American Football League
12 - Rules And Information
Note: The Commissioner requests that you contact him predominately through email or texting regarding your franchise/team. If you must speak directly to me, please do it on my cell phone & before 10 P.M. .
1. Team Setup
2. Roster Management
3. Roster and Schemes Submission
4. Trades and Regular Season Free Agency
5. Rookie Draft
6. Rookie Studs-Procedure
7. Training Camp
8. End Of Season Retirements & Free Agency Signing Period
9. Game Time Scheduling
10. Playoff Rules
11. Playoff Tiebreaker Steps - Also Used For Free Agent Signings
12. How Draft Order Is Determined
13. Special Computer Game Note/Rule
14. Player Position Change
15. The "Code"
16. Game Taping
17. Rule Changes /League Voting
Latest update: 6-15-25
**8b - New for 2042 - Teams will be required to leave 22 unprotected players including franchise and transitional players.
***d.1: Teams must have a mininum of 4 WR'S/TE'S active & 5 DL's(DT & DE) acvtive.
***6a - New for 2043 - Stud and semi stud procedure broadened to bring more suspense.
1. Rookie selected in rookie draft,
Quarterbacks 2
Running Backs (HB & FB) 3
Receivers (WR & TE) 5
Offensive Linemen (C, G & T) 6
Defensive Linemen (DT & DE) 5
Linebackers 5
Defensive Backs (CB & S) 7
Kickers 1
Punters 1
NOTE: A player must be injured for 6 weeks or longer(O-6) to be eligible for IR. Any player with this designation may be placed on IR at anytime during the season. ***New for 2036*** : Any player placed on IR prior to week #9 is eligible to retain their year of service status for the following season.
NOTE: You may request that the computer make your depth chart for you throughout the season unless your team has been mathematically eliminated following the 10th game of the season. If the depth chart changes you submit for your roster are not within the league rules, or cannot be done because of how the game handles the Active, Open Active and Inactive statuses, the entire list of changes will not be accepted by the commissioner's office until you have corrected the changes. All corrections must also be received by the commissioner by 6:00pm Tuesday of that given week. It is your responsibility to make sure changes have been accepted. If you do not receive an email confirmation of your changes from the commissioner by 6:59 pm Tuesday, then contact him by cell phone or your changes may not be put into place for that week's game.
Quarterback #1 & 2 Center #1 Linebackers #1, 2 , 3 , 4 & 5 Halfback #1 & or 2 Guards #1 & 2 Cornerbacks #1 & 2 & 3 or 4 Fullback #1 & or 2 Tackles #1 & 2 Safeties #1 & 2 & 3 or 4 Wide Receivers #1, 2 , 3 , 4 or more Defensive Ends #1 & 2 or 3 Kicker #1 Tight End #1 & or 2 Defensive Tackles #1 & 2 or 3 Punter #1
d.1: Teams must have a mininum of 4 WR'S/TE'S active & 5 DL's(DT & DE) acvtive.
NOTE: If you substitute one position for another in any game, for example: Tackle #3 plays your 2nd Guard position on your offensive line, then he is also considered part of your starting lineup the week following that game.
NOTE: When moving Wide Receivers, the following moves are allowed without counting against your 2 player maximum:WR1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 to 1 WR1 to 2, 2 to 1 and 3 stays at 3 WR1 stays at 1, 2 to 3 and 3 to 2(Moving WR1 to WR3 or lower will count against your minimum, with the following exception: If WR4 or lower moves into the top 3 wide receivers, you may move WR1 as low as WR4 without it counting as more than one move against your maximum.)
NOTE: Since the trade deadline runs until the 9th week of the season, traded players between the 8th and 9th may be moved into the starting lineup without counting against your 2 starters move restriction.
***DEADLINE IS 6:00 P.M. THURSDAY***(If an owner does not recieve confirmation of roster/scheme submission by the deadline means the Commissioner did not recieve & will be invalid).
*TRADE & FREE AGENT AQUISITION REQUESTS DUE 6:00 THURSDAY*
a. If you make changes to the order or statuses of any players at a certain position you must send a list of all the players at that position, in the order you want them to be.
e.***1. 2nd half stipulations will not default each
week if you do not send any changes. If you want a 2nd half stipulation,
you MUST send a change each week as I will not keep record of them from a
week to week basis.
*** 2. Player personnel changes will be handled by the
computer coach during the first & second halves. You may provide a
stipulation at half that will allow a personnel change of your choosing. You are
limited to ONLY 2 personnel CHANGES & must be specific to circumstances for
the change. Please review all 2nd half changes post that weeks games as your
roster will have altered to reflect the change.
3.You may select any offensive playbook listed below &
couple it with any profile listed from the profile page.
Please refer to the profile page for up to date listings.
4.Defensive playbooks are listed with
corresponding
profiles.
5.Playbooks
listed below in red are "original" playbooks.
Playbooks in
blue
were created by other individuals.
*6. - Refers to the default offensive &
defensive playbook/profiles the AFL12 uses for cpu owned teams or non reporting
teams.
**7. 2040 Introduces the 2nd half "PRO" using 4th down
analytics.
f. PLAYBOOKS & PROFILES
**Offensive playbooks listed below have "sister" playbooks with a different
punt/punt coverage play included. They are designated with a (pr) next to
the playbook name.
**Defensive playbooks listed below have "brother" playbooks that include a 2 man
kick return play included. They are designated with a (2) next to the playbook
name.
| OFFENSIVE PLAY BOOKS | DEFENSIVE PLAYBOOKS |
| AFL | AFL W-CREW |
| BACK ATTACK | DOMINATOR |
| GATLING GUN | GNFL 4-3 |
| GNFL | 4-3 CLASSIC |
| IRON WOLF | 3-4 CLASSIC |
| K-GUN | 33 COBRA |
| PWR+ | 4-3 COVER II |
| RED WOLF | 3-4 HYBRID |
| SPREAD | 4-3 MAN TO MAN |
| TOMAHAWK | 3-4 MAN TO MAN |
| ZONE BLITZ | |
| 3-4 MANIAC |
ALL OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE PROFILES ARE AVAILABLE WITH "NO AUDIBLES" - DESIGNATED (na) within the name.
| OFFENSIVE PROFILES [regular & (na)] | DEFENSIVE PROFILES [regular & (na)] |
| AFL | Classic BALANCED |
| Classic BALANCED* | Classic RUN |
| Classic RUN | Classic PASS |
| Classic PASS | AGGRESSIVE RUN |
| Classic BALANCED-NO PANIC(NP) | CONSERVATIVE RUN |
| Classic RUN-NO PANIC(NP) | MODERATE RUN |
| Classic PASS-NO PANIC(NP) | |
| RED WOLF | |
| POWER+ | |
| FUN - N - GUN | |
| BALANCED2-PRO | |
| PASS2-PRO | |
| RUN2-PRO | |
| POWER+2-PRO | |
| FUN-N-GUN2-PRO |
NOTE: If you do not submit an offensive and defensive scheme each week, your team will default to the previously used schemes. In the event you do not submit Week #01 playbooks/profiles, your team does NOT use pre season submissions. Your team as well as computer owned teams will use the GNFL - Balanced attack & GNFL 4-3 Balanced defense.
1.a ***DEADLINE IS BEFORE EACH WEEKS GAME
DEADLINE - *** (If you do not receive confirmation of a trade/free agent request submission by this time, you are to proceed with the assumption that the Commissioner did not receive and the request is invalid).
1.aa - Injured players may be traded.
NOTE: For the close date, you must use a given week of the next season, or the end of that next season if the clause involves a draft pick.
NOTE: If a statistical clause is deemed to be outlandish, or it is judged that the main purpose of the clause is just to delay the movement of a player or players, the trade will be nullified by the commissioner.
c. A random card pull after round #3 of the rookie draft determines which player & team awarded the Diamond in the Rough. Said player will have equal to #20 actual numbers, SEMI STUD potentials.
d. Each team will have the option of selecting up to but not exceeding 4
players designated for IR. These players(if kept after seasons end) will
remain rookies for the following season. During the draft and after making a
pick an owner must either designate IR status, drop a player if full OR
designate as an active player. At seasons end, owners will have to decide
whether to keep the IR players or drop them. If kept, an active player
will need to be dropped. IR players will go through the free agent mini
camp, not owner advised camps.
Back to top
a.1. Beginning with the 2033 Rookie Draft class, studs will slowly be moving towards ranking #15, semi studs #20. 2032 will be final season that studs will equal #10 & semi studs equal #15. This will be a gradual change. 2033 studs will equal #12, semi studs #17. 2034 studs will equal #14, semi studs #19.
b. The flopping studs will be determined by a new stud eliminator utility.
c. Submission of owner training camp #'s must be received no later than 7 days following the rookie draft. Failure to do so will result in using the default training camp numbers used in previous seasons.
d. Incorrect or incomplete training camp submissions will be given a one time warning & allowed to resubmit provided the deadline has not passed.
8. END OF SEASON RETIREMENTS & FREE AGENCY SIGNING PERIOD
a. Trading is allowed following retirements & up until protected lists are due.
aa. After retirements have been posted, each team may select 1 retired player of any age & 1 player 3 years or younger to reconsider & rejoin their team.
b. Before the free agency signing period begins, each team will get the chance to leave a minimum of 22 players unprotected.
bb. Of the 22 unprotected players, each team will designate a 'franchise' player that can only be selected with a MINIMUM 1st round rookie draft pick in upcoming draft. If a team owns more than one first round pick, they must submit the higher pick for the player.
bb1. Teams will have another option of designating a 'transitional player' that can only be selected with at MINIMUM a 3rd round rookie draft pick in upcoming draft. If a team owns more than one third round pick, they must submit the higher pick for the player.
c. For the end of season free agent signing period, the team lowest in the standings (using the AFL12 tiebreaking procedures) will choose 2 unprotected players from the rest of the teams, followed by the next lowest ranked team and so on, until each of the AFL12 teams have had a chance to select players over one round of selections. The following restrictions apply when signing free agents from other teams:
1. You may not sign a player from a team that has already lost 2 free agents.2. You may not sign a Kicker or Punter from another team during the Free Agency Signing Period if you already have one on your roster at the time of your free agent selection.
3. You may not sign a player that has already been taken from another team during this free agency signing period.
4. When it is your turn, you may sign 1 (at most) unprotected players from your own roster, but only if your team has not already lost 2 players.
5. Players signed during the End Of Season Free Agency Signing Period may not be traded until after the free agency signing period has concluded.
f. Once notified that it is your turn to pick in the Free Agent Signing Period, you must make your selections within 12 hours, spread between 8 am and 10 pm, 7 days a week. (Example: If you are notified at 7pm one evening, you have 3 hours that night and 9 hours the next day, starting at 8am, to make your selection.) If you do not make your selection within the specified 12 hours of notification, the opportunity to select will default to the next team in the draft order. Even if you are late in making your pick, you may submit them at any time after your 12 hour period is up and you will still be allowed to sign them if the player you choose is still available. If a late FA signing, as described here takes place, the team that is currently on the clock will be notified and their 12 hour clock reset. Notification will be attempted by email and phone(before 6 P.M. via cell phone, email after that). During the Free Agency Signing Period it is your responsibility to keep watch to see when it is your turn to pick AND to verify the Commissioner has received your pick before your signing deadline. It is also your responsibility to let the commissioner know if you are going to be unavailable for for any length of time during the Free Agency process.
g. If you do not make your selection in the allowed 12 hour period or have not submitted a list of players to choose from, you will be skipped until you can make your selection. If you are skipped all the way to the end of the signing period, the remaining teams that have not had players chosen from will be allowed to select the player(s) they will lose & placed on your roster.
NOTE: Both the above rule and the deadline for protected player lists are subject to change, by announcement by the commissioner in any given off-season, due to the possibility of special circumstances.
h. At the end of the End of Season Free Agency Signing Period you must cut any players needed if your free agent signings have moved your team out of compliance with AFL12 roster guidelines.
a1. The American Bowl Championship Game will be held in a nuetral site, determined by a random vote of 5 selected sites including homes of AFL12 teams. Selection will immediately after the first pre season game.
a2. Using the new ENADD utility, the visiting team will not have a 5% reduction in attributes.
The winner between #5 & #4 wildcard teams at the highest ranked division winner.
The lowest ranked division winner at the 2nd highest ranked division winner.UNLESS the wildcard team winner and the highest ranked division winner are from the same division, in which case the playoff alignment will be as follows:
- The wildcard team(either #5 or #4) at the 2nd highest ranked division winner
- The lowest ranked division winner at the highest ranked division winner
e. Power Poll Ranking(strength of victory)
f. Best net points in all games
g. Strength of schedule (Combined record of all opponents faced, with
teams in same division counted once only)
h. Total points scored
i. Net touchdowns (Total of touchdowns scored minus touchdowns
allowed.)
j. Net yardage (Total yards gained minus yards allowed. Does not include
return yardage on kicks, punts, interceptions or fumbles.)
k. Coin Toss
1. The 12th best team, overall. 2. The 11th best team, overall. 3. The 10th best team, overall. 4. The 9th best team, overall. 5. The 8th best team, overall. 6. The 7th best team, overall. 7. The 6th best team, overall. 8. The 5th best team, overall. 9. The lowest ranking loser in the semi-final playoff round. 10. The highest ranking loser in the semi-final playoff round. 11. The loser of the AFL12 Championship game. 12. The AFL12 Championship team.
The wildcard teams always ranks below a division winner, even if it has a
better win/loss record.
Back to top
a. Each season an owner has the option of changing 3 players positions. This may ONLY occur following the free agent signing period & prior to Training Camp.
b. Players may not switch from offense to defense. Specific
changes allowed listed below.
1. HB<>FB
2. C-G-T
3. DT<>DE
4. S<>CB
14. Player Position Change
The AFL12 has reached the level of competitiveness I had
envisioned when it
was created. Above all else this league is meant to be fun. However,
when owners fail to stay involved or responsive on issues revolving around the
league & their own team it becomes less fun. The Competition Committee has
come up with the following "Code" for all owners to abide by from hence forth.
It is meant to keep the league competitive, active & fun.
Committee members: RED Division: Holt & Headley. WHITE: Kansas City & West London. BLUE: McCune
15. The "Code"
1. EMAIL. All owners MUST have a valid email address. An owner will be permitted to operate his team by phone for up to 6 games without penalty. This is an online league first & foremost.
2. TRADING. RE: Trade response turnaround time. Unless an owner has made his temporary unavailability known to the league or the Commissioner all trades & free agent business will be subject to a 48 business hour response time. Weekends are excluded from the 48 hour time limit, with exception to the off season free agent signing period.. This applies to owners that do & do not have email. I must have specific information by the notified of an incident violation.
1st offense, a warning & every selection will be at the bottom of every round. 2nd offense, all picks are forfeited until everyone has selected.
3rd offense, the commissioner will select at the conclusion of the draft & the team shall be computer owned until an owner can be found.
4. COMPETITION - The AFL12 is an ultra competitive league & should remain such through the duration of a season/post season. Owners are required to field the most competitive team possible & are not to bench players to gain a better draft position or effect statistical results. This is left to interpretation of course & is subject to Committee review.
PENALTIES - any "Code" violation shall have the following penalties:
1st penalty: Warning from the Commissioner.
2nd penalty: Written from the Commissioner with copies to the committee. Also loses 2 off season free agent selections. If non are available, the committee will choose an alternate penalty.
3rd strike: ADIOS!
*NOTE* - All strikes carry over from season to season. If an owner goes a full season without acquiring an additional strike, then a strike shall be subtracted from his total. Negative strikes are not possible.
1. Game taping is available to those that wish to have. I will only tape one game a week upon request. You can request game highlights which can be viewed on a play by play basis if you have fbpro installed on your computer. This is available every week to anyone that wishes to have.
16. Game Taping
1. All rule changes must be submitted in
writing to the Commissioner for review/approval. If the Commissioner
approves then the change/submission shall be put to a league vote. 3. ANY vote that is rejected may not be
put up for a NEW vote unless 1/3 of the league ownership has changed.
17. Rule Changes / League Voting
2. Rules may not be changed during the season. In other words, any rule
may be voted on during the season or any other time but changes not implemented
until seasons end.
a. Exception: If a proposed vote differs in wording or has changed significantly from a proposed vote that was not ratified.