player for your team and it will be up to you whether or not you sign them!

2.Rounds 1-3 will have a 24 hour time limit. Rounds 4-7 will have a 12 hour time limit. If you do not make a selection within the allotted time, your top listed proxy player will be taken.  Again, if you do not have a proxy list updated then you will have a player randomly selected immediately (no deadline needed).

3. Do not send proxy lists to ANY other GM, only to me.  Proxy picks by other GM's will not be counted and you will forfeit your draft pick immediately, as will the proxy picking GM who makes the post. (GM making the pick for you will be treated as making a pick out of turn.)

4. Drafting out of turn will result in a league fine AND forfeiture of the draft pick in question.

5. The rookie wage scale determines a players contract but the GM may elect to choose how the contract is structured between cap and bonus money.

ALL GM'S MUST HAVE THEIR PROXY LISTS BUILT BY THE START OF THE DRAFT OR FACE CONSEQUENCES.

[Talon]

REGULAR SEASON MEDIA RELATIONS

During the regular season you will not be bored with weekly lists of questions.  Instead, when your thread unlocks you will give your weekly press conference, start out with whatever you want to say.  if the media has further questions then they will ask you after you finish your initial statements.

DO NOT APPROACH YOUR COACH (OR ANYONE ELSE) FIRST!

If you irritate your media group then you risk losing fan support due to the bad articles the local/national press may write about you due to your attitude and/or behavior.

Failure to post your press conference in a timely fashion will result in a 24 hour warning, if the 24 hour warning expires then you will be fined from your bonus pool budget.

[Talon]

Clarification on Roster and Salary limits and caps.


At NO TIME during the pre-season, regular season, or post-season may your team be over the maximum roster limit of 53 players on the active roster or exceed the predetermined salary cap.

[Talon]

In an effort to avoid any future blow ups:

This is a game, a game I made from scratch, so from time to time a rule may be overlooked or implied. 

If you do not trust me to run the game fairly, I kindly ask you to respectfully bow out and not play.  I like to think that we are all friends and we all trust each other not to cheat, or for me to show favor beyond the favor of certain characters towards others.

The league office is unbiased and while I do not mind in character opposition to the league office, I ask that you respect me and my mod style/decision whether its for or against your team.

I can implement an 'unwritten rule' or spawn a rule due to a need for it (see tampering and/or suspensions for multiple personal fouls etc)
The "rules" of the HIFL and the structural rules for how we play the game as GMs and the Mod are not the same. 

Thank you for your understanding and trust.

[Talon]

Injured/Reserve (IR) Rule Clarification

- Any player listed on your injury report may be moved to the Injured/Reserve list.

- Moving a player to IR ends their season and makes them unavailable to join the active roster until the next season.

- Moving a player to the IR opens a roster spot.

- Moving a player to the IR DOES NOT move their salary or PR off of your books.

[Talon]

COACHING SALARY CLARIFICATION


Releasing/Firing A Coach/Coordinator is the same as a player.

[Talon]

SPECIAL TRAINING FOCUS


New addition to the sim that I am going to open up to you guys to utilize and it will be added to the lock-in template for future seasons.

You are allowed to assign one player to receive additional attention/focus from your head coach and each coordinator.  I am not sure how much it will add to the player, but it will provide extra progression especially if your coach is good and your player has a high ceiling.

All you have to do is PM me the following with the name of the player that you want the coach to spend more time on.


EXAMPLE:

Head Coach - DE Dale White

Offensive Coordinator - QB Michael Worley

Defensive Coordinator - CB Raleigh Montgomery

Code Select Expand

Head Coach -

Offensive Coordinator -

Defensive Coordinator -


I will not be providing a progress report or anything, if the sim does produce extra information I will update you but most likely it does not, it just gives the additional boost to your player.

You CAN have your HC and coordinator focus on the same player, not sure how much it helps (again this is a new feature).

I am going to allow a mid-season change if you want to shift focus to another player, but this will not be a weekly change or anything, so choose wisely.

[Talon]

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
PLAYER REPOSITIONING AND POSITIONAL TRAINING

During the off-season

- $250K to reposition a player (includes positional training)

- $250K positional training (specify which position to be trained [QB, RB, FB, TE, WR, T, G, C, DE, DT, LB, CB, FS, SS, K, P] and each position is its own $250K charge)

- You may also select Position Training as a mini-camp task (but only at the players listed position)


During the regular season

- $100K to reposition a player (positional training not included)

- $250K positional training (specify which position to be trained [QB, RB, FB, TE, WR, T, G, C, DE, DT, LB, CB, FS, SS, K, P] and each position is its own $250K charge)


You may repeat position training for the same position throughout the season, but no more than 2 times at the same position in one season.   
There is no official limit to the amount of position training you can do during the season, but remember your training is working in addition to standard practice so over working a player can result in negative impacts.

[Talon]

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
CHANGES AND LOCK IN

ANY change you want reflected in your gameplan MUST be put on your lock in post.   Even if the coach says "I'll handle it" that means post it in the lock in so that I can remember to do the change without having to scroll and re-read your team sheet.

ANYTHING not on your lock in post will be ignored and your prior lock in format will be repeated.

[Talon]

CURRENT ROSTER MINIMUMS / REQUIREMENTS

Roster Requirements

Starting Season 13 all teams must field the following in regards to position minimums.

OFFENSE (10)
1 QB
1 RB
0 FB
0 TE
3 WR
2 OG
2 OT
1 OC

DEFENSE (13)
2 DT
2 DE
4 LB
3 CB
1 SS
1 FS

SPECIAL TEAMS (0)
0 K
0 P



IN ADDITION TO THE 23 MANDATORY POSITIONS THAT MUST BE FILLED TEAMS MUST FIELD A FULL 53 MAN ROSTER AT ALL TIMES ONCE THE SEASON BEGINS (YOU CAN NOT LOCK IN WITH EMPTY ROSTER SPOTS UNLESS FORCED TO FORFEIT A ROSTER SPOT VIA LEAGUE PENALTY)

THE REMAINING 30 POSITIONS ON YOUR ROSTER ARE COMPLETELY FLEXIBLE BUT THE LEAGUE RECOMMENDS HAVING A PUNTER AND KICKER.

[Talon]

The newest version of the team sheets will once again feature the following information:

Player Age, XP, Height, and Weight

There will also be colors on certain contracts, they represent the following.

Expiring Contract This player is in the final year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) when the off-season begins.

4th Year / Rookie Option Contract Contract has an option (per 1st round draft rules) meaning when the contract expires the team may pick up an additional year with a pay raise based on the rookie wage scale for that season.

Fully Guaranteed Contract FG Deals mean player can not be traded, amnestied, or released without his own express permission. Cutting a FG'd player will provide no relief to your cap or bonus.

Contract Incentives Any Contract with a wage incentive in salary or bonus (or both) stating that if a player reaches certain landmarks they will earn more money.

Contract Option Contract that has some sort of option in the contract to add or subtract years at the same or a different value. (Can be Player, GM, or mutual options)

[Talon]

TEAM STRATEGY AND PHILOSOPHY

Updated for S17



OFFENSE:

Attitude:  (Conservative, Balanced, Aggressive)

Focus: (Run, Balanced, Pass)

Tempo: (Very Slow, Slow, Normal, Fast, Very Fast)

Passing Preference: (Short, Medium, Long, Balanced)

Pass Target Area: (Balanced, Outside, Over the Middle, Running Backs, Tight End)

Primary Receiver: (pick a player)

3rd Down Running Back: (which receiver plays on 3rd downs)

Power Running Back: (which player runs in short yardage situations)

Running Focus: (Inside, Outside, Power, Spread, Draw, Balanced)

Running Back Role: (Running, Blocking, Catching, Mixed)

RB Committee: (yes or no)

Tight End Role: (Blocking, Catching, Mixed)

QB Scrambling: (Never, Rarely, Normal, Often)


DEFENSE:

Defensive Play Caller: (Head Coach or Defensive Coordinator)

Attitude: (Conservative, Balanced, Aggressive)

Focus: (Run, Balanced, Pass)

Primary Coverage: (Zone, Mixed, Man)

Defensive Line Focus: (Run Support, Balanced, Pass Rush)

Linebacker Focus: (Attacking, Balanced, Coverage)

Player Radio: (pick a player who is responsible for relaying play calls and making defensive adjustments - IQ is important)

Match CB to WR:  (Choose yes or no to have your defensive alignment show man coverage. IE: If a team runs a 3 WR set and you are in a 4-3, linebackers line up spread with the receiver if covering him vs staying in his "position" on the field)

Align Man Coverage: (None, Never, Balanced, Always)


POINT MARGIN - BACKUPS: (how much of a lead or deficit would make your coach pull most starters for back ups?)

SUBSTITUTION IN /OUT: (choose an energy level where players will be auto subbed out of the game, and then an energy level for when they will be returned to the line up once recovered)

2 MINUTES WINNING: (Run Only, Run More, None, Pass More, Pass Only)   

2 MINUTES LOSING: (Run Only, Run More, None, Pass More, Pass Only)   

COUNTER OFFENSE:    (Short Pass, Med. Pass, Long Pass, Inside Run, Outside Run, Power Run, or Coordinator's choice)

COUNTER DEFENSE:    (Zone, Man, Blitz or Coordinator's Choice)

[Talon]

FINANCIAL CHECK INS

- You will be told your current available salary and PR at:

• The Start of the Off-season
• The Start of Unrestricted Free Agency
• On Your Team Sheet to Start Pre-Season
• At Mid-season or Trade Deadline Week
Any other inquiries about your Cap Space and/or your Bonus Pool Space will be subject to a "league clarification fee" which will cost 100K from your Bonus Pool Money as your Secretary will be requesting the information from the league office to "verify."

If you have any dispute about the totals given to you, you may discuss it in thread or via PM (which will freeze your thread until it is resolved) at no charge, but in order to do so, you will need to provide me with your sheet/math so I can see where you are wrong or if I had made a mistake.  ...if you don't keep up with your own finances, I am not going to be doing all of the ground work to help you resolve a dispute.   ...In the end, MY WORD is final, period.

[Talon]

AS OF THIS EXACT INSTANT IN TIME/SPACE

I am not responsible for keeping up with your contract offers.  I have been bombarded with PMs since this off-season has started with people needing me to confirm the contracts THEY offered.

You need to go into your profile settings and be sure that YOU set the boards to SAVE YOUR PM'S! Also consider a google doc or PMing yourself as a BCC or CC in your PM's to me.

If you do not know the offer you made, clearly you didn't need to make it.  This goes into affect now.  If you submit a deal that is for less than it is supposed to be there will be consequences in the game thread, so be careful and keep track of your own stuff!

[Talon]

Due to the high volume of trades being made with conditional picks involved, you MUST post the final verdict of the trade again in the League Office when the condition is met.

EX: if Team A is set to give a 3rd if a player signs, or a 1st if he doesnt, once the player decides to sign or not, TEAM A and B must rewrite the trade in the TD and LO threads.

[Talon]

RESULT OF A BOTCHED TRADE

General Managers will be held accountable for any and all trades they conduct.

The league will no longer simply void a trade that involves a draft pick or player that is no longer on the teams roster and/or in the teams possession.

A team that trades a draft pick or player away without having said asset in its possession will be penalized with a minimum fine of $1MM in PR as well as potential loss of future draft pick(s) based on the severity of the infraction.

A team trading FOR a player or draft pick that is not in the trading teams possession will not receive a return on its investment.  It will be up to the trading teams to do their own homework before finalizing any deal.

Starting S17, a botched trade will result in any/all parties involved in the trade being fined.


if you are trading away your draft choices and future picks, then you should be able to keep track of those moves yourself.  If you are looking to trade for a pick, you can use the League Office thread to search for the pick/player in question and find if they have been moved. (click PRINT) to put all posts on one post, and then use CTL+F to find the player or pick you are looking for.


IF A TEAM CONDUCTS A TRADE WITHOUT GETTING THE APPROVAL OF A PLAYER WHO HAS A FULL GUARANTEE IN HIS CONTRACT, BOTH TEAMS WILL BE FINED $1MM IN BONUS MONEY AS A BASE PENALTY ON TOP OF ANYTHING ELSE.

[Talon]

There are many forms of proxy lists.

I've had everything from

If player A is taken, take player B.

If we take player B, then do not take players D, E, or G but definitely take player C if he is available.

to

if I'm up tonight, take Player X.

Those are all fine, but by building a functional and detailed proxy list you can rest easy knowing the draft will not stall on your watch.

Check out this template made by Jon to explain how he does his (which is one of my preferred templates)

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17vasx-B5lpjUAExNIJ2gyY_KEDagrDeEtE_G5KeShyg/edit?ts=5e51da72#gid=920083928

[Talon]

What is the Luxury Tax?
The Luxury Tax is a system for competitive balance assurance, used as a way to insure teams do not abuse the rules that allow other teams to pay the salary of a traded player.  The Luxury Tax penalizes an organization for exceeding the current Salary Cap with subsidized funds from other teams by charging the violating team(s) a percentage of their excess spending from their PR fund.


How does the Luxury Tax Work?
Luxury Tax
Tiered Tax System
A team who has another team retain salary for them via trade will be subject to the new tiered tax system starting next off-season.   If your retained salary falls within these ranges, you will pay that fee for your first year over the tax.
Each consecutive season you are over the tax threshold, you move up one tier on the tax bracket.

Tier 1 - $1-$9.99MM - 25%
Tier 2 - $10MM- $19.99MM - 35%
Tier 3 - $20MM-49.99MM - 50%
Tier 4 - $50MM+ - 100%

Example: if you are a tier 2 tax payer season 1 and in season 2 you have only 5MM in taxable salary, you would still be in the tier 2 tax bracket for season 2.

If you are a tier 2 tax payer in season 1 and in season 2 you have $12MM in taxable salary, you are now in the tier 3 tax bracket.

If a team does not have the PR in their budget to pay this tax, it will be treated as a PR cap violation which will come with the same punishment and penalties as prior PR violations. (a $5MM fine for the current season and the next, and loss of a draft pick).


Who does the Luxury Tax Apply To?
Any team that has a credit to their salary cap via trade.   If a team has balanced their books by subsidizing salary to a team and having salary subsidized by another team, then the difference is what will be taxed.


PAYING THE LUXURY TAX

You may pay your luxury tax bill early via Off-season PR if you have the funds, or it will be taxed from your next-season PR fund at the start of the season.

RETAINING SALARY IN THE LEAGUE OFFICE

You must post specific numbers of salary being retained in trades by each party.  DO YOUR OWN MATH!

[Talon]

EXERCISING OR DECLINED 4th YEAR ROOKIE OPTIONS FIND A GUIDE TO THE COST FOR YOUR ROOKIES HERE!

Any player drafted in the first round and still on his original rookie contract has the 4th Year Team Option included in his contract (magenta color on your team sheet).  If that player is in their year of their rookie contract, then you have the option to pick up their 4th year option, but there is a deadline to make that decision.


REMEMBER:  The 4th Year option is an additional season at the players current contracted rates PLUS an additional pay raise to their salary based on their draft position and that years rookie wage scale.  The 4th year option may be paid in any format as long as the salary to bonus ratio is within the league's rules. (Bonus may not exceed 50% of the salary).

DEADLINE: Teams have from Week 1 of the regular season until they lock in on the week of the trade deadline (Week 12) to exercise the 4th year option on a player in their contract year.  If you do not submit to the league office your decision to pick up the 4th year option (with a detailed breakdown of the salary and bonus) then the option will be forfeited and the player(s) in question will be set for unrestricted free agency after the season concludes.

[Talon]

TRADING INJURED PLAYERS

Effective immediately (Season 14, Week 8) the following rules and penalties have been officially agreed upon with regards to trading players who are on the injured list.


- No player who is listed as OUT, Doubtful, or Questionable is eligible to be traded (players listed as probable may be traded)
- Any trade made involving an ineligible injured player (as explained above) is immediately cancelled with all players/assets returning to their original teams other than the injured played.
- A player "may" agree to a trade while injured if player/agent agree to the move prior (this will be a rare occurrence)
- Any team trading away an injured player (as detailed above) will be immediately fined $1MM to bonus + $3MM bonus the following season
- Any team trading for an injured player (as detailed above) is also fined $1MM Bonus +$3MM bonus the following season
- The injured player being traded is immediately made a free agent, eligible to sign anywhere and the two teams involved in the trade will each pay half of his remaining salary and bonus money for the life of the contract.

Any salary cap or bonus cap violations incurred as a result of these penalties will result in normal cap violation penalties, leaving the potential for a massive snowball in penalties that will likely result in the firing of the General Manager(s)

[Talon]

CUTTING PLAYERS:

Cutting players comes with a buyout.  Any player released by their parent club (unless otherwise specified) are to be paid a minimum portion of their salary for the current season, PLUS an additional 50% of their salary in each remaining season of the contract.

Week 1-6: Cut w/o waiver claim = 25% salary owed + 50% for life of deal
Week 7-12: Cut w/o waiver claim = 50% salary owed + 50% for life of deal
Week 13-17: Cut w/o waiver claim = 75% salary owed + 50% for life of deal

[Talon]

RULE CLARIFICATION

Because it may have been lost on the website crossover.

YOU MAY NOT TRADE OR ACQUIRE BONUS MONEY DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.

Teams may retain salary or bonus money from a contract in a trade but may not outright trade bonus money during the regular season for competitive balance.

In the offseason, Off-season bonus money may be traded at anytime.

[Talon]

UPDATES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY


Patreon Updates

• Once Submitted to me (via PM or Discord DM)  your patreon perks/scouting/selections are locked in.  You may not message me to change them if you change your mind, please be sure when you submit that you are happy with your choices.
• Patreon results (if applicable) will be completed and sent out NET30 If you are submitting something that needs to be returned immediately, I recommend using bonus money to scout and to DM me that you need it by whatever deadline if it is indeed time sensitive (trade based, during free agency etc).  Any scouting or actions done via patreon gives me 30 days from the date submitted.
• If you have not submitted your patreon choices by the 5th of the following month, then you are waiving your right to the perks.  I know some of you are patreon subs simply to support my work and time and I greatly appreciate that, but I want to add this stipulation so that I don't get bombed with 6 months of unused patreon scouting all at one time.  If you would like to convert unused patreon perks into future usage, I can/will explore options and we can discuss it.   If you need more time I am always there to work with you, but if you just let things go without communicating I will assume you didn't want to use the perks.
• Unused patreon perks may be used as raffle/prizes for board games/events for fun (predictions etc)

Trading draft picks during your final season under contract

The old rule was always that your owner "may" grant you permission to trade picks when you're in your final season under contract, but as of now I am amending that policy.

• GM's will NOT be allowed to trade their team's first round draft pick in their final season under contract.


• Teams will not be permitted to trade their team's consecutive round draft picks when in their final season under contract.

In summary, if you are in the final year of your contract, you can trade draft picks, but you can not trade your first, and you can not trade back to back picks (2nd/3rd, 3rd/4th, 4th/5th etc etc)  if you have multiple picks in a round via previous trades you may trade them as you please, including first rounders (but NEVER your own)



Trading with the CPU Teams

Outside of trade deadline week, the CPU teams will not listen to offers on players.  The only way you will be able to trade with the CPU prior to the week of the trade deadline will be if the CPU team initiates contact with an offer of their own, you may then reply and counter etc.

[Talon]

UPDATES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY


PFL / HIFL RELATIONS

From this moment forward, it will be illegal for PFL or HIFL clubs to negotiate with or sign players currently under contract with a team in the opposite league.  The PFL will under no circumstances acknowledge a contract between a contracted HIFL player and a PFL team.

The HIFL will not acknowledge or allow contracts to be signed by currently signed PFL players to a HIFL club.

Any GM that attempts to negotiate with or sign a player currently under contract with the PFL will be assessed a $3MM tampering fine and have the contract voided (if it is submitted to the league office).   If a GM repeats the infraction again during the same season the penalty will double for each infraction. (2nd offense results in a $6MM fine, the 3rd offense would result in a $12MM fine, etc)


The only time a player contracted to a HIFL club can join the PFL while still under contract or a PFL contracted player can join a HIFL club while under contract will be during The Interleague Transfer Window which will be established in the off-season.  This period of time will be the only time HIFL and PFL GMs can negotiate to trade players or acquire a contracted player in exchange for off-season bonus money.  This period will be explained in greater detail in the off-season.

HIFL GM's should have NO INTERACTION with PFL personnel of any kind outside of the Interleague Transfer Window at the risk of penalty from the HIFL League Office.

[Talon]

UPDATES EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Off-Season Bonus Money will now longer expire after the draft.   Off-Season bonus money will be usable for the entire off-season from the end of the Impact Bowl until the lock in for Training Camp. 


This will allow greater flexibility with trading, scouting, and offering signing bonuses during free agency.

[Talon]

TEAM STRATEGY AND PHILOSOPHY

Updated for S17



OFFENSE:

Attitude:  (Conservative, Balanced, Aggressive)

Focus: (Run, Balanced, Pass)

Tempo: (Very Slow, Slow, Normal, Fast, Very Fast)

Passing Preference: (Short, Medium, Long, Balanced)

Pass Target Area: (Balanced, Outside, Over the Middle, Running Backs, Tight End)

Primary Receiver: (pick a player)

3rd Down Running Back: (which receiver plays on 3rd downs)

Power Running Back: (which player runs in short yardage situations)

Running Focus: (Inside, Outside, Power, Spread, Draw, Balanced)

Running Back Role: (Running, Blocking, Catching, Mixed)

RB Committee: (yes or no)

Tight End Role: (Blocking, Catching, Mixed)

QB Scrambling: (Never, Rarely, Normal, Often)



DEFENSE:

Defensive Play Caller: (Head Coach or Defensive Coordinator)

Attitude: (Conservative, Balanced, Aggressive)

Focus: (Run, Balanced, Pass)

Primary Coverage: (Zone, Mixed, Man)

Defensive Line Focus: (Run Support, Balanced, Pass Rush)

Linebacker Focus: (Attacking, Balanced, Coverage)

Player Radio: (pick a player who is responsible for relaying play calls and making defensive adjustments - IQ is important)

Match CB to WR:  (Choose yes or no to have your defensive alignment show man coverage. IE: If a team runs a 3 WR set and you are in a 4-3, linebackers line up spread with the receiver if covering him vs staying in his "position" on the field)

Align Man Coverage: (None, Never, Balanced, Always)



POINT MARGIN - BACKUPS: (how much of a lead or deficit would make your coach pull most starters for back ups?)

SUBSTITUTION IN /OUT: (choose an energy level where players will be auto subbed out of the game, and then an energy level for when they will be returned to the line up once recovered)

2 MINUTES WINNING: (Run Only, Run More, None, Pass More, Pass Only)   

2 MINUTES LOSING: (Run Only, Run More, None, Pass More, Pass Only)   

COUNTER OFFENSE:    (Short Pass, Med. Pass, Long Pass, Inside Run, Outside Run, Power Run, or Coordinator's choice)

COUNTER DEFENSE:    (Zone, Man, Blitz or Coordinator's Choice)

[Talon]

The time has finally come. 

The coaching staffs are expanding to new levels and the mechanics behind those changes are finally ready to be announced!
(really doing it early so you guys can not ask questions that wont matter, lol)

Starting Season 16 coaching staffs will be expanded to a 15 person coaching staff which will consist of the following:

Head Coach (same HC duties as well as selecting the following assistants)
- Assistant Head Coach (an additional coach with a specialty in line with what the HC feels the team needs)
- Strength and Conditioning Coach (effects conditioning, injuries, and recovery time)
- Quality Control Coach (effects off-field and personality issues)
- Special Teams Coordinator (kicker, punter, and kick return attributes)

Offensive Coordinator (same OC duties, possibly play calling, game planning etc)
- QB Coach (develops QBs)
- RB Coach (develops RBs)
- OL Coach (develops O-Line)
- WR/TE Coach (develops pass catchers)

Defensive Coordinator (same DC duties, possibly play calling, game planning etc)
- Run Defense Coach (DL/LB run defense development)
- Pass Rush Coach (DL/LB pass rushing development)
- Linebacker Coach (develops LBs)
- Secondary Coach (develops CBs and Safeties)


How Hiring and Budgeting Will Work

Head Coaches will continue to negotiate with GM's for contracts..  After that, the GM will delegate a coaching staff budget from the teams bonus money and the HC will fill out their coaching staff.   All NON-HC positions will be 1-year commitments and nothing more. (the other 14 positions on your staff are 1-year deals at all times, only the head coach will sign a multi-year deal).

The more money you commit to the budget, the more likely your HC is to hire high quality coaches.  HC's stats will also effect who and how they select their staffs.

A Terrible HC may spend elite coaching money on an awful staff; an elite HC might be able to put together a respectable staff with a lower budget;   MAYBE.


This mechanic is to also put some responsibility on the HC so that it is not all the GM's fault if a staff isn't great; leaving room to fire coaches or have the coach fire staff members to try to shake things up etc.

More as the mechanic develops.

[Talon]

THE FOLLOWING GOES INTO EFFECT S16/17 OFFSEASON UNTIL THE START OF THE S18/19 OFFSEASON

• Salary Cap: $270MM
• Bonus Cap: $60MM
• Salary Cap Minimum: 90% / $243MM
• Max Contract Value: $40.5MM
• Super Max Contract Value: $45.9MM
• Veteran Minimum: $1MM
• UDFA Salary: $500K
• Rookie Wage Scale: See New Values Below
• Amnesty: Original Amnesty still remains
• Retain Salary and bonus: Can Only Retain Salary or bonus when maxed out against the salary cap (can not have cap retained by another team, while your team still has cap room after the trade)
• Maximum Retained: No Limit
• Maximum Supplemented: No Limit
• 50% Remaining Salary Cap converts to either off-season bonus or IBP (GM's choice)
• Trade Deadline Moved to Week 12

MISC HIFL RULE CHANGES OR UPDATES

• Teams Must maintain 53 Man Roster at all times from Training Camp through Impact Bowl
• Restricted Free Agency has been eliminated
• The Franchise Tag has been eliminated

Salary buyout Offset
If a player is cut and passes through waivers, that player is owed a percentage of their salary via the team releasing them.  If that player signs with another team during that same season, then his contract with the new club off-sets the money being paid from the releasing club.

Example: 
Team A releases Player 1 and owes him $5MM
Team B signs Player 1 for 1 year $3MM
Team A is now only responsible for $2MM in misc. salary for the current season.


Coaching buyout offset
If a Coach is fired and signs with another team during that same season, then his contract with the new club off-sets the money being paid from the releasing club. 

NOTE: A contract of multiple years will off-set money owed across the duration of the deal if the originally terminated contract also had multiple years.


Waivers
Anytime after Training Camp until the Impact Bowl has concluded, if a player is released (or amnestied via league penalty) that player will be put on waivers. During this period (72 hours real time from when the mod acknowledges the roster move via league office edit) the other 31 franchises in the HIFL will have the opportunity to claim the player and his contract outright.   If a team claims a player and are awarded that player (see below) then they will have 24 hours to release a player on their roster to make room for the claimed player.   In claiming a player, the team commits to taking on the players entire remaining contract.

If the 72 hour period expires and no team has claimed the player, he is officially released to unrestricted free agency, and the team releasing him will owe/pay the traditional release fees.

The waiver order will be as follows:

PRE-SEASON - WEEK 2
The original draft order will decide waiver priority.  This order will not reset, so if a team makes a claim, they move to the back of the waiver order.

WEEK 3 - 17
Each week the waiver order will reset based on current standings.  The lowest rated teams will have highest priority and the highest rated teams will have the latest priority.   record ties will be determined by:
1. worst Conference Record
2. highest Points Against
3. lowest Points Scored
4. Coin Flip

PLAYOFFS
Once the playoffs start the waiver order will be based on seeding and will not reset.

In order to claim a player from the waiver wire, a GM must PM the mod during the 72 hour window declaring their team is placing a waiver claim.

If multiple teams claim a player, the waiver order will determine who wins the claim.  Teams who are not awarded a claim do not lose their waiver position.


PFL

• PFL/HIFL trade window: The stage before Unrestricted Free Agency will be when HIFL and PFL teams can make trades between clubs.
• Trades MUST BE EVEN meaning all PFL/HIFL trades must have matching total salaries.
• The PFL and HIFL will not trade rookies across leagues.
• PFL / HIFL contract honoring via trade: PFL and HIFL contracts are transferable, meaning the contract the player has in the same contract after being traded to their new team.  Prior to trading for a player, the HIFL GMs should inquire about the contract the PFL player is on before trying to trade for them.

IFAF

• HIFL/IFAF partnerships are ended immediately.  There will be no more country to team partnerships.
• Any team can invite any player to IPS from any country (more on this later)
• International Practice Squad expands to 5 player slots
• For S16/17 Off-season: All IFAF players will have a posting fee from their home club, players from IPS will give first right to sign to their IPS club from S16
• Starting S17/18 Off-season: Players 24 and under who want to play in the HIFL must declare for the HIFL draft (no posting fee, but they will enter the draft pool)
• All Players 25 and older will have a posting fee designated by their home club. That fee must be paid after teams agree to a contract with a IFAF player.

SEASON 17 ROOKIE WAGE SCALE

ROUND 1: - 3 year contract (4th year team option)
1st pick - $8MM (4th yr option +6MM)
2nd - 5th - $7MM (4th yr option +5MM)
6th- 10th - $7MM (4th yr option +4MM)
11th - 16th - $6MM  (4th yr option + 4MM)
16th - 21st - $6MM (4th yr option + 3.5MM)
22nd - 32nd - $5MM (4th yr option + 3MM)


ROUND 2: - 3 year Contract
1st - 16th - $4MM
17th - 32nd - $3.5MM


ROUND 3: - 3 year Contract
1st - 16th - $3MM
17th - 32nd - $2.50MM


ROUND 4: - 3 year Contract
1st - 16th - $2MM
17th - 32nd - $1.5MM


ROUND 5: - 2 year Contract
1st - 16th - $1.25MM
17th - 32nd - $1MM


ROUND 6: - 2 year Contract (year 2 team option at $1MM)
1st - 16th - $900K
17th - 32nd - $850K


ROUND 7: - 2 year Contract (year 2 team option at $1MM)
1st - 16th - $800K
17th - 32nd - $750K


CLARIFICATIONS:

-  IFAF contracting has been simplified.  no more "under a certain age costs against your IFAF cap"  only costs from your IBP is posting fees. 
- no more "9 years XP means no posting fees" all players that are not forced into the HIFL draft from IFAF will have a posting fee.


- All old contracts are grandfathered.  So a 750K or 350K contract or anything below the new vet and rookie minimums will NOT have to be upgraded UNLESS the player demands it.  Then it is between you and the player/agent to be satisfied, negotiate how you see fit but be warned hold outs are a possibility.


Further IFAF clarification:

- The IFAF "hometown discount" is no longer a thing.  You will only receive a discount on posting fees if the player spent the season on your IPS that year.

If a player was on your IPS you only have to pay 50% of the posting fee, if you agree to a deal with that player.   Other teams can still negotiate but the player will have a bias towards you after spending the IPS period with your club. 

Trying to streamline the IFAF system where it is effective without the extra clutter.  I want to encourage all teams to explore the IFAF pool and do their homework without having to draw from only one club.


EXPANDED ROSTERS


The new rule will allow teams to lock in for training camp with a new maximum roster size of 60.

During pre-season games, teams will be limited to a 53 man active roster with any remaining players being inactive, those inactive players will be at the discretion of the GM, but will allow star players or injured players to sit out without taking up a roster spot on game day.

At the end of pre-season, prior to locking in for week 1 of the regular season, teams will be forced to trim their rosters down to 53, however any player cut during the week one trim-down period will have special rules attached to them to help with roster flexibility.

Any player released during the week 1 trim down period will be paid 10% of their contract salary for the current season and 50% of their contract for the remainder of the contract unless otherwise specified in the language of their contract.

Any player on a one year rookie minimum or one/final year veteran minimum contract will not count against the teams salary cap at all (100% off the books).

Any player released during this period will still be subject to the newly imposed waiver wire but upon clearing waivers would only cost against the cap in the ways mentioned above.


CLARIFICATION TO EXPANDED ROSTER / 10% SALARY CUT RULES.

The ONLY time the new cut-price rules apply are during the week 1 period BEFORE you lock in for week 1.

Any releases done during pre-season (prior to locking in for pre-season games) is a standard 50% salary cap hit release.

[/list]

[Talon]

CLARIFICATION RE: LEAGUE OFFICE POSTS

A Contract Extension MUST specify which season it goes into effect.

The following is an example of contracts that will go into effect IMMEDIATELY:

Team A signs Player X to the following Contract:
3 years, $5MM + $2MM Bonus

The above example says that the player has been signed to a current-season deal.

Team A signs Player X to the following Contract Extension:
3 years, $5MM + 2MM bonus

The above example says the player has signed a longer contract, but the financial numbers kick in immediately to override his current contract.

Team A signs Player X to a new 5 year deal worth $5MM and $2MM bonus

This deal says the players new contract goes into effect immediately.



YOU MUST SPECIFIY THE CONTRACT GOES INTO EFFECT IN THE FOLLOWING SEASON.

Examples of proper "next season" contracts.

Team A signs Player X to the following Contract:
3 years, $5MM + $2MM Bonus  - Starting next Season (or Season X)

Team A signs Player X to the following Contract Extension:
3 years, $5MM + 2MM bonus starting Season X (or next season)

Starting Next Season (or Season X) Team A signs Player X to a new 5 year deal worth $5MM and $2MM bonus

[Talon]

NEW POST-DRAFT FREE AGENCY OPTIONS:
Starting S17/18 Off-season Free Agency phases will have the following options for pitches at the disposal of all teams.   These pitches range from no cost to unlimited cost.   If a player rejects your visit, you are not obligated to pay for the attempted pitch (only applicable to Send the House and Facility Visit)   You will league office your spending once you submit the official pitch.
Pitch expenses may come from off-season bonus OR next season (in-season) bonus.

EACH PHASE WILL HAVE A SPECIFIED AMOUNT OF PITCHES OR BONUS SPENT AS A CAP.




Send the House: You really want to make an impression?  How about you and your primary coaching staff travel for a face to face visit with the player/agent and the full court press to sign them showing them they are your number one priority.  This meeting will occupy a full phase and prevent you from making any other offers/pitches for that phase, but it also occupies the player for the entire phase so that others may not "send the house" or bring him in for a "facility visit." Costs: Minimum $750K (no maximum)  NOTE:  Player must accept your request to visit, if you are turned down you may pivot to other options for other targets.



Facility Visit: Invite the player to travel to your team facility for a tour and a sit down.  This is a multi-hour visit, so you are only able to invite a maximum of 4 players in a single phase. There is a maximum of two stadium visits a player can/will make in a single phase.  Cost: $250K per visit NOTE:  Player must accept your request to visit, if you are turned down you may pivot to other options for other targets.



Video Call Pitch: Your chance to make a detailed pitch to a free agent and agent via video call.  Your pitch can influence the players decision, so choose your words wisely!  Cost: $100K per pitch




Phone Call:  Call an agent, offer him a contract for a client of his.  The agent may negotiate if the interest is high enough or they may take the offer and make a decision later.  Player preference boosts to contracts are ignored as the player is not privy to the negotiations. (player dislikes are not ignored, however).




Text Message: The least personal of all, text a contract to the agent (years and salary, no incentives or other add ons allowed).  This offer will not receive a counter and rarely an immediate reaction, but it will be considered at the end of each phase whey players decide their future but the lack of personal touch to this form of communication will degrade its value.

[Talon]

Scouting, Position Training, and other expenses will not be allowed to be split between types of bonus from now on.