A) DRAFTING
A1) Initial Drafting- Every season will begin in August with an initial drafting period in which each team will select a number of players equal to twice the amount of normal starters (20 in 1997, 18 in 2002). To be eligible for this draft each owner must have paid the initial fee ($10 in 2002) and have picked a name and colors for their team.
The first team to choose in a given year will be an expansion team; if there are two or more expansion teams, the selection order will be chosen by luck. If there are no expansion teams, the worst team in season record from the previous year will select first. In the event of a tie, see 'season tiebreakers' (C4). The bottom of the order will consist of the Super Bowl winner, then title winners, Super Bowl loser, and then overall wins (ties counting as half a win) with largest total last. In the event of a tie, overall wins followed by distance in playoffs followed by fantasy points in season and playoffs combined will determine the order of the bottom six teams in the draft
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Before any drafting begins, closed bids must be taken for each "franchise player" which are designated by each team one month before ISFL Draft Day. "Franchise players" are considered restricted free agents (RFAs). Each owner will be given a sheet of paper with each team's franchise player on it; each owner will then write down one bid for each "franchise player" they wish to sign (owners CANNOT bid on their own "franchise player"). If bidding on a player, the minimum bid allowed is $1; owners may only bid in dollar increments. All bids are collected in confidence. The owner with the highest bid will then claim that player unless the current owner of that player matches the offer. This offer becomes the RFA's "salary" for the upcoming year. Any tied highest closed bid will require an open bidding session between all the owners who tied in the closed bid; again, the current owner of the RFA will be able to match any offer. Bid matching will take place in random order.
A2) Compensation (First Round) Drafting- Selection in this round is always worst to first. The largest-salaried RFAs must be paid for in this round. Any team paying an RFA must forfeit his/her round's selection. Any additional RFAs must be paid for in the same fashion in following rounds, most expensive first. Any RFAs who do not receive bids automatically have a $1 salary that must be paid. Owners who have no franchise player or lose their franchise player (and have no claims to any other RFA) will have a first round selection restored to them in worst to first order.
Players are selected in the following manner-
> No RFA: select a free agent
> RFA: pay salary and declare RFA contracted
> RFA: buy out contract of RFA, release him, and select a free agent (RFA then becomes a free agent)
A3) Remaining Rounds- Owners pick free agents worst to first, then first to worst, alternating in that fashion. Additional RFAs (If any owners has claim to two or more), after the compensation round, must be signed in the next successive rounds (2nd, 3rd, 4th and so on until all signed) in the same fashion as the compensation round.
A4) Absentee Drafting- Drafting via the web or email will be acceptable.
A5) Proxy Drafting- Drafting by proxy is acceptable as long as one week prior notice is given. Owners who wish to draft by proxy must list their picks in the order they wish them to be picked and must identify each player with his NFL team and his position. These are crucial for the proxy to be able to recognize the owner's intent. Owners drafting by proxy should have lists of at least 200 players (or # of owners times the number of initial drafting rounds).
A6) Restitution Selections- If a draft day is early (more than one week before the NFL's opening day), owners have the right to cut players and receive restitution selections for these players if they meet one of the two following criteria:
1) The player is injured or is deemed "unable to play" by the NFL between ISFL draft day and NFL opening day AND is expected to miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season due to this situation (this includes retirement).
2) The player is cut from his NFL team between ISFL draft day and NFL opening day.
> Note that players who only earn bonuses do not qualify for a restitution selection; i.e., an owner may not cut Dallas' Defense because "bonus player" Deion Sanders is out for the season. Cut players immediately become free agents. Restitution selections must be picked before NFL opening day in conventional order- worst to first, alternating.
A7) Freeman Amendment (2002)- Any owner who selects an unsigned NFL free agent on draft day who does not make a NFL team by opening day will not receive a restitution selection for said player.
A8) Vick Amendment (2003)-If Franchise Players meet the criteria for restitution in Rule (A6) between Franchise Player Announcement Day and ISFL Draft Day, owners have the right to cut said Franchise Player and receive their original first round selection without paying any salary.
A9) Conway Amendment (2004)- If a restitution selection player meets the criteria for restitution in Rule (A6), owners have the right to cut said player and receive an additional restitution selection. All selections must be made before NFL opening day.
A10) Tomlinson Amendment (2006)- Franchise Players can be made Transition Players by a three-fourths majority vote of the owners. A Transition Player is not subject to the Franchise Player closed bidding in Rule (A1). Instead, a Transition Player is automatically signed to a team pre-draft (no longer a RFA) and his salary equates to the average salary of all the Franchise Players at the completion of the closed bid session or his previous year's salary whichever figure is greater. An owner of a qualified Transition Player can refuse the Transition tag at any time before the closed bid session for that year. If a Transition tag is refused, that player reverts back to former Franchise status.
A11) Palmer Amendment (2006)- Any player that is injured prior to being tagged as a Franchise Player is will not be granted exception via the Vick Amendment for said injury.
A12) Fitzgerald Amendment (2010)- An owner who buys out a Franchise Player’s contract is still allotted that player’s draft slot regardless of the number of Franchise Players contracts that owner holds.
A13) Gordon-Bell Amendment (2019)- An owner who salaries multiple Franchise Players at the same dollar amount will draft said players in the random order as determined by the original Franchise Player bidding draw.
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B) TEAM ACQUISITION
B1) Team Naming and Colors- Almost any team name or color is acceptable. Please do not use ‘west,’ ‘east,’ ‘iron,’ or ‘skull’ in a team name. Owners may change the name or colors of their team one month before draft day only; exceptions to this rule may be made for new league owners.
B2) Home Games and Stadiums- Stadiums may be named in the same fashion as teams. Home game victories only apply to the season tiebreaker, see rule (C4).
B3) Team Buying- In any given year in which there is a defunct team, any new owners must first have the option to buy a defunct team. If there are no defunct teams or all defunct teams have new ownership, any additional teams become “expansion teams” with drafting rights detailed in A1. New owners of a franchise retain all of the previous facets of the team enjoyed by the previous owner including, but not limited to, the following: RFAs, team name, power rank, etc.
B4) Rules Governing Ghost Teams- In any year for which they are an odd number of owners, a ghost team will be designated to the conference lacking a team. This team will be controlled by a non-partisan manager with the same guidelines and conditions that are afforded to regular teams with the EXCEPTION OF THE FOLLOWING-
> Managers do NOT pay an entry fee.
> Managers are NOT allowed to bid on any RFA.
> Managers are allowed to take supplemental draft selections only at the end of every drafting period.
> Managers are NOT allowed any payout; any payout made by a ghost team will be returned to the pool next season
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C) GAME RULES
C1) Starters- Each team must designate a starting team made up of 1 Quarterback, 2 Running Backs, 3 Pass Receivers (includes Tight Ends), 1 Kicker, 1 Defense/Special Team BEFORE game time that week which is normally noon Sunday. If no starters are designated the previous week's starters will start or players will be selected by original draft order.
C1b) Bowman Amendment (2013)- Owners may not choose to start players that have no opportunity to play in an attempt to lose on purpose. No players on bye will start unless the team has no available players at that position to start. Substitutes not designated will start by original draft order.
C2) Declaring Line-up- Each owner must electronically submit a list of each weeks starters to the Kommish or the (C1) starting rule will apply. Use Discord, if possible. Facebook and text is okay.
C3) Positions- Players may only start in the position which the NFL officially lists them (see NFL.com). At no time may a player play at any other position. All touchdowns scored that are not accounted for in the rules at a particular position are considered an "alternate" touchdown. Contested scores will be evaluated by NFL statistics as the final arbiter (see NFL.com).
C4) Playing the Game- All starting players will be evaluated by the following rules each week regardless of injury, playing status, or any other deficiency.
Defense/Special Team- TD = 12 pts; Safety = 12 pts (QB/Punter out of endzone)
Bonuses:
> QBs- passing +2 for 300 yds, +1 additional 75; running +2 for 50 yds, +1 additional 25
> RBs- running +2 for 100 yds, +1 additional 50; catching +2 for 50 yds, +1 additional 25
> PRs- catching +2 for 100 yds, +1 additional 50; running +2 for 50 yds, +1 additional 25
> Ks- +1 for each yard over 50 (51 yard FG = 10 pts)
> DST- +1 / interception, +1 / sack, +20 shutout
Tiebreakers:
Season-
1) Points
2) Head-to-Head Matchup
3) Strength of Schedule (OAPR)
4) Coin Flip
Playoffs-
1) Total playoff points; (points divided by 10 added to score)
2) Highest point performer; (added to score)
3) Highest number of players in that round; (added to score)
4) Highest number of players eligible for the playoffs on tied teams; (added to score)
5) Coin Flip
Scoring of Non-Voted Recognitions-
1) Player's ISFL team won in the week of tie.
2) Number of touchdowns/FG scored.
3) Player's percentage of the total points scored by their ISFL team in the week (or other designated period) of recognition.
4) Player's score without bonus points added (including Pro Bowl bonuses).
5) Coin Flip
C5) Johnson Rule (1997)- Any QB that catches his own batted ball for a touchdown is considered a triple score play (common score for passing + alternate score for receiving).
C6) McDuffie Rule (1998)- Any unusual touchdown scored by a skill position player (QB, RB, PR) is considered an “alternate” score.
C7) Fisk-Thornton Rule (2000)- Any ½ sack will not be counted toward any ISFL team’s fantasy point total in any week. Sack points must be calculated by the team defense totals, not by any individual statistical performance. Any discrepancy between sources will be resolved by NFL.com’s Play-by-Play pages.
C8) McCleon Rule (2001)- When a kicker takes the field, all ISFL points not accorded to the kicker personally are Special Teams points, regardless if that kicker/punter actually kicked the ball. Offenses in kick formation and defenses defending against those formations are considered ‘Special Teams’.
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C8b) McCleon Extension (2023)- When Defense/Special Teams are used as a position, the McCleon Rule applies to the position of 'Defense/Special Teams' in lieu of the position of 'Special Teams.'
C9) Dawkins-Vincent Rule (2002)- The defense shutout bonus is awarded only in the event that the NFL team opposing your defense scores zero points in a game. There are no exceptions given to the defense via the McCleon Rule on special teams scores.
C10) Robinson Rule (2003)- Any zero yard touchdown will be scored as a one yard touchdown.
C11) Vinatieri Rule (2004)- Any touchdown scored by a kicker is considered an “alternate” score with the same scoring values by yardage as skill players. Any player scoring with the kicker is immediately exempt from the McCleon Rule and regains status as an individual player that can score personal points in typical fashion for his position. "Scoring with the kicker" is defined as being listed along with said kicker in a touchdown scoring statement within NFL.com's scoring summary for that game.
C12) Snow Rule (2005)- Special Team bonuses MUST be calculated by the team punt and kick return totals, not by any individual statistical performance. Any discrepancy between sources will be resolved by NFL.com’s Play-by-Play pages.
C13) Anthony Rule (2015)- All conversion returns by a defending team will be credited to Special Teams scores and have a value of 12 points.
C14) Webster Rule (2018)- When Special Teams are not employed as a position in a given year, scoring rules regarding Special Teams in the Snow Rule and Anthony Rule are void and not scored.
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C15) Gillian Rule (2022)- Any safety scored by the actions of a punter is considered 12 points for the opposing Special Teams via the McCleon Rule.
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C16) Hamlin Rule (2022)- Any game which is canceled and not replayed by the NFL, will have the game score vacated and no ISFL points will be scored.
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C17) Playoffs/Super Bowl during NFL postseason- Normal position and starting rules apply. Only substitutions that may be made during the Super Bowl is at half-time.
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C18) Playoffs/Super Bowl during NFL regular season- Week 15 is the conference championships with winners advancing to the Super Bowl in Week 16. Non-Super Bowl contenders continue on in a ranked bowl series that counts to their season record.
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C19) Pro Bowl 1999 Amendment- Scoring for NFL Postseason Pro Bowls after 1998:
> ISFL Pro Bowlers (skill positions, D, ST and K’s FG 50 yds or beyond): normal score +5.
> ISFL Pro Bowler Kickers PAT and FGs under 50 yds: normal score points.
> No sack, interception, or bonus D player points will be awarded.
> No return bonuses will be awarded.
> No McDuffie TDs are scored (Rule enacted 2001).
> NFL Pro Bowler on an ISFL TEAM: normal score points.
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C20) Pro Bowl 2018 Amendment- Scoring for NFL Regular Season Pro Bowls: All teams enter a starting lineup for Week 17. Highest scoring QB in each conference will be added to each teams’ Pro Bowl score, as will the two highest RBs, three highest WRs, highest kicker, and highest D. All players’ scores will be added to that player’s point total for the year for award purposes, regardless if that player’s score was among the highest of the week. McDuffie TDs are reinstated, normal Rule (C4) scoring rules apply.
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C21) Pro Bowl 2003 Amendment- All Pro Bowl MVPs are subject to non-voted recognition tiebreaker, Rule (C4).
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D) TRADE GUIDELINES
D1) Trading- Any trading of players between two owners is allowed under the following conditions-
> Owners that trade for multiple players must be aware of the roster cap.
> Owners cannot trade players for a week. All trades are permanent.
> Owners may only trade players for players, draft selections, or player rights; not money, personal property or any other service or product outside the ISFL.
> Owners may not trade after the Halloween trade deadline.
> The Kommish has final say on all trades. I will almost never say anything, but I cannot allow someone trade, let's say, a player out for the regular season for Brett Favre or Emmitt Smith for all 5 wire selections and 4 players.
D2) Moss Amendment (2008)- When trading players, draft picks, or franchise player rights, you must do so in within the same season, measured from Super Bowl to Super Bowl.
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E) INJURED RESERVE AND DISABLED LIST
E1) Disabled List- Any player who is injured and projected out for at least 4 weeks may be put on the disabled list. For as long as this player is out, he is not counted toward the roster cap.
E2) Injured Reserve- Any player who is injured and projected out for at least 6 weeks may be put on injured reserve. A player who is on injured reserve is considered part of the team, but does not count against the roster cap. He may not start the rest of the season. However, the owner of said player is able to, at any time within a week of the injury, select a free agent to replace him as long as the free agent plays the same position (see NFL.com). After the first, additional players on injured reserve WILL count toward the cap.
E3) Robinson-Crowell Amendment (2001)- In any week in which two or more different ISFL teams have a player suffer an injury that qualifies for the (E2) Injured Reserve criteria AND play the same position, the ISFL team with the worst record at the point of said player’s injury will select a free agent first. The selections will then continue by record, in worst to best progression.
E4) Daniels Amendment (2006)- "Same position" is defined as "within the same starting designation from Rule (C1) Starters." Therefore, wide receivers and tight ends (from NFL.com) are interchangeable within the starting designation "Pass Receiver," as are full backs and running backs within the starting designation "Running Back." The Daniels Amendment also applies in Robinson-Crowell situations (E3).
E5) Cobb Amendment (2013)- If there is no timetable or a variable timetable for an injured player's return, an owner may wait until the timetable is set or the sixth absent week to IR said player.
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F) SUPPLEMENTARY DRAFTING
F1) Wire Selections- There are five wire selection weeks. Before week 5, before week 7, before week 9, before week 11, before week 13. Wire selection weeks start the Tuesday before each of these odd numbered weeks. At these times, you may choose a free agent. The order of selection is determined by the current standings, worst record first. I will contact you when it is your time to pick. You should immediately select a player after this message or announce your intention not to pick. You will have a maximum of 12 hours after this message to do this.
F2) Wire Trading- Wire selections can be traded. However, don't forget you MUST buy your wire selection before you trade it.
F3) Detmer Amendment (2002)- Players who gain starting status during a given supplemental drafting period (due to free agency, an injury, or any other reason) may not be selected until the next drafting period. If an NFL free agent is signed by an NFL team during a given supplemental drafting period, that player may not be selected until the next drafting period. Depth chart issues will be resolved by NFL.com.
F4) Eisen Amendment (2006)- Any players selected during a supplementary drafting period whose teams are playing within that period may not start until the following week.
F5) Fouts Amendment (2016)- The Detmer and Eisen Amendments will be suspended in any year in which the NFL season has Thursday Night games on the majority of the regular season weeks.
F6) McKinnie Amendment (2016)- In any scheduled supplementary drafting period, the 12 hour maximum time limit on selection is suspended. All teams have until an hour before the first Sunday game to select, however other teams time-slotted later can pick in front of delaying teams.
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G) ROSTERS
G1) Roster Cap- At no time may a team have more than 17 players. To add players (via the wire or by trade) after the cap is reached, an owner must release another player. That player immediately becomes a free agent.
G2) No ST Cap- If No Special Teams are employed in a given year, the roster cap is set at 16 players
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H) PLAYER AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
H1) Player of the Week- The player with the most points in a given week is accorded the honor of Player of the Week.
H2) Manning-Toomer Amendment (2007)- Players of the Week are not subject to the non-voted recognition tiebreaker, Rule (C4).
H3) Year End Awards- At the end of the season, awards are given for the following categories: Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player, Most Underrated Player, Most Overrated Player, Shoot 'Em Like A Horse Player, Rookie of the Year, and Best Double Point Tandem. Nominations are made at Kommish discretion. The number of nominations per year equals the number of teams in play (including ghost teams) divided in half. Players with the most votes in any given category wins the corresponding award. All awards within this Rule (H3) are voted recognitions except Player of the Year.
H4) Hester Amendment (2007)- Individual rookies playing for Special Teams and Defenses are eligible nominees for Rookie of the Year.
H5) Stafford Amendment (2012)- Nominations for year-end awards are capped at six.
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H6) Gurley Amendment (2018)- Number of nominations for year-end awards is determined by the number of current teams divided by two.
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I) HALL OF FAME
I1) Hall of Fame Eligibility-
> You must be retired from the NFL for 1 full year.
> You must not have started for an ISFL team for 3 years.
> The player will enter the Hall as a player of the owner he scored for the most in his ISFL career.
> The player must be nominated by an owner and then voted in by the majority of the voting ISFL owners.
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J) PLAYOFF SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFTING
J1) Draft Cap- Playoff teams will select a maximum of two players to supplement their teams in the playoffs. Said players can be on a non-playoff team or free agents.
J2) Non-Playoff Team Reservation- When selecting from players from a non-playoff team, the playoff team is merely ‘borrowing’ that player for the playoffs. At the end of the playoffs, the player reverts back to his original non-playoff team. The non-playoff team then retains the rights to trade or franchise the player.
J3) Drafting- The draft order is determined by luck (currently through Randomizer on Discord) and proceeds for two rounds in serpentine fashion.
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