LDFL Rules

 

Rosters

Each team will consist of the following players:

 

3 Quarterbacks

4 Running Backs

4 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

3 Kickers

2 Team Defenses/Special Teams

 

Transactions

Each LDFL team is allowed three roster changes per season. Teams may replace players any time after the completion of games for that week, however, free agent claims will not be processed until 9 PM on the Wednesday following that week’s games. If two or more teams select the same player within that time period, the player will be assigned to the team with the worse record. In case of a tie, the team with fewer points scored for the season will be assigned the player. In case of an additional tie, the team with the worse record from the prior season will be assigned the player. When a player is assigned to the team, the team must immediately release a player from their current roster that plays the same position to make room for the new player. This player becomes a free agent and is eligible to be selected by any LDFL team. All players claimed after Wednesday will be assigned to the first team making the claim.

 

Trades

Players may be traded freely between LDFL teams with no restrictions on positions or number of players. When trades are completed, both teams rosters must comply with the rule on roster size. This may mean teams will need to release extra players if the team has too many players at one position or sign free agents if the team does not have enough players at a position. Free agents signed to fill open positions are subject to using one of the team’s three transactions and must be claimed in the same process as all free agents. Teams may trade future draft picks in exchange for other draft picks or players. The LDFL trading deadline is the end of the Monday Night Game of NFL week 11.

 

Schedule

The LDFL schedule consists of 14 head to head games between two LDFL teams. Each team will face all other LDFL teams twice per season. The schedule will be determined by the commissioner prior to the season beginning. The LDFL season will commence in week 1 and end in week 14. The semifinal playoffs will occur in week 15 and the LDFL championship game will be played in week 16.

 

Starting Lineup

Each week, prior to the first game on Sunday, each LDFL team must name a starting lineup consisting of the following players from their roster:

 

1 Quarterback

2 Running Backs

2 Wide Receivers

1 Kicker

1 Defense/Special Team

 

If an NFL game is scheduled before Sunday, teams must announce that players in those games will be in their lineup for that week. The balance of the lineup can then be named before the Sunday games. Lineups cannot be changed once NFL games have begun for that week.

 

Any team that fails to provide the LDFL commissioner with a lineup before the lineup deadline will use the team’s lineup from the previous week.

 

Scoring

All quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers in the starting lineup will score points based on the following:

 

1 point for every 20 yards passing

1 point for every 10 yards rushing

1 point for every 10 yards receiving

4 points for every touchdown scored passing, rushing or receiving

2 points for every two point conversion scored

-1 point for every interception thrown

 

The kicker in the starting lineup will accumulate points based on:

 

3 points for every field goal from 1-44 yards

4 points for every field goal 45+ yards

1 point for every extra point

 

The defense and special team unit in the starting lineup will accumulate points based on:

 

1 point for every sack or interception

4 points for any touchdown scored on an interception or fumble recovery

4 points for any touchdown scored on a kickoff or punt return

2 points for a safety

5 points for a shutout of the defense’s opponent

4 points for holding the opponent between 2 and 9 points

2 points for holding the opponent between 10 and 19 points

4 points for any field goal or punt block returned for a touchdown

 

Offensive players that score a touchdown on a fumble recovery do not receive points for a touchdown. The team defense also does not score points for a touchdown scored by an offensive fumble recovery.

 

The team that tallies the most points among their starting lineups will be determined as the winner of the game. Regular season games may end in ties. Playoff games that are tied will be resolved by comparing the points scored by the team’s reserve players that are not in the starting lineup. The two players from each team’s reserves that score the most points will be compared, and the team with the player with the higher score will be declared the winner. The tie breaking procedure will continue in the same manner with the second highest scoring players should the highest scoring players also be tied. This process will continue until the tie is broken.

 

Playoff teams

The four teams with the highest winning percentages at the end of the fourteen week season will be eligible for the playoffs. Teams that are tied in winning percentage will have the tie broken by:

 

-         Head to head record

-         Highest total points scored against all teams

-         Highest total points in games played head to head

-         Record versus playoff teams

-         Highest total points versus playoff teams

 

Playoff schedule

The playoffs will be scheduled in tournament format, with the first place team playing the fourth place team, and the second place team playing the third place team in the semifinals. The winners in the semifinal games will advance and play in the championship game.

 

Unused Transactions

No transactions are allowed after the end of the Monday Night Game in week 14. Teams in the playoffs may only replace injured players if the team cannot field a starting lineup due to the injuries to the players at that position on their roster. The player replacing the injured player must be released following the playoffs or when the injured player returns.

 

The LDFL Championship Trophy

The LDFL trophy will remain in possession of the winner of the LDFL championship game until a new champion is determined the following season. At that point, the former champion will deliver to the new champion the trophy within two weeks of the championship game.

 

Unused Transactions

At the end of Week 17, teams have until the end of the Super Bowl to use their unused season transactions to claim a free agent to add to their roster. Following the same rules for transactions during the regular season, teams can claim a player by Wednesday at 9:00. Transactions after this deadline and the end of the Super Bowl are all made on a first come, first serve basis. Teams may not make any claims if they have used all three transactions during the regular season.

 

Off Season Transactions

Between the Pro Bowl and the completion of the LDFL draft, no free agent may be added to the team roster. Players may be released at any time and trades between LDFL teams may be completed. If trades result in open positions on the team roster, those positions may not be filled until the LDFL draft.

 

The LDFL Draft

The LDFL draft will commence each August at a date determined by the commissioner. The draft order will be determined by the previous season’s winning percentage of all teams. The team with the lowest winning percentage will choose first, the second lowest second and onwards. The LDFL champion always chooses eighth in each round, regardless of regular season winning percentage. Ties will be broken in the same manner as playoff ties.

 

The draft is four official rounds. The round continues until the LDFL champion selects. The next round begins with the team with the worst winning percentage selecting, followed by the second worst and onwards.

 

Players are eligible for the LDFL draft if they are not on any LDFL roster, and they are also no longer eligible to play in college. Players may be drafted that are in other professional leagues (CFL, Arena, etc) or if they are suspended by the NFL.