Rules
In the BDML we expect ALL owners to act like adults and play the game straight up. Use YIM and the forums to schedule games and show some respect to your fellow GM’s. We are not gonna make a ton of rules nobody will read anyway. We will keep the rules simple and to the point.
BDML RULES
BDML Golden Rule: Don’t be dickhead:
This is the overarching rule … the piece de’ resistance … the integrating motif of all the rules that govern BDML. It has been in place since day 1 and it continues to act as the common-sense approach to how you should conduct yourselves in the BDML community. On the boards, on mic and in games. Should you ever have a question about what to do or how you should act, consult the Golden Rule and let it be your guide.
A final note about rules in general before we get into rules more specifically. We try not to make a ton of rules here. Why not? Two reasons ..
1) The league should be fun and it’s no fun when every aspect of the league requires some sort of ‘official’ ruling. Less rules = more creativity, more creativity = more fun.
2) With the less rules comes responsibility however, so it is the expectation that everyone in the league act like a grown man. Even in the face of something or someone you don’t like. We don’t need to make rules and long as everyone is acting their age.
What is SIM football?
SIM football is what this league is about. It means primarily that you run your club and play your games without the intent to ‘trick AI’ , ‘exploit glitches’ or do anything for which there hasn’t been a precedent set in the NFL. Sim does not mean run the ball on 1st and 2nd down and pass only on third down. You want to run a pass-oriented offense? Go right ahead. You want to blitz like the Steelers? Knock yourself out? Wanna scramble your QB? Enjoy yourself. As long as there is a precedent set in the NFL and your gameplay is not done primarily to exploit AI, then you can proceed knowing that you are a SIM player.
The flipside of this is that SIM football means that your opponent is not supposed to be boring and predictable. Your opponent is not a ‘cheezer’ when he spreads his offense and does a Draw play. He’s not AI-glitching when he establishes his running game to open up his play action pass. It is not un-sim to put a big RB as a FB from time to time. Football (even video game football) is chess match. Strategy, patience and the element of surprise all coming together to produce victory.
Respect:
Show your fellow GM’s respect. No flaming will be tolerated. If you have a problem discuss it like adults. If that does not work STOP and contact a commish. We are all grown men and acting like children is not exceptable in the BDML.
Playing Your Games:
All owners will be expected to schedule there games via YIM and the game scheduling forums. If you have any issue’s contact a commish. GM’s that consistantly forget to schedule or hold up the BDML will be replaced. If you are going to miss a game, use the BDML vacation forums to let us know ahead of time. Those who consistantly miss games with out good reason will be replaced.
Play Sim Football:
This is the one rule that EVERY owner must follow exactly. Play sim style football. The meaning of this rule is simple. Mix up your offense and defense. Do not abuse arcade features of the game and play as they would in the NFL.
Mix it up: The BDML is not a 3 favorite play league. It is not a league that abuses the same defense’s or plays over and over again. We do not tolerate GM’s who call zone defense every passing down and stack the box on every run down. We expect guys to be creative and mix it up. Use the entire playbook on both sides of the ball. The same goes for blitzing and bumb and blitz. Mix it up, do not abuse or over user anything or you won’t last long in the BDML.
Screens & flat passes are not to be abused, use them sparingling. Running is to be 50/50 inside and outside the tackles. This does not mean just run outside all day and then up the gut on short yardage. Mix them up 50/50. Pass plays are to be mixed up. Do not call the same things all day or run the same passes in the same situations all day.
Play Action Passing is not your first option nor should they be used more then non-play action passes. Teams are to set them up with the run, just like in the NFL. They are NOT to be used just to abuse the AI by calling them every other play. Mix them in now and then and use them realistically, not as your main pass plays.
Defense is to play 50/50 man to zone. No exceptions. Also mix up when you call man and zone. Do not play man verse runs and zone verse passes all day, mix up the downs you call them and so on. This goes for blitzing as well, mix them up and what player you blitz or downs you do it on.
Basically mix it up, do not call the same stuff all day or take advantage of flaws. We are all adults who claim to be sim, so just do it.
Cornebacks to Wide Receiver Ratio: This rule is situational. Basically be sim. Do not abuse quarters or dimes verse two WR’s all day. If its 3rd and long and a sure fire passing situation its fine call quarters. If its 1st and 10 and you have a lead in the game be sim. Bottom line we do not want to see guys getting a lead then abusing this aspect of the game. We are adults and play for fun, if GM’s can’t play as the NFL would play in this aspect or any other aspect of the game they won’t last long in the BDML.
4th Down Rule:
Some leagues make this rule very complicated but we intend to keep it as simple as possible. Basically, play as the NFL would play. Do not abuse this aspect of the game and be realistic with your calls. If it is a position on the field or time in the game that real NFL teams would consider going for it, then so be it. Just be sim, mix up your play calls when you do go for it and do not abuse the openess of this rule.
Trade Rules:
League trade salary cap. Total allowed per season 14m
Player value
Players rated – 70-75 cost – 1.5m
Players rated – 76-80 cost – 1m
Players rated – 81-85 cost – 2m
Players rated – 86-90 cost – 3m
Players rated – 91-95 cost -4m
Players rated – 96-99 cost – 5m
Draft pick value
Round 1 – cost – 3m
Round 2 – cost – 2m
Round 3 – cost – 1m
Rounds 4-7 can not be traded.
- In season trading period last from week 1 to week 6.
- Post Season trading is from the day after the Super Bowl and last until the end of the draft.
- Teams are allowed to trade a total combined 14m in points during the two trading periods.
Trade committee approves all trades during the regular season
Commish. Approves trades during the post season
Trades must be submitted in the following format:
Name: Joe Blow
Pos: WR
Ovr: 84
Age: 24
Points: 2m
Total points: 2m
Browns send:
Name: Jack Offerman
Pos: CB
Ovr: 83
Age: 26
Points: 2m
1st rnd pick: 3m
Total points: 5m
GM’s must also post their total points per trade at the end.
Again trades must be approved by the staff before it is processed on the ONLINE FRANCHISE. Trades will be turned off so you wont be able to offer the trade but we will process it ourselves.
A Few Notes on Trades
ANY FREE AGENTS PICKED UP MAY NOT BE TRADED
ONCE A TRADE IS APPROVED THAT PLAYER / Draft Pick CANT BE RETRADED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING OFFSEASON.
Free Agency:
Teams may sign 1 FA a week. Free agency for each week officially opens 48 hours after each advance. Check the Calendar page on the main BDML site for these days and other important deadlines.
No team will be allowed to stack players via free agency. This means for example, if you already have 4 starting linebackers rated highly do not hog up the top free agent LB’s and ect….. The BDML staff reserves the right to over ride any free agent signing if this aspect is not followed.
Manual Player Movement:
Manual player movement of any kind before the snap is prohibited. The only pre-snap movement allowed is through Madden adjustments. This goes for all three areas of the game, offense, defense and special teams. Set up your audibles before the game and this should not be a problem. Again NO pre-snap manual movement allowed.
Players can NOT be moved back on punts or kick returns to set up unrealistic blocks. There is NO movement allowed on Kick or Punt returns, to set up blocks. That creates an unrealistic special teams blocking alignment and is NOT sim. Players have designed blocking schemes in those situations and manually adjusting that is banned.
This basically means you may not move anyone on returns except the returner, after he catches the ball or to run to the ball if a squib / onside kick is attempted. This goes for kick, punt blocks and FG’s as well.
When controlling a player:
You may control any player you want BUT when you do they are to be used realistically. This does not mean control the DE and chase WR’s with him, or control the MLB and run all over the middle of the field with him. It means keep them where the play calls for. Example: If you control the MLB and the play is designed to cover the TE then he is to cover the TE, not chase a WR. Follow what the play calls NOTHING more.
Just running all over the field with the defensive controlled player is NOT realism nor is it sim. Players are to do what the play calls for, not just freelance as you wish.
New GM Rule:
All new GM’s must play two consecutive games before being able to make a trade. (more to come soon)
If the game is still with in reach it should be replayed. 11 points down with an entire quarter to go would mean the game was still either teams to win.
Disconnections:
Disco’s happen, if teams think they are fishy talk to a commish before replaying, but unless it is a complete blow out and the game is already over replay them please. Its only fair to both GM’s if it is a no fault disco.
These rules are a starting point and subject to change at anytime for any reason s check back often for more or updated rules.