Ground Zero
ʘ
Madden League
**SECTION 1: CONDUCT **
Decisions
All rules are subject to the final decision of the administration.
THIS DECISION IS FINAL.
All games will be reviewed on a regular basis for potential violations and issues.
CULTURE AND INTEGRITY
Ground Zero is committed to the values of trust, honesty, fairness, and respect. We will promote an environment of mutual respect and these values will be instilled and upheld within this league.
DISRESPECTFUL CONVERSATIONS
Disrespectful conversations will not be tolerated (Public or Private)
“Smack talk” may be ‘fun’, however, it should only be used in a humorous spirit
Show good gamesmanship before and after each game
Be the bigger man (or woman) when it comes to petty arguments
Respect opponents during games
Running up the score does not gain any points nor does it reflect good gamesmanship. Just don’t do it.
If you have issues with the rules, contact a League Admin.
DISCRIMINATION
Ground Zero does not discriminate on the basis of the Protected Classes of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, military status, genetic information, citizenship, or other legally protected category.
Such actions and occurrences are prohibited, regardless whether they take place during a game, chat, program, or any activity involving Ground Zero.
REPORTING CONCERNS
All issues must be presented to the admin team within a timely manner.
Once an issue is presented, it will be addressed accordingly. Admins will determine any necessary actions.
Once an issue is reported, it should not continue to be discussed; this only perpetuates any issue(s).
Ongoing issues may result in additional actions, up to and including dismissal from the league.
If there is a gameplay issue(s), pause the game and contact a League Admin in the 1:1 Helpline Chat Channel for your team; include a video clip(s) if necessary and continue playing.
If an admin is unable to respond in a timely manner, the issue will be reviewed and verified as quickly as possible; we will ensure a viable solution is offered to fix the issue.
If the issue is reported after the game is over, the report must include a video clip(s) of the alleged issue; otherwise, we must accept the opponents report on the alleged issue.
Review the ‘Highlights’ at the end of the game and save the clip(s).
If there is a lag issue at the start of a game (1st Drives), pause and communicate with your opponent to try and remedy the situation.
If your opponent is unwilling to work with you, contact a League Admin via your 1:1 Team Helpline Chat Channel and wait for assistance.
Do not DM the opponent, or worse, call them out in public chat.
Failure to follow these rules will result in user suspension or dismissal from the league.
- Provide Proof
- False Accusations will result in reverse actions
- If both parties are guilty of violating our gameplay rules, admin will determine whether a full game reset is required.
ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
League Admins have the right to enforce each punishment (including escalation up the levels due to severity) and make on-the-spot determinations, to protect the integrity of the league.
By reading and agreeing to the rules, you will be held accountable and NO warnings will be given and penalties will be enforced.
**SECTION 2: GAME SCHEDULING**
GAME SETTINGS
Simulation Game Style (Default for CFM)
‘All Madden Difficulty’
Eight (8) minute quarters with an accelerated clock that runs off to 25s (a max runoff of 15s per play)
SCHEDULING
Scheduling occurs every 48 hours
24-hour Mandatory scheduling via the Discord public game channel
If the game has not been scheduled within 24 hours, the team loses the ability to a forced win, unless:
One (1) opponent is unavailable the entire time or
The other opponent states that you can have the win and Admins approve.
If the last game played has no set time or progress made, it will be simmed or given a force win based off activity.
If a game has been scheduled and circumstances arise that render you unable to play, admins will determine if a Straight Sim or Force Win will be given based on overall activity in that CURRENT week scheduling channel.
If this occurs, please contact a League Admin.
Users who miss more than 3 games throughout the season without admin approval are subject to removal from league.
This rule counts for all 17 weeks of the regular season and will be held up even if eliminated from playoffs.
**SECTION 3: GAMEPLAY RULES**
“Ignorance is no Defense - If you don’t know, you don’t care”
All players have agreed to the rules before joining.
PLAY ETIQUETTE
Do not Run Up Scores or the Stat Pad
Doing so will result in an immediate removal from league.
If you are winning by a significant amount, the goal is to keep the clock running and end the game.
In case of X-Factor / Superstar upgrade situations, you must DM it to a League Admin for tracking and accountability, as special rules exist here.
CHEW CLOCK RULES
- Allowed inside 2 min warning of 2nd Quarter/1st Half
- Allowed inside last 3 min of 4th Quarter/2nd Half/Overtime
- Outside of this, you should not be snapping the ball at the last second consistently. A few plays while making adjustments is acceptable, but a majority of plays should be snapped quickly upon lining up.
ENDING A GAME RULES
- If you can kneel it out to end the game, you need to do so. (This also includes, if you can get a first down to seal the game, do so. Running a score in late will still qualify as breaking this rule.)
+ This applies if you have a 1st down and the opponent has 0 timeouts inside the 2 minute warning.
+ This also applies if the opponent does not call a TO on the first play inside the 2 minute warning with any number of timeouts remaining (throwing in the towel).
- Running an offensive play when you can end the game runs the risk of being ruled "stat padding".
- Scoring in a situation like this will be an immediate suspension (no question).
BLOWOUT GAME RULES
What Qualifies?
- 3+ Score Differential (17+) in final 2 Minutes of 4th Quarter
- 4+ Score Differential (25+) in 4th Quarter
- 5+ Score Differential (33+) in 3rd Quarter
- 5+ Score Differential (33+) in 1st Half
*Note - if the game ends in a seeming blowout 4+ possessions, we will review the score, scoring summary, and tape to determine if there are stat cap breaches that may have occurred when the game was not in blowout fashion yet. The determining factors for whether a suspension will still occur is whether you were stat chasing early, as we do have rules against establishing big scoring stat-lines early, then trying to run it out and use the excuse "all scoring happened early". While games can be caught up, YOU as the user are responsible for keeping track of your stats, so that if a game is seemingly going to be well handled, that you adjust your strategy accordingly.*
*IE. Going against an winless team and taking a 3 possession lead in the first (while not technically a blowout) is not grounds for trying to run up stats before halftime. This will still be grounds for suspensions.*
If the game qualifies as a blowout, Chew Clock must be turned on and starters at the stat caps must be benched.
The goal needs to be to end the game, not run up stats.
If you're losing, you can attempt to score, but if you just want the game to end, you can contact your opponent and both teams can turn on chew clock early.
Kneeling It Out is REQUIRED in this league. If you can kneel to end the game (either a 1st down inside the 2min warning and no opponent TOs, or opponent has conceded by not calling TOs), then you must do so. Not Kneeling will be considered stat padding.
BLOWOUT STAT CAPS
QB: 400 Passing Yards / 4 Passing Touchdowns
RB: 200 Rushing Yards / 3 Rushing Touchdowns
RB/WR/TE: 200 Receiving Yards / 3 Receiving Touchdowns
*NOTE: This does NOT mean that you can get 175 yards and 1 touchdown, then get an 80 yard touchdown with the chosen player. We have final ADMIN DECISION on whether the case in question violates this rule.
*NOTE: You need to be balanced throughout the game and not pad stats early and attempt rebalance later.
IE. Passing for four touchdowns on 20 passes in the first half compared to just 5 runs and then run heavy second half and vice versa.
*NOTE: RECORDS SHOULD NOT BE BROKEN DURING BLOWOUT GAMES.
If we determined that stat padding has occurred, the game will be reset and the winner will be given a FW. (Pending New Commissioner Capabilities)
**GARBAGE TIME RULES**
- When blowout game rules apply, you are not allowed to use the "RUN COMMIT" feature to get the ball back, knowing your opponent is trying to run to end the game.
- When blowout game rules apply, you cannot call timeouts inside the 2 Minute Warning if your opponent is attempting to kneel it out.
- If you have possession, you can try to throw to score.
**PLAYER DEVELOPMENT UPGRADE OPPORTUNITY RULES**
BASE RULES:
- If you have a player up for a development, you are now required to share it with the admins via your 1-on-1 helpline for tracking. If you play an admin, you may send it directly to a non-involved admin for tracking (this will not be shared until AFTER the game is over).
- Take a screenshot or picture of the challenge for the Dev Opportunity. We will NO LONGER ACCEPT screenshots after the initial. This is your responsible to take the photo and share it.
- You are allowed to go above stat caps in order to get your development upgrade. If your game is a blowout when you get near the statcap, keep in mind that your "stat cap" for the game will be your development upgrade total (this mostly applies to X-Factors, as SuperStar developments are at the stat caps).
- If you exceed the stat caps during a dev opportunity game due to a blowout, your player will be allowed to maintain their development but will still be eligible for suspension based on the violation.
EXTENSIONS:
- If your game is not played and you have a development, as long as you have shared the screenshot of the Initial Dev Upgrade Opportunity screen, which includes the challenges, you will be eligible to extend the Dev Opp to your next opponent (as long as the game doesn't automatically give you the dev during the sim/force). As with the admin rule, we will not share that information with your upcoming opponent and if your upcoming opponent is an admin, would recommend you share it with a different admin for verification and tracking.
- If your Dev Opp is extended, you will unfortunately lose the ability to gain the Dev + Experience for accomplishing the upgrade. To counterbalance this, we will grant a single Archetype Upgrade point (of your choosing) to your player. In order to achieve this, you will get +1 in each of the three key attributes for that archetype (IE. Field General QB gets +1 SAC, MAC, DAC). If there is a physical attribute listed as one of the 3, we have already altered it to a non-physical attribute which will be upgraded. See the chart for details. If +1 to each of the 3 doesn't give the archetype upgrade, we will then give additional points in the skills UNTIL you get +1 in the archetype.
NON-COMPLETED GAME RULES:
- During your Dev Opp game, if your game does not finish, the following can happen:
1. If you achieved the required stats for the Dev to be processed, submit a screenshot to an admin showing the achieved stats (whether you paused and took a screenshot midgame upon getting it, or from the banner under the scoreboard). Upon advance, if your player doesn't earn the upgrade from the sim/force, you will be entitled to the upgrade for achieving it in the game before disconnect and get the same benefits of the above listed rule.
*Note: You are guaranteed a shot at the dev the following week should your game not get completed.
DEFENSIVE PLAY CALLING
**CUSTOM DEFENSIVE PLAYBOOKS ARE NOT ALLOWED**
This is on a PER GAME basis.
During playoffs, these will be strictly monitored and can result in a restart of the game based off admin discretion.
Have a good balance of man vs zone plays throughout the game.
You cannot run more than 2 consecutive blitz plays.
Abusing blitzes will result in penalties.
Defense must rush at least 3
QB spies are OK as long as three (3) defenders are still rushing. (QB spies do not count as rusher)
DEFENSIVE MOVEMENT/ADJUSTMENTS
You may only manually move one (1) player on defense, per play pre-snap
Must user the player who was moved until the ball is snapped
User safety cannot enter the box (unless the playcall specifically allows - namely, on a safety blitz play)
Three (3) total adjustments allowed during pre-play. The goal here is to keep the play as close to the selected play art as possible.
- If we determine that the adjustments are excessive and create a borderline "cheese" or "money play" scenario, we might remove your ability to make adjustments or remove you from the league if you've been warned before. Just don't abuse this and we won't have an issue.
OFFENSIVE PLAY CALLING
**CUSTOM OFFENSIVE PLAYBOOKS ARE NOT ALLOWED**
This is on a PER SEASON basis.
Pass/Run on Offense must be split.
**THIS DOES NOT MEAN PASS ALL FIRST HALF, THEN RUN LATER WHEN UP BIG**
No more than 60% of your plays can be passes. (This includes screens and sacks)
No more than 60% of your plays can be runs. (This include QB runs, FB runs, and WR runs)
Make sure to spread the ball out when passing on offense.
- HB cannot be your primary receiver by the end of the season.
- HB cannot lead your team in receptions in any game during the season.
- *These additional HB rules are to prevent the abuse of how easy and quick HBs get open this Madden, and to counter the glitch route breaks they sometimes take which make them tough to guard.*
**You cannot use more than two (2) hot routes per play and no more than one (1) motion per play.**
Motion players must set before you can snap the ball (no motioning and snapping with them behind the line of scrimmage as an extra blocker)
The same play CAN NOT be called twice in a row (back to back). (Calling the same play and hot routing does not count as a different play)
Hot Routing a Halfback off a Play Action play is **not allowed**. If the play is a PA play, then the HB cannot be adjusted.
We WILL keep track of these numbers. We will inform you if you are above the percentage or close during weeks 4, 8, and 12.
QUARTERBACK MOBILITY RULES
**Autorollout/scrambles with QBs are prohibited on non-QB designed runs or PA rollout plays.**
If you scramble outside of the numbers, you cannot move towards the line of scrimmage and throw the ball.
If throwing the ball outside the numbers, your feet cannot be set (IE, has to be a throw on the run)
This rule is to prevent abuse of AI defenders.
Penalties given out based on the time & situation of the infraction(s)
KICKING
- You are prohibited from calling any play to negate the icing the kicker mechanic.
- Must kick fully on kickoffs if not trying for a onside or squib to try and end the game.
4TH DOWN RULES
- Coach’s Decisions
+ 2 per game, anywhere, anytime, any situation
+ Fake FG/Punts Count as a Coach’s Decision
+ Losing team can go for it at any point in the 4th quarter
NO HUDDLE
No more than two (2) times in a row (three [3] total plays, the original play, plus two [2] no-huddles)
If you are losing in the fourth (4th) quarter, you can No-Huddle at will
GAME DISCONNECTS
Anytime a game disconnects, it must be restarted FULLY (unless it is agreed upon that the winning team gets the force win).
NO RECREATING GAME SCORES.
If game disconnects with four (4) minutes or less remaining in the game, and there is a three-possession plus (3+) score lead (17+), this will result in a forced win to the team that has the lead (unless all parties agree to replay a full game).
If the game is tied, the game must either be fully replayed, or completed through a straight sim.
If you quit a game, you will be automatically dismissed from the league
SuperSims and Vs CPU games are NOT permitted; this will result in an automatic dismissal from the league.
Admins have final say on forcing wins from disconnected games.
**SECTION 4: GM RULES**
Team Switching
Team switching is only permissible if league admins approve.
Factors include:
Moving Superstar, X-factor players, or 90 Overall Players, and also salary cap situation.
You may only switch teams one (1) time only
You CANNOT fire and hire coaches in season 1. You MUST use the staff already assigned to each team.
- Cannot fire/hire/replace coaches midseason. You can only change one during the offseason and you cannot steal from another team.
NEW COACH RULE
If you joined the league Week 8 or later of the current season (trade deadline), you get (1) additional Franchise Tag to use on a player.
- This is to combat the game mechanics, where new owners might come in and players shut down negotiations (or already shutdown against previous owner)
- The Franchise Tag is an expensive system, but it will grant you an additional year with players you might've lost not of your own fault, and will allow you to renegotiate with them or trade them.
- Keep in mind that the Franchise Tag is a one year deal, with half the value being salary and half being bonus (cap penalty if traded). (IE. 1 year Franchise Tag worth 16M is 8M in salary and 8M in bonus)
- In order for this rule to come into effect, you must follow these steps:
1. Inform a commissioner of your intention to use the additional Franchise Tag
2. Take a screenshot of the player who you wish to use the Franchise Tag on (this will be to verify contract value) and send this to the commissioner
3. Use the Franchise Tag on one player
4. During the Offseason Free Agency period, the other players will be off limits to other users. At this time, you will offer them the EXACT value of the franchise tag from the image sent to a commissioner
5. If they do not accept during the offseason, you'll be able to sign them to a contract during the preseason and the commissioner will adjust their contract to match the franchise tag value.
CONTRACTS
Maximum Length
The maximum length for a custom contract in GZ is FOUR (4) years. If one of the provided contracts is for 5+ years, users must post a picture showing the unedited offer in their 1-on-1. Failure to do so will result in the player's contract being set to 4 years for the same amount of money as the larger contract (so bigger Cap Hit)
*Bonus Money*
You may not drop a player and resign them to a cheaper one (1) year FA contract
EDITING PLAYERS
- You cannot edit the Name, Handedness, Height, Weight, or Throwing Motion of your players. Anyone caught doing so will be subject to suspension.
- You can edit uniform items like sleeves, helmets, etc.
POSITION CHANGES
*PLAYERS WITH ABILITIES (SuperStar/SuperStar X-Factors) CANNOT HAVE THEIR POSITION CHANGED*
(1 Re-Roll per User per Madden Iteration is allowed but MUST be done by an Admin)
**X-FACTOR AND SUPERSTAR ABILITY SELECTION**
You have the opportunity to choose the abilities for **TWO (2)** players.
- Your Keeper, who is a Madden generated player on your team that was brought over from the previous edition of the game.
- One non-keeper player, or "real life" player on your roster.
Other than that, you cannot edit the abilities of anyone else on your team.
**IMPORTANT TO NOTE**: You can only make these changes one (1) time per cycle! Once you change the player's abilities you will not be allowed to change them again!
The following additional situations do exist and **you must inform an admin before attempting to address them**. Any attempts to make changes without alerting admins will result in the player being regressed to STAR Dev and losing their abilities:
1) If you have a player with any of the listed free re-roll abilities, you get a FREE reroll of that player for THAT ABILITY SLOT ONLY:
*If a player is rerolled for one of the following ability slots, and happens to gain another ability you like in a different ability slot, you are not allowed to keep it and it will be reset to the original ability in the non-freeroll slot.*
*Also note that some players have special ability slots where they can have an ability not normally allowed in that slot (IE. LOLB Von Miller with Edge Threat and Adrenaline Rush, both Slot 2 abilities) that, if you reroll, you might lose the second ability as well. In that instance, admins will select the ability closest to the one you lost. While Von Miller likely wouldn't be susceptible to this as both of his abilities are useful, if you have a player with a special circumstance, keep this in mind before requesting the player be position changed or rerolled)*
2) The following abilities are BANNED and cannot be selected, due to their OP nature.
a) QB X-Factor OMAHA (see DB playart, pre-snap)
b) MLB X-Factor AVALANCHE (guaranteed fumble on hit sticks toward the line of scrimmage)
c) MLB X-Factor MIND READER (can see offensive playart)
d) S Superstar FILM STUDY (see previous play offensive playart)
e) K/P cannot have abilities. (Clutch Kicker/Focus Kicker)
3) The MLB Superstar Ability ENFORCER (guaranteed tackle on a hitstick) is a limited ability that can only be selected if the following requirements are met:
a) You cannot have another player with ENFORCER on your roster.
b) Player must be above a 90ovr in the Run Stopper archetype.
4) X-Factors will be limited by the Archetypes of your player to some extent.
The following are the options regarding X-Factor ability selections:
a) You may keep whatever initial X-Factor ability is given by the game
b) You may select any X-Factor ability that falls under your players PRIMARY ARCHETYPE in the chart.
c) You may also select any X-Factor ability that falls under an Archetype that you are above 60 OVR in.
X-FACTOR ABILITIES AND THE ARCHETYPES
See #xf-and-ss-ability-list on the Discord under League Announcements.
RESTRICTED/LIMITED ABILITIES
- Middle Linebacker (Superstar) - Enforcer [Limited]
- Defensive Player (Superstar) - Lurker
If you have any questions, feel free to pose them to an admin, or specifically tag me or shoot me a DM and we can discuss your options and considerations. Good luck and enjoy your new capability of molding your select players with abilities.
Approved Position Moves for Players:
FB at HB and TE
TE and HB at FB.
O-Linemen can play anywhere on the O-Line.
Front 7 players can play anywhere in the Front 7. (DE, DT, LB)
Secondary players can play anywhere in Secondary. (CB, FS, SS)
Safeties can be used in the SUBLB Depth Chart spot
A player must be at a position they played at professionally (or in college for rookies). To change their position outside of the already approved changes, you must get admin approval.
Roster Minimum
Fifty (50) players
Trades
Three (3) Trades per Season
This resets after the Superbowl and extends until the trade deadline
All Trades Must Be Approved By Admins
Blockbuster Trades
Trades that involve a ninety plus (90+) overall player, Superstar player, or an X-Factor player
One (1) Blockbuster trade per season, per owner
This counts for both owner parties involved
Trade Process
Trades must be posted in the Pending Trades Channel
Once the trade is SUBMITTED and both teams apply their team Emote, the trade cannot be reversed, unless it has been denied by the approval committee or both parties agree to cancel the trade.
The Committee has 48 hours to vote.
Trade Review Factors
The trade may not impact the overall balance of the League
The trade may not be lopsided
New owners can NOT trade a Superstar or X -Factor player until they have played 4 games.
The trade may not take advantage of a new owner; the owner may not try and dump a contract for whatever they can get cheap.
The trade may not negatively impact the future cap for the team
Miscellaneous Rules
All games MUST be streamed by BOTH teams (All Accounts must be set to ARCHIVE/STORE game videos)
If you cannot stream, contact an admin beforehand in your 1 on 1 channel.
Home team has the first option to send a game invite.
All owners MUST participate in the offseason.
CFM’s are about building your teams AND playing your games.
You are expected to scout, participate in the draft, and participate in the offseason free-agency
Not doing so can set your team back and hurt your team overall. If you were to leave, the team would be left in terrible shape for a future owner
Everyone must set their draft board. We understand that emergencies occur, so this is a safety net to protect everyone’s teams and situations
If there are any concerns or questions in these regards, communicate with the League Admin(s)
Section 5: Discord Rules
Breaking any of these rules can subject you to immediate removal
We have ZERO TOLERANCE
No harassment of any form. Refer to our Culture and Integrity.
No threats of any form. (E.g. death, physical, etc.)
Be respectful of each other. Refer to our Culture and Integrity.
Smack talk is allowed within reason. Do not take it too far. Respect the top rules in this regard.
Overall, have good gamesmanship (take your losses as well as your wins)
If you have any issues, feel free to communicate to the League Admins either through the 1:1 Team Helpline Chat Channel(s) or DM.
We are here, first and foremost, for all of you.